Broken ankle from fall

[Lexie6528]

Hi, i had a pretty bad fall on thursday resulting in me being threw through a wooden fence and breaking my tibia and fibula in my right leg very close to my ankle. From the x-rays theyre pretty clean breaks, the bones are still quite well aligned and im having surgery tmrw morning to ensure a good recovery.
I was just wondering if anyone was to have any ideas as too how i can make my recovery better, and also any recommendations for stirrups, ankle braces, boots or anything of the sort that could help me when im back to riding? And would anyone reccomend physio for my ankle or no?
Thanks for any advice in advance, feel free to share any similar stories and how you recovered from them!!

 

[WandaMare]

Having also broken my tibia and fibula in a fall, I would recommend lots of physio, especially swimming exercises. I found walking in the pool the best way to rebuild muscle and get back to walking properly. After the first 8 weeks, I went to the pool every evening which really helped. For riding I wrapped my leg in tubigrip bandage not so much for support but more because the warmth really helps the healing process, you will find you feel the cold at the site of the injury when riding. All the very best for your surgery and your recovery.

 

[Buster2020]

I recommend swimming and walking in the pool I have broken me wrist badly 2 years ago and my knee cap broke due to arthritis damage 5 years ago .

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

Echo the above but mostly I would recommend not doing too much too soon. Let yourself heal properly...I didn’t take my own advice and I have intermittent sharp pains when stepping backwards and general achey ness. All the best.

 

[Trouper]

All of the above. Firstly, give yourself permission to stop and take time to heal. Then get the best physio you can and follow their advice to the letter. I also found the pool the best way of starting when everything is tender but a good physio will lead you through different stages of strengthening work.
It WILL shorten the overall time this takes if you listen to the professionals and don't try to rush things yourself. It will also reduce the possible ongoing issues from the break.
Sorry you are having to go thro' this and I hope the surgery goes well today.

 

[Michen]

Vet wrap on outside of boot when you start riding again. Best support I found, way better than any specific ankle support which wouldn't fit very well inside a boot anyway.

And try and get back in the saddle as soon as you can if your horse is trustworthy (assuming your surgeon approves, though I didn't wait for that!), the gentle movement in the stirrup accelerated my physio massively. I was back hunting within 8 weeks post surgery and skiing within 3 months. Never had any problems since.

 

[Billyandme]

Broke my ankle beginning of May. Very nasty break. Surgeon described it as very major damage. Straight into surgery and have cross pins both sides, titanium plate and a large vertical post and hok holding it altogether. I was in Hospital for 4 nights. It was bad. Totally non weight-bearing for 1st month and in plaster. Then went into a boot cast and was supposed to st ill non weight-bear but sort of hobbled for a further 6 weeks.

Saw Surgeon again and was told I could fully weight bear. Had private physio who gave me all the right advice and am walking pretty well now But not allowed to ride for another month. I am sticking exactly to the Surgeon instructions. Try and do too much and you will land up going back to square 1, or even worse.

Good luck?

 

[cold_feet]

I broke my ankle 2 years ago. Non-weight bearing for 6 weeks. Then lots of Physio after plaster was off. Weekly sessions for about 6 weeks, then exercises for another 6 til walking was back to normal. Definitely invest in Physio advice/sessions. if you can’t get Physio as soon as you are out of plaster on the nhs, go private, even if just for assessment - they will give you exercises to keep you going.

 

[Billyandme]

On a light note everytime I see the well known celebrity by the initials of KP I literally feel like screaming. Two broken ankles - no way!!