Ankle injury recovery time

[sbloom]

Physio stuff will be necessary but I would also involve someone like Rider Reboot, PB Movement or someone trained with something like Be Activated. If you're not roping in your brain and other systems to help then you're not doing everything possible, and we all know that us horse riders need to get back to as fit and strong as we can.

 

[RHM]

Physio stuff will be necessary but I would also involve someone like Rider Reboot, PB Movement or someone trained with something like Be Activated. If you're not roping in your brain and other systems to help then you're not doing everything possible, and we all know that us horse riders need to get back to as fit and strong as we can.

Good advice! Desperate to get back as quickly and as strong as possible!

 

[conniegirl]

I fell down the stairs, dislocated my ankle and tore all the ligaments in the outside of my right ankle.
I was told it would have been far better if it had broken instead.

i spent 18 months on crutches and doing physio, but it collapsed again on another flight of stairs as it was so unstable. I had an operation that took ligament from my calf and reconstructed the ligaments and tendons on my ankle.
8 months later i was back to doing everything i had done before the accident.
now you wouldnt know i had done anything if it wasn’t for the scar.
it does occasionally swell if i spend all day on my feet but it soon goes when i put my feet up. the scar has some added sensation that makes certain types of shoe uncomfortable to wear (those with a ridge on that part of my ankle).

 

[Barton Bounty]

I went for private physio and felt that made a difference ?

 

[RHM]

I fell down the stairs, dislocated my ankle and tore all the ligaments in the outside of my right ankle.
I was told it would have been far better if it had broken instead.

i spent 18 months on crutches and doing physio, but it collapsed again on another flight of stairs as it was so unstable. I had an operation that took ligament from my calf and reconstructed the ligaments and tendons on my ankle.
8 months later i was back to doing everything i had done before the accident.
now you wouldnt know i had done anything if it wasn’t for the scar.
it does occasionally swell if i spend all day on my feet but it soon goes when i put my feet up. the scar has some added sensation that makes certain types of shoe uncomfortable to wear (those with a ridge on that part of my ankle).

That sounds like an awful injury!! 18 months is savage, how did you manage your horses during that time? Not being able to drive is killing me off and it’s only been a week. On the verge of selling my car and getting an automatic already ?
Glad that all is OK after your operation, annoying they didn’t offer that sooner though!

 

[SOS]

I injured my achilles 7 years ago, which I did rest as was awful, and then ligaments in the same ankle a year later. It was bad and was extremely painful to ride on and when walking all day it would throb in the evening. Unfortunately I was working as a groom at the time, as well as at university, so had no choice but to keep going if I wanted to work.

I did not follow physiotherapy properly or rest enough following the ligament damage and subsequently the problem has taken a long time to fix. Six years on it is better but still get the odd day it’s painful, often if I’ve been to the gallops or done a lot of standing in the stirrups. I was a keen runner before these and I still cannot run, as soon as a build up to 5k plus, my ankle becomes painful.

I know it’s not what you want to hear but if I could go back in time I’d rest it fully, do the physio to a T and not ride until I was much better. Make sure you tell the physio you ride - our ankles have to support a lot!

 

[RHM]

I injured my achilles 7 years ago, which I did rest as was awful, and then ligaments in the same ankle a year later. It was bad and was extremely painful to ride on and when walking all day it would throb in the evening. Unfortunately I was working as a groom at the time, as well as at university, so had no choice but to keep going if I wanted to work.

I did not follow physiotherapy properly or rest enough following the ligament damage and subsequently the problem has taken a long time to fix. Six years on it is better but still get the odd day it’s painful, often if I’ve been to the gallops or done a lot of standing in the stirrups. I was a keen runner before these and I still cannot run, as soon as a build up to 5k plus, my ankle becomes painful.

I know it’s not what you want to hear but if I could go back in time I’d rest it fully, do the physio to a T and not ride until I was much better. Make sure you tell the physio you ride - our ankles have to support a lot!

Thanks for the warning! Off to get another ice pack on it!!
Seems like I will need a fair bit of patience with it.

 

[conniegirl]

That sounds like an awful injury!! 18 months is savage, how did you manage your horses during that time? Not being able to drive is killing me off and it’s only been a week. On the verge of selling my car and getting an automatic already ?
Glad that all is OK after your operation, annoying they didn’t offer that sooner though!

my husband looked after my horses for the most part, that and i had a super easy horse at the time who was happy to pootle alongside me whilst i led him in from the field on crutches.

they wanted to try physio before going for the major operation, it did genuinely seem to be getting better until it gave again and did more damage.

 

[Muddy unicorn]

My son did a similar injury on his first day at university (playing American football ?) - the hospital doctor told him that some ankle soft tissue injuries are worse than breaking the bone. He was on crutches for four weeks and still wears an ankle support when exercising as that ankle is definitely weaker than the other side. It takes time, rest, ice, elevation but he’s back to doing everything he was before (although rugby rather than American football..)

 

[RHM]

my husband looked after my horses for the most part, that and i had a super easy horse at the time who was happy to pootle alongside me whilst i led him in from the field on crutches.

they wanted to try physio before going for the major operation, it did genuinely seem to be getting better until it gave again and did more damage.

What a good husband! My boyfriend has been helping but I can tell it’s wearing thin! ?? I think I will be riding my pony in and leading my bigger one soon. The hobble there and back on crutches is tough going!

Fair enough, seems like it’s quite easy to re-damage once it’s injured.

 

[RHM]

My son did a similar injury on his first day at university (playing American football ?) - the hospital doctor told him that some ankle soft tissue injuries are worse than breaking the bone. He was on crutches for four weeks and still wears an ankle support when exercising as that ankle is definitely weaker than the other side. It takes time, rest, ice, elevation but he’s back to doing everything he was before (although rugby rather than American football..)

Glad to hear he is back on his feet! Terrible timing doing that on his first day! Yeah the hospital said to me it would have been better if I broke it. Joys!
Four weeks I can live with! I can’t wait to be able to drive again and I don’t have to rely on everyone else!

 

[lynz88]

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

I've given kinesiology tape a go even though this made me think twice and have to say it has made it about 80% better. I got about 70% improvement from just taping between the ankle and 5th metatarsal around the bottom of the foot and around the ankle avoiding the Achilles and under the ankle bone to hook around. I have got about 80% improvement by taping the outer side, under the ankle bone and up the leg followed by the first taping ontop.