Ankle injury recovery time

[RHM]

Hey lovely people!
Has anyone here had an ankle ligament injury? I’m on day two and I’m going out of my mind ?

I came off going XC and have torn some ligaments (both upper and lower ankle sprain) grade 3 lower grade 2 upper. So not ideal. The hospital won’t give me any time frames for when I can get on again.

Has anyone here done anything similar and if so what was the recovery like?

I have physio booked in for two weeks time once the swelling has hopefully gone. But I’m currently non weight bearing and hobbling about is driving me actually mental.

Trying to decide if it’s worth paying a pro to keep my mare fit or starting an early winter break!

Any tips for helping me heal would also be greatly appreciated! I am finally getting good use out of my mares ice boots at least!

 

[Gloi]

About 10 years so far ? Sorry. Mine keep re-tearing unless I wear my walking boots at all times. Keep them well supported so you don't end up like me.

 

[lynz88]

Ouch. Sorry to hear!! Not an ankle but I've done in the peroneaus brevis tendon in my foot. I've stupidly tried exercising with very bad results throwing off my SI again so will need to refrain and also going out of my mind. Thankfully already had chiro/physio booked in as a general follow up to my SI problems and was debating on canceling as all was going well but am going to now keep the appointment ?

I would think you might be looking at at least 8 weeks healing time if not potentially slightly longer depending on how it heals.

 

[RHM]

About 10 years so far ? Sorry. Mine keep re-tearing unless I wear my walking boots at all times. Keep them well supported so you don't end up like me.

Oh no!! Bless you that sounds awful! Not the good news story I was after ?

 

[RHM]

Ouch. Sorry to hear!! Not an ankle but I've done in the peroneaus brevis tendon in my foot. I've stupidly tried exercising with very bad results throwing off my SI again so will need to refrain and also going out of my mind. Thankfully already had chiro/physio booked in as a general follow up to my SI problems and was debating on canceling as all was going well but am going to now keep the appointment ?

I would think you might be looking at at least 8 weeks healing time if not potentially slightly longer depending on how it heals.

That sounds painful!! It’s so hard to actually rest though isn’t it when you are used to being so active.

8 weeks really will put us into the depths of winter ?

 

[lynz88]

Ugh 8 weeks is a long, long, long time lol! Tbf this has been a year of injuries for me starting last Nov/Dec when lovely horse crushed some toes resulting in a bone bruise and some squished ligaments in my toes....followed by tennis elbow a few months later (which I don't think will ever fully heal), followed by my SI finally being in so much pain that I needed to actually do something about it and undergoing quite a lot of chiro work (the main source of that was being kicked in the hip/glute about 15 years ago and subsequent injuries and compensatory movements after that), and now the foot.

Very, very hard not to be active and especially when you rely on it as a way of maintaining sanity.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Not an ankle, but I am just healing from a mcl tear in left knee since april! But slowly getting better
Also perineal tendonitis in right foot!
Fallin to bits ?

Never stopped riding at all though, just strapped it up

 

[RHM]

Ugh 8 weeks is a long, long, long time lol! Tbf this has been a year of injuries for me starting last Nov/Dec when lovely horse crushed some toes resulting in a bone bruise and some squished ligaments in my toes....followed by tennis elbow a few months later (which I don't think will ever fully heal), followed by my SI finally being in so much pain that I needed to actually do something about it and undergoing quite a lot of chiro work (the main source of that was being kicked in the hip/glute about 15 years ago and subsequent injuries and compensatory movements after that), and now the foot.

Very, very hard not to be active and especially when you rely on it as a way of maintaining sanity.

Not sure you would pass a vetting anytime soon ? hopefully you get sorted!

I am literally losing my mind and it’s been 2 days ? I don’t think I have 8 weeks in me!

 

[RHM]

Not an ankle, but I am just healing from a mcl tear in left knee since april! But slowly getting better
Also perineal tendonitis in right foot!
Fallin to bits ?

Never stopped riding at all though, just strapped it up

Like your style! I think some vet wrap round the outside of my boot may be in order!

The only issue is I can’t get any shoes on at all yet ? I have an elephant foot! It’s a strong look for me let me tell you!

