People with torn ankle ligaments? How long did you wait before riding again???

[NELSON11]

As previously posted, 8 weeks ago I got my ankle stuck in a fillet string on a rug hanging over a stable door and tipped upside down on the concrete and my ankle went the other way. Oucher!!!!!!

Here I am 8 weeks down the line, pain isn't too bad as strapped up however have tried to ride on 2 occassions. Struggling to get on/off and any flexion in my ankle is killing me so had to ride with really long stirrups and not use my left leg. Have sat on a friends trustworthy hw cob who has happily put up with my feeble mounting/dismounting efforts.

Just curious as to people with strains/sprains/tears of ankle ligaments, how long were you off? I am trying to look after it although difficult as I am an equine physio so on my feet most of the day apart from driving, My clutch foot also so doubly hard.

Any glimmer of hopes you can shed my way. I have a 5 yo who is wondering when his mum is getting back on board. but don't want to push it too soon, but it isn't anymore painful once I have managed to get off, having said that the horse is only walking, the thought of anything else makes me shudder at this stage.

 

[sparkeypony]

Hi, A very long time ago whilst working in Italy on a yard i torn my ankle ligament and we are taliking 20 years!!! Hve to say still give me pain if i ride too short for long periods or do lots of rising trot. You really need to listen to your own body as always and you MUST do any excersises given to you, maybe explain about riding and how much flexion you need and see if they can give you specific ones. Best of luck, i have to say normal riding and yardwork/life wouldn't know there was ever a problem

xx

 

[HuntingB]

How did you manage that!?
Will be watching with interest as this is what I did by having a crunching fall out hunting last week! I'm really hoping it's not going to be 8 weeks! :-( I don't think mine can be as bad as yours, I've got a bit of flexion up and down, just can't turn toes in or out.

 

[[59668]]

Did mine 10 weeks ago. Had an op yesterday to fix it cos it didn't heal. Same thing on other ankle 6 years ago. Torn ligament are a total pain.

 

[be positive]

When I strained my ankle, my equine physio did laser treatment on it every day once the initial swelling had gone down, I am sure it helped.

 

[saz5083]

I did a number on mine in the spring and was back on within 5days. I did however spend the next 6weeks riding in the school with no stirrups and had to be legged on (from the wrong side) and make sure I only landed on one foot when getting off! Was jumping again 10weeks after the event, which I can now say was prob too early as was still quite painful, but I was Bl**dy sick of sitting on the sick bench! 11 weeks post event went clear BE100 with a very strapped up leg *whistles innocently*

I found my long leather boots a god send, couldnt ride in anything else as they gave more support, and flexi stirrups really helped too. Im now 8 months on and it still bothers me if Im totally honest. Took me a lot longer to get my co-ordination back than anything else and even now it wants to 'roll' if given the chance I spent a fortune on physio which did really help I think.

I guess you have to play it by ear and see how you feel. I probably should have given myself longer but I'll be damned if I'll admit that to anyone in RL

 

[NELSON11]

Did mine 10 weeks ago. Had an op yesterday to fix it cos it didn't heal. Same thing on other ankle 6 years ago. Torn ligament are a total pain.

Ouch, hope you recover soon

 

[NELSON11]

When I strained my ankle, my equine physio did laser treatment on it every day once the initial swelling had gone down, I am sure it helped.

Ditto I am pulsed magging mine daily also with my equine leg applicators. With it in a straight line not too painful, just more uncomfy but lateral flexion or bringing my toes up is a killer.

Thanks for sharing your experiences guys. That will teach me for putting too many tightly bound rugs onto rug rails with fillet strings hanging down and actually turning to run down the yard as I was late for an appointment,

Yes will def put my leather boots on next time to have an amble. 1/2 chaps and boots not helping. I know how long my equine ligaments take to heal in my patients so I guess I am kidding myself a bit. Chin up though eh.

 

[NELSON11]

How did you manage that!?
Will be watching with interest as this is what I did by having a crunching fall out hunting last week! I'm really hoping it's not going to be 8 weeks! :-( I don't think mine can be as bad as yours, I've got a bit of flexion up and down, just can't turn toes in or out.

Hope it's not 8 weeks hon. Lots of ice still if brusing coming out

 

[NeverSayNever]

hmm, well i did mine in april 2010. I was back riding come June but it was weak and gave me problems. I did see a physio for a while as well.

Hate to say it but mine is still giving my problems. I was sat on my knees at a yoga class this week and pressure it put the ankle meant i was limping for 2 days after.

I was seeing an osteopath anyway for pelvis problems, prob caused in the same fall, and mentioned my ankle. He is now treating it as well and I cant recommend it more highly.

 

[MrSpam]

Hi

I've just had an operation on my ankle, following a fall 2.5 years ago. I didn't really notice the ankle at the time, because my shoulder was so sore. Anyway 2 years on ankle still swollen, sore and at a slightly strange angle.

I had underestimated the time it would take to heal after the operation. I thought I'd have a couple of days off, but I've been off work for a month now, only tried driving today and am not planning to ride until after New Year. Horses have stayed out in the field 24/7 and seem to be surviving fine. Probably thrilled to be chilling - though a storm has just blown up - they'll be knocking on the stable doors.

I would say: leave it as long as you can or you might store up problems for later. I wish I'd realised my ankle was damaged from the fall and rested it - it's been a total pain (literally) for a long time now and I can't face this op not sorting it out permanently.