9 replies to this topic

[Preecey]

I have attached a picture of my ankle showing the break I sustained in March this year.  I am hoping someone has had a similar injury or know someone who has, who can share with me their recovery story.  It is still feeling very average and running is a definite no-no.  Walking is basically fine, but any impact is not good.  Hoping to hear how others have recovered from such an injury, which I have been led to believe is not too common.

Attached Files

•  ankle.jpg   48.93K   112 downloads

[NeillS]

I've seen a few medial malleolus breaks like that over the years. Did you have it pinned up through the tibia?

The problem with them is that they are intra-articular (meaning the cartilage on the inferior surface of the tibia there is cracked through), the bone often heals well but the cartilage on the inside is left rough and uneven at the fracture line, meaning it's prone to injury. It could be 12 months before you're running well again unfortunately mate, time will tell - but for god's sake don't rush it otherwise you'll end up with a chronic injury there.

[Preecey]

NeillS, on Jul 12 2010, 10:30 PM, said:

I've seen a few medial malleolus breaks like that over the years. Did you have it pinned up through the tibia?

The problem with them is that they are intra-articular (meaning the cartilage on the inferior surface of the tibia there is cracked through), the bone often heals well but the cartilage on the inside is left rough and uneven at the fracture line, meaning it's prone to injury. It could be 12 months before you're running well again unfortunately mate, time will tell - but for god's sake don't rush it otherwise you'll end up with a chronic injury there.

Thanks NeillS;

It wasn't pinned.  The ortho was keen to avoid it and just scanned it weekly to make sure it was staying put.  I am going to see someone today who might be able to give me more guidance.  I have every confidence in the ortho, but his emphasis is on seeing as many patients as possible and doesn't have the time or interest to say anything more than he has to:)

[Sarge]

Preecy,

  Bad luck about the break. The picture of your ankle is fantastic. It obviously isn't an xray, so what machine produced the picture?

[Preecey]

Sarge, on Jul 13 2010, 08:47 AM, said:

Preecy,

  Bad luck about the break. The picture of your ankle is fantastic. It obviously isn't an xray, so what machine produced the picture?

Actually, I took it with my mobile phone:))

No, seriously, it is a CT scan.  That is just one photo of a complete 3d image of the whole lower leg.  Quite amazing, I agree; unlike the injury which, excuse the pun, is shattering!

[ARSENAL]

Preecey . I had a real bad break myself amny many years ago and remember that the pain was worse than anything i had delt with before .It took me six months before i could even wlk properly and the 12 before i was able to play bball again and then it was a very slow precess to get back to the ful swing of it.

It will take time but you need to be calm about it so many times  i thought i was doing ok and pushed myslef a bit just wanting to paly again and then found it put me back a few weeks .its all go now though.


BTW how did you do it anyway

ARSENAL

[Preecey]

ARSENAL, on Jul 13 2010, 09:22 AM, said:

Preecey . I had a real bad break myself amny many years ago and remember that the pain was worse than anything i had delt with before .It took me six months before i could even wlk properly and the 12 before i was able to play bball again and then it was a very slow precess to get back to the ful swing of it.

It will take time but you need to be calm about it so many times  i thought i was doing ok and pushed myslef a bit just wanting to paly again and then found it put me back a few weeks .its all go now though.


BTW how did you do it anyway

ARSENAL

I was running and my heel went down a sloped gutter.  I then rolled the ankle out.  I then went A over and heard an almighty 'crack', then discovered I had lost the ability to walk!  What made it worse was at the time I did it I was thinking about what pace I was going to run at in the Frankston to Portsea 55k.  I was also on track to go sub 3.00.00 for a marathon for the first time, which was scheduled for May.  Very, VERY frustrating all-round!

[NeillS]

yeah get someone to check it out. if the pain is actually coming from the cartilage surfaces then really all it needs is time and strength work to stabilise the joint. It is entirely possible the pain is no longer coming from the fracture though, for example a lot of people have problems with the tib. post. tendon sheath after an injury like that, so separating out what is actually the structure causing pain is very important to achieving resolution of the injury!

[JXT]

Bad luck Preecey.
All I can add is that you can't rush the recovery. I broke my right ankle playing basketball when I was 16 and was given the all clear six weeks later (it was a minor break). First game back, snapped it again (much worse) after about seven minutes game time - ruined my rep career on the spot. Took six months before I could do any real exercise on it.
Don't rush it, but hopefully you can recover from it.

Cheers,
JXT

[Leofisio]

Preecey,

I have seen quite a few fractures like yours... and the prognosis is good... I can't think a reason why you could't run in the future... after healing + physio you will be 100% IMO.

Leo