For anyone who's broken their ankle in the past....

Spyda

Spyda

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Okay, not horse related - so apologise in advance (although DID break my ankle leading a horse......
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It's been 6 months since I broke my right ankle and I am still unable to wear any form of heels. Wellies are fine, Crocs are fine, trainers are fine, but when I put on a dress and slung on a pair of 2 inch heels as I was rushing out of the door to get to my son's parents' evening last night - I ended up having to use the walking stick I found in the car, because my right ankle hurt so in the shoe. In bare feet my ankle is fine this morning, but I put my foot into a 1 inch heel this morning - was just testing, and it was immediately agony to stand on my right ankle. I'm desperate.

I am 5'1" and CANNOT spend the rest of my life in flatties.

Can anyone reassure me that the pain will get better? Please?
 
I didn't break my ankle but badly sprained and maybe splintered the bone in Aug 07, only been able to walk properly in big heels since summer this year. So you're only looking at another 6 more months!
 
Was your ankle pinned or plated? Mine was and all is now fine. I broke it 5 years ago and sorry I cant remember how long it took. Only thing that causes me grief is a ski boot because the pins rub. I cant think that mine was ever agony though.

I broke mine as I tripped over while poo picking!!
 
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Did you find you had to retrain your ankle? I'm wondering if having worn nothing but flats since the cast came off, my ankle simply isn't used to the bend it has to adopt when a heel is worn. I'm wondering if I should force myself to wear heels for a few minutes a day, and build up? It'll be agony.

Flexibility in my ankle still isnt good. I still cant walk easy up or down slopes because of the angle the foot has to adopt. My ankle was in plaster so long that it lost a lot of the movement it used to have.

As my husband pointed out last night, heeled shoes and a walking stick isn't a good look. But then again, as I pointed out, neither is a posh frock and a pair of Crocs/trainers/wellies!

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Was your ankle pinned or plated?

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Plated. I broke the ankle in 3 places and tore most of the ligaments and tendons in the foot. I did a good job knackering it.

I was leading my yearling out to her paddock using a lung line (thank God I was!), when I had a drop attack just as I was walking past some trotting poles. Went unconscious for only a split second but it was long enough for me to somehow fall awkwardly sideways and somehow (I assume) bend my ankle on one of the poles. Mystery. One minute I was walking along, next minute I'm sat on my backside wondering what the heck has just happened with a VERY perturbed yearling springing about at the long end of the lunge line. Tried to get up and my right ankle just bent completely sideways. That's when I realised I was in some serious trouble. Only people with me were my four small sons - none of them old or big enough to handle the filly - who by this time had stopped jumping about and was creeping curiously towards me with a wicked look on her face. Great! Just what I need - to be jumped on by a playful baby whilst immobile on the ground. Twasn't a happy place to be, for a few minutes! Thankfully my 8 year old ran to a house nearby and got help. And person there was able to lead my filly to her paddock before she had chance to jump on my head! Hate to imagine what I would have done (a) without my children being there, (b) if I hadn't been using the lunge line to lead and (c) if no one had been home at the house next door.

 
I broke my right ankle almost 4 years ago - the boney bit that sticks out, and it moved 3mm down as i didn't realize for 3 days.

I walked on my ankle the whole time I had cast on (with permission of docs cos it didn't hurt), but when I got it taken off it took me about 8 months before I could wear heels. I had to do lots of leg raises (up in tippy toes etc) and stuff as the ankle was very stiff. It still gets sore now if I wear heels for more than a few hours.

So you might need to leave it a bit longer, but it will get better. I found that riding and doing heels down also really helped - maybe it stretched the muscles and ligaments a bit.
 
I'd go to a decent physio and ask for some exercises to help regain the strength and mobility in your ankle!

I had to really fight to find someone who CARED to help my husband learn to walk again - the usual physios just weren't interested enough to work out that a man with two broken legs and a broken hip couldn't actually do the exercises meant for someone with one broken leg. "Stand with feet about a foot apart and bend your knees so that both knees stay over your big toes." Yeah right when he's not supposed to be weight bearing on either leg. [/rant]
 
I broke my ankle when a horse slipped and crushed my leg on the road.

I didnt have it pinned or anything - i was lucky it was a straight break.

I am fine in heels - was from the start but in the cold my ankle throbs regardless of what shoes i have on.

You mentioned ligament damage - maybe you should visit a physio to rule out that as a problem
 
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I walked on my ankle the whole time I had cast on (with permission of docs cos it didn't hurt)

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Yeah, that would have been better. I wasn't allowed to stand on my leg for about 9 weeks from when I had the accident. Spent the first 10 days in hospital awaiting the op. The ankle was still swelling during this period so they weren't able to cut open the skin to insert the plate and restitch, until it had stopped swelling. Then I spent another 6 days in hospital with my leg immobilised, and then 8 weeks at home - Off my ankle completely, with it raised to reduce swelling inside the cast. Once cast was off, had another week off my ankle with it raised and then I've gradually been able to get back to walking. Gosh, that's a lot longer than 9 weeks isn't it. Was a long time.