 

[Izzwall]

As someone who's had a serious foot injury for over a year now I wholey sympathise!! Ligament tears are a nightmare as they never heal back to how they originally were. Scar tissue forms instead and is weaker, which then makes it easier to tear the ligament again at a later date. So basically there will always be a weakness in that ligament. I partially snapped my lisfranc ligament and took the bone it was attached to with it, plus dislocated the first metatarsal that joins onto the midfoot and damaged my navicular joint. I was in cast this time last year and it sucked! Then in an air boot until January. I went from being crazy active walking 30k steps a day as a freelance groom to literally nothing! Couldn't work or exercise for 7 months.
Keep telling yourself it's not forever and in the mean time enjoy a bit of downtime! Lose yourself in a good TV series, get involved in a time consuming tablet game (I started building a city which was so addictive whilst listening to music) or research horsey stuff etc. Made the time fly so quickly but then again I'm easily amused ?
The sooner you get the physio the better as strengthening other structures around the injury really helps! I was back riding occasionally 3 months after injury but I did suffer massively afterwards and trying to dismount onto one foot was a bit dodgy! I couldn't ride with stirrups and getting on a horse who hadn't been ridden in a while was probably not the best idea at times ? so gave up for another 4-5 months to let my injury heal more.
My surgeon wants to fuse my foot now with plates/screws and bone grafts so will be back to your position with no weight bearing for 12 weeks. I am tempted to put it off though as I'm slightly terrified and the thought of going back to square 1 again makes me want to cry ?

P. S icing behind the knee somehow really helps if it's particularly painful and keep it elevated!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I tore tendons and ligaments at the back and front of my ankle and foot when I broke my ankle, the break was basically fixed by a surgical plate and I was told to walk on it after 2 weeks.

Because of all the soft tissue damage I just couldn't walk totally lost the that reflex in my foot, I had a surgical boot for ages because I couldn't put anything else on my foot, eventually I managed to get a pair of my yard boots on but could only shuffle around.

I had some physio they told me to put the ball of my foot on a step and lower the heal down as that was what I was struggling to do hence why I couldn't walk properly.

I'm not kidding it took a good 4 months before I could do anything without it hurting and being extremely difficult, when I started riding my whole lower leg would shake as it was so weak.

I hired a sports laser for it which you use everyday and I bought ankle supports which I think really helped, in the evening I would always elevate it or it would swell up even 4 years on if I am standing for long periods it will swell up although it never hurts now.

My advice would be go to a very good physio, I was offered an NHS 6 week course and it was the best thing I ever did, it really helped strengthen everything and I remember I actually cried when the 6 weeks was over as I didn't want it to stop, although a lot of what they do you can do at home on your own which is what I did.

I started riding after about 4 months but was pretty hard and I couldn't ride for too long.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Like your style! I think some vet wrap round the outside of my boot may be in order!

The only issue is I can’t get any shoes on at all yet ? I have an elephant foot! It’s a strong look for me let me tell you!

Plenty of anti inflammatories and rest and elevate when you can ,I didnt take any time off work and I have a manual job, just hobbled along lol

 

[Skib]

The general rule is 6 weeks for both bone and soft tissue injury. But when I broke my right ankle, I went to the fracture clinic and then had private physio.
Physio is important and possibly eventually with a balance board.
My x rays showed that I had snapped off the tip of a bone and the specialist told me that would never heal, so I needed to warn the medics at any future X ray.
I discovered after lock down and not riding for a year that moutning and riding does involve ankle stregth and I did exercises off the NHS website. I also bought some long elastic stretch bands but did not use them much.
My right ankle does still hurt a bit at this moment but I rode yesterday with a lot of rising trot and forward seat canter and am probably much older than you being over 80.
I did wear an elastic bandage after the break but then the hospital told me not to.

