Broken ankle - had it pinned. How long till I can ride again?!!!

Christmas Crumpet

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 August 2007
Messages
4,035
Visit site
Broke my ankle hunting last Tues and had to have it pinned with 2 screws in it. Just wondering whether anyone else has had it done and how long it took to get back on a horse?

My horse has gone to a friend to hunt and I'm going to the meet in a minute to see him. I know I'm going to be very jealous that someone else is riding him but have to tell myself its all good education for him. Am very bored at home to say the least.

We're getting married at the end of June but doctors swear I'll be walking, not hopping, up the aisle!!
 
PM Rudey

She had a nasty fall which resulted in a broken ankle and will be able to give you some advice. She has posted a fair bit in the last couple of weeks about it.

She will say don't rush it though as you could end up doing more damage and have to have it reset.
 
rudey broke/shattered her talus bone which is why hers has taken so long to heal as all of your weight goes through it.

sorry OP never broken mine, though hopefully not too long
wink.gif
 
I broke mine some years ago but didn't have it pinned. The cast was on for 6 weeks, then we went on holiday. I was ready to get back on board after that. Your leg will feel very weak when the cast comes off, so may want to keep to sitting trot at first.

You would be stupid to ride in a cast, I'm not suggesting you're even thinking about it, but you do need to respect the healing process.
 
I broke my fibula, where it meets the ankle, last June and had it pinned. Was in plaster for 7 weeks. Fortunately, I had no complications. The plaster came off on the Friday and I got back on a horse on the Sunday (albeit for only 20 minutes, supervised, all at walk except for about 50 metres of trot to try it out). Leg at the time was still extremely swollen and lacked flexion, but from then on I just got on with riding, pretty much every day, building up a little at a time. Did an endurance ride in September, just 6 weeks out of plaster and achieved a Grade 1. Leg was fine, although t I knew the next day that it had been worked hard.

Now, 6 months later, I'm riding totally normally (and have been since the endurance ride). The ankle remains the tiniest bit stiff and I don't think I'll ever gain 100% flexion in it again - but what I've got is perfectly okay for my needs and I can walk as much and as far as I like on it without any problem. I learnt to run again around Christmas time (although the most running I ever intend to do is to run beside a horse for a trot up!).

Anyway Guildford, sorry to hear your news. I'll keep my fingers crossed that yours is just as uncomplicated as mine was and, as long as it is, you'll be getting back in the saddle as soon as you feel ready even if it is only 2 days after coming out of plaster! Good luck & try not to let yourself get too frustrated by the enforced confinement.
 
My ankle was broken some years ago, it was pinned, but not plastered.I was non weight bearing for some weeks, and I started physio soon after.My message to you is a simple one.FOLLOW THE DOCTORS ORDERS.You may not feel like it, I didnt, but you have your weight on your ankle for the rest of your life, and after 25 years, I am starting to get a little pain and stiffness, prob arthritis.I had an x ray last week, the pins are still clearly in place, the dilemma is weather to take the pins out now or leave them. good luck with the wedding,my thoughts are with you.
JC
 
A friend of mine just broke both sides of her ankle falling off a horse. She has a plate and 8 screws after 2 ops and has been told she can't ride for 6-9 months. She's in pink plaster
smile.gif
 
Top