I still limp badly but am forcing the ankle to work now and making a concerted effort to loose the limp! Yesterday my husband walked 15 paces ahead of me and said he was embarrassed by me limping. BAST$$D that he is. Didn't even offer me an arm to lean on. D.I.V.O.R.C.E.

jemima_too - YOUR POOR HUSBAND. OMG that must have been a horrendous experience for both of you.
 
Sorry... out of context but quoted from your siggy:

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Do 5 horses really need 67 rugs??? clearout time i think!

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Had to laugh at this! I've only got 2 horses left (my broodmare and her yearling) and my husband stomped in the other day having been sorting stuff in the shed and shouted, "53! 53!". 53 wot? "Flaming horse rugs you've got. 53 and counting! As there's more in the flipping garage." Stomp, stomp, stomp... off in a huff. Men... they just don't understand do they?!!
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AHH, No wonder its still sore, that's quite a lot its been through. Even though I walked on mine it was still weak when the cast came off. And my left ankle actually started to give out when riding (not in cast!) as I used it more. I do still go over it to, I am sure that because of the break moving that ligaments have moved.

Ditto the trobbing when its cold. Its horrible and very weird! It also itches like mad some times!

Gosh, what funny bodys!
 
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Sorry... out of context but quoted from your siggy:

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Do 5 horses really need 67 rugs??? clearout time i think!

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Had to laugh at this! I've only got 2 horses left (my broodmare and her yearling) and my husband stomped in the other day having been sorting stuff in the shed and shouted, "53! 53!". 53 wot? "Flaming horse rugs you've got. 53 and counting! As there's more in the flipping garage." Stomp, stomp, stomp... off in a huff. Men... they just don't understand do they?!!
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Lol - no they dont!

Funnily enough it was my OH that actually bothered to count them!
 
They took the plaster off mine quite quickly and then I was meant to have another one after a few weeks, however by then I couldnt bend my foot up into normal standing position so they gave me a strange boot which adjusted the angle there. I also had loads of physio on the NHS which I have to say was excellent. This should never have happened if I had been sent home with excercises in the first place
 
Heels, dont even think about them these days. Pins still in, the problem is the back!!. I have got used to flatties, and just live with it. Do take your time though, just an observation, there seem to be loads of us in the same boat here.
JC
 
Spyda
It sounds as though you need to see a really good physio. I broke my ankle, and also fibula in 2 places in Aug 07 and it was screwed, wired and plated. I was also non-weightbearing for 8 weeks. I then had to have a large screw removed before I could start to walk again. Right from the start I was really tough on myself with regards to gettng it moving. I went to see a good sports physio (privately) who really really helped. I could barely walk when she first saw me. She watched me hobble along and told me that I could choose to limp, or I could learn to walk properly again
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Yes, she was tough, but best thing I ever did. I was wearing 4 inch heels within a few months! I think I have been very very lucky. The only shoes I avoid are mule type things as I am paranoid about going over on my ankle.

Good luck!
 
I broke mine walking the dog! I was waving at a friend, and put my foot down a hole in the ground, d'oh! I hobbled back to the car some distance away, and it wasn't until the next morning when even the pressure of the bed sheet was agony, I had an x-ray which showed an avulsion fracture, when the ligament tears off a fragment of bone (ligament being stronger than bone).

Well the bad news is that compared to your fracture, mine wasn't as major, however, that ankle has never been right since. Right now it feels fine, but I will only have to go jogging or wear heels, and it will flare up again, and it's been about 5 years now. On one occasion 2 years after the injury it swelled up like a melon and I couldn't walk a step. That was after I had made the mistake of jogging.

In the short term, it's normal for it to feel painful for some time after the cast comes off, but it will improve over a year or so, and then maybe you will be unlucky and have a weakness you need to take care of.

Or maybe you will have more sense than me, and not ignore advice to get physiotherapy!
 
Yep I fractured my ankle falling off and foolishly landing on my feet, only to put foot down a hole. Unfortunately I walked around on my ankle for 6months as I damaged the nerve so couldn't feel a thing - consequently shattering my ankle pretty much. It was a good year after my operation until I could physically flex enough to wear even tiny heels, and I had weekly physio. As others have said, I would get yourself to a physio before you try to get your ankle to do too much too soon
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good luck though.
 
I didn't break any bones but I tore the ligaments etc. very badly getting thrown clear of a falling horse and catching my foot in the stirrup.

Try a good physio if you can find one. For reasons of stupidity I did only a little physio initially then had to go back for an extensive round six months later. They did all sorts of tests to show me how my foot was "tracking" and despite the fact I was walking, riding etc it was WAY out of whack.

I can now wear short heels, more easily with a proper boot/shoe rather than a slip on, although I will say it doesn't feel very stable and I usually pay for it after the fact!