 

[RHM]

As someone who's had a serious foot injury for over a year now I wholey sympathise!! Ligament tears are a nightmare as they never heal back to how they originally were. Scar tissue forms instead and is weaker, which then makes it easier to tear the ligament again at a later date. So basically there will always be a weakness in that ligament. I partially snapped my lisfranc ligament and took the bone it was attached to with it, plus dislocated the first metatarsal that joins onto the midfoot and damaged my navicular joint. I was in cast this time last year and it sucked! Then in an air boot until January. I went from being crazy active walking 30k steps a day as a freelance groom to literally nothing! Couldn't work or exercise for 7 months.
Keep telling yourself it's not forever and in the mean time enjoy a bit of downtime! Lose yourself in a good TV series, get involved in a time consuming tablet game (I started building a city which was so addictive whilst listening to music) or research horsey stuff etc. Made the time fly so quickly but then again I'm easily amused ?
The sooner you get the physio the better as strengthening other structures around the injury really helps! I was back riding occasionally 3 months after injury but I did suffer massively afterwards and trying to dismount onto one foot was a bit dodgy! I couldn't ride with stirrups and getting on a horse who hadn't been ridden in a while was probably not the best idea at times ? so gave up for another 4-5 months to let my injury heal more.
My surgeon wants to fuse my foot now with plates/screws and bone grafts so will be back to your position with no weight bearing for 12 weeks. I am tempted to put it off though as I'm slightly terrified and the thought of going back to square 1 again makes me want to cry ?

P. S icing behind the knee somehow really helps if it's particularly painful and keep it elevated!

Ouch! Yours sounds very painful!

Thanks for all the tips, absolutely can already tell stirrups may be getting binned off for some time!!

Downtime I’m not very good at! Maybe a new hobby may be in order ?

I don’t blame you for being unsure about surgery. The prospect of going back the beginning must be fairly daunting!!

 

[asmp]

I tore mine about 35 and my ankle can still ache some days plus it doesn’t have as much mobility as the other ankle (I notice in my Pilates class). It is much better riding now I have Acavello stirrups.

 

[RHM]

I tore tendons and ligaments at the back and front of my ankle and foot when I broke my ankle, the break was basically fixed by a surgical plate and I was told to walk on it after 2 weeks.

Because of all the soft tissue damage I just couldn't walk totally lost the that reflex in my foot, I had a surgical boot for ages because I couldn't put anything else on my foot, eventually I managed to get a pair of my yard boots on but could only shuffle around.

I had some physio they told me to put the ball of my foot on a step and lower the heal down as that was what I was struggling to do hence why I couldn't walk properly.

I'm not kidding it took a good 4 months before I could do anything without it hurting and being extremely difficult, when I started riding my whole lower leg would shake as it was so weak.

I hired a sports laser for it which you use everyday and I bought ankle supports which I think really helped, in the evening I would always elevate it or it would swell up even 4 years on if I am standing for long periods it will swell up although it never hurts now.

My advice would be go to a very good physio, I was offered an NHS 6 week course and it was the best thing I ever did, it really helped strengthen everything and I remember I actually cried when the 6 weeks was over as I didn't want it to stop, although a lot of what they do you can do at home on your own which is what I did.

I started riding after about 4 months but was pretty hard and I couldn't ride for too long.

Thanks for this. Four months could make me cry ?‍ I can’t get a single shoe on now and I’m a bridesmaid in 3 weeks! Hoping I will be able to limp down the aisle in trainers at least!!

Physio definitely seems important to recovery. I am booked in for the NHS one in 2 weeks but I have private health insurance with work so might explore that a bit further too. Absolutely desperate to get back on my feet already but it’s looking like it might be a longer road than anticipated!

 

[RHM]

L

The general rule is 6 weeks for both bone and soft tissue injury. But when I broke my right ankle, I went to the fracture clinic and then had private physio.
Physio is important and possibly eventually with a balance board.
My x rays showed that I had snapped off the tip of a bone and the specialist told me that would never heal, so I needed to warn the medics at any future X ray.
I discovered after lock down and not riding for a year that moutning and riding does involve ankle stregth and I did exercises off the NHS website. I also bought some long elastic stretch bands but did not use them much.
My right ankle does still hurt a bit at this moment but I rode yesterday with a lot of rising trot and forward seat canter and am probably much older than you being over 80.
I did wear an elastic bandage after the break but then the hospital told me not to.

Thanks! Yours sounds really nasty! Definitely worried about mounting the most. At the moment that would be completely impossible.
Interesting you used bandages, it says online to use compression but the nurse at the hospital told me not too. Do you think it helped?
At the moment my ankle feels really unstable so I would certainly feel better with some support there!

 

[RHM]

I tore mine about 35 and my ankle can still ache some days plus it doesn’t have as much mobility as the other ankle (I notice in my Pilates class). It is much better riding now I have Acavello stirrups.

Interesting about the stirrups! I’ve heard they can help with knee pain too!

 

[asmp]

Interesting about the stirrups! I’ve heard they can help with knee pain too!

Should have written “35 years ago” ?

 

[lynz88]

Not sure you would pass a vetting anytime soon ? hopefully you get sorted!

I am literally losing my mind and it’s been 2 days ? I don’t think I have 8 weeks in me!

????? I really wouldn't and I'm not that old either!!!

Either way I wish you a speedy recovery!!

 

[lynz88]

Not an ankle, but I am just healing from a mcl tear in left knee since april! But slowly getting better
Also perineal tendonitis in right foot!
Fallin to bits ?

Never stopped riding at all though, just strapped it up

I'm on the fence as to whether my recent foot injury is peroneal tendonitis or peroneus brevis. My ankle isn't affected but the outside of my foot is, right where the tendon/ligament runs connecting the pinky toe to the bone. Either way it's a royal PITA.

I have done the same as you though - strapped up! Vet wrap works really well though I'm thinking I may start using kinesiology tape. I already use a brace just under my elbow to provide support to the tennis elbow and ibuprofen cream when needed (which surprisingly works!).

 

[Barton Bounty]

I'm on the fence as to whether my recent foot injury is peroneal tendonitis or peroneus brevis. My ankle isn't affected but the outside of my foot is, right where the tendon/ligament runs connecting the pinky toe to the bone. Either way it's a royal PITA.

I have done the same as you though - strapped up! Vet wrap works really well though I'm thinking I may start using kinesiology tape. I already use a brace just under my elbow to provide support to the tennis elbow and ibuprofen cream when needed (which surprisingly works!).

Kinesiology tape is brilliant! But it doesnt work on my foot! I can hardly put weight on the outside middle part and its agony, wont keep me from riding lol . But sometimes really hobbling, its sore isnt it x

 

[RHM]

God we really are a lame bunch aren’t we ??

 

[lynz88]

So funny that you are suffering from the same BB! I know exactly what you feel....it feels like the outside of your foot has been bruised but there is no bruise - not even any swelling (at least for me). When I looked it up, it came up as a fairly rare injury but I guess not so much so. Knowing kinesiology tape doesn't work for you, it probably won't work for me either so will save the pennies ? it hasn't stopped me from still moving about and attempting Body Attack but that was a pretty awful idea and won't do it again. I even hiked the Samaria Gorge (actually further as I went up an extra 400m) with it - strangely the uneven terrain and rocks actually felt good on it even though I am quite certain it made it worse.

 

[lynz88]

Haha no pun intended RHM!!!

 

[Barton Bounty]

God we really are a lame bunch aren’t we ??

Id have been PTS a while ago ???

 

[Barton Bounty]

So funny that you are suffering from the same BB! I know exactly what you feel....it feels like the outside of your foot has been bruised but there is no bruise - not even any swelling (at least for me). When I looked it up, it came up as a fairly rare injury but I guess not so much so. Knowing kinesiology tape doesn't work for you, it probably won't work for me either so will save the pennies ? it hasn't stopped me from still moving about and attempting Body Attack but that was a pretty awful idea and won't do it again. I even hiked the Samaria Gorge (actually further as I went up an extra 400m) with it - strangely the uneven terrain and rocks actually felt good on it even though I am quite certain it made it worse.

I can walk fine for a bit , then stand on a stone and it’s uneven… omg!!! Could cry with it

 

[lynz88]

Oh wow yours is worse than mine it seems. I am not quite to that point. I am trying my best to land on the inside of my foot and when I can, keep it elevated and use ice.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Oh wow yours is worse than mine it seems. I am not quite to that point. I am trying my best to land on the inside of my foot and when I can, keep it elevated and use ice.

Yeah I dont have much time for the latter ???

 

[lynz88]

Me neither tbh but I try to fit it in because it does make a difference. I basically try to shove a small ice pack down my sock and do 10 mins on/10 mins off. Now that I've sat down and put my foot up for the day, it is painful and throbbing.