You are right that you may have to educate yourself to wear heels again but it also may be you come to the conclusion after awhile that it's not worth it.
 
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For reasons of stupidity I did only a little physio initially then had to go back for an extensive round six months later. They did all sorts of tests to show me how my foot was "tracking" and despite the fact I was walking, riding etc it was WAY out of whack.


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Aaaagh, this rings a bell. I only had a couple of physio sessions. I know I walk with my right foot slightly turned outwards as it's more comfortable. I try to correct myself when I remember or notice, but I expect that's just the tip of the iceberg. I'll see if I can find a physio. Might be worth checking earlier rather than later....
 
My sister broke her ankle in May 2007, (also putting a horse out, well actually going to get the halter to persuade the elderly Appy to go in the field) She has just bought herself a pair of 3" heels today. They are pretty much wedges as they carry the weight better. This is a woman who used to wear 4" stilletoes all day
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Her aim is to get back into them, but can't wear the ones she has as her foot is now bigger, also can't wear ankle straps and doesn't think she ever will. She was back riding at christmas 2007, but took it verycarefully to start with, only short rides and recomends physio exercises (and determination
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For reasons of stupidity I did only a little physio initially then had to go back for an extensive round six months later. They did all sorts of tests to show me how my foot was "tracking" and despite the fact I was walking, riding etc it was WAY out of whack.


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Aaaagh, this rings a bell. I only had a couple of physio sessions. I know I walk with my right foot slightly turned outwards as it's more comfortable. I try to correct myself when I remember or notice, but I expect that's just the tip of the iceberg. I'll see if I can find a physio. Might be worth checking earlier rather than later....

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It was quite neat and high tech, at least at the second place I went to. They had a "track pad" that measured footfall pressure with a mirror at the end so you could walk down in and watch yourself and then see what movements produced the most correct footfall. There was also a machine that held the ankle in sensors and I had to put my ankle through particular movements in order to match up a line with a "correct" line on the screen. When it got too far off an alarm sounded so the could make sure the patient wasn't cheating! It was quite horrifying to find out how "off" my proprioception and control was.

I have to say, though, I first went to a physio who was much more "feel" oriented and did massage as well as exercises and to be honest I think I got better improvement with her until she moved and I had to go to the science lab.

A couple of years later I had another wreck and the horse stepped on my ankle. I remember waking up briefly in the ambulance and commenting that my ankle had been stepped on but I couldn't tell left from right in my muddled state so could the paramedic please point to the one with the hoofmark on it. He pointed to the "good" one and I said, "Oh thank god!" then, when he looked at me funny, "It's just that I spent a lot of money getting the other one fixed" then I passed out again.
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Oddly, the stepped on one is fine but the original messed up one, many years later, hurts pretty much all the time, gets very stiff, often swells and occasionally turns blue. There are lots of things, like skating, it simply won't do anymore.
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I've been told ankles are almost the worst thing to do because there are so many little pieces and major soft tissue attachments it's almost impossible not to have some sort of long term issue.
 
I broke about half the bones in my foot and damaged my ankle when a horse slipped on concrete and fell on me 3 years ago. I had a very bad limp for a very long time and heels were agonising (although i would just 'self medicate' as i only wore them out anyways
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and find a nice man to lean on lol) I didn't have much physio as then had another back op so was in bed for a while... anyways i'm not sure exactly when i stopped limping and when i could wear heels without much pain. (Although with my foot being so out of balance and shape that is always going to hurt.)

I would say probably about a year ago my limp was completely gone and i could go out in heels for more than an hour without taking them off and walking barefoot.

Physio should speed things up tho, it's probably quite tight and stiff.

My ankle does still hurt when riding though, not sure if thats ever going to go after 3 years?!
 
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I've been told ankles are almost the worst thing to do because there are so many little pieces and major soft tissue attachments it's almost impossible not to have some sort of long term issue.


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Yes, I was told that too. I remember when I did it and had just arrived at the hospital. I was thinking, "Oh well. They'll xray it, put a cast on, I'll go home for 6 weeks, have the cast off and be right as rain. Oh, well it's not the end of the world." My son had broken his wrist about 6 months previously and that had been the pattern for him. Huh, little did I know, eh? I do remember them telling me at the time that it was a very bad break, even for an ankle. Still cannot believe I did so much damage walking across a level field.

Mind you, there's always someone worse off. The mobile hairdresser who came out to cut my hair whilst I was on bed rest had taken a fall a few years ago. Whilst crossing the road. She twisted her ankle and fell off the pavement into the road. She broke her ankle and BOTH wrists as she put her hands out to break her fall. Luckily her breaks were nice and clean and have healed really well. She's back to full time hairdressing (and doesn't limp). She's younger than me though. Maybe that's helps. I've been warned that I'll develop arthritis in that ankle at some point. Oh goody, that's something to look forward to
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