Quick question for anyone who's ever broken their leg

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Faro

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I broke my fibula on 20th June and I am going back to hospital tomorrow to have the cast finally removed, all being well (and I'm reasonably confident that it is).

I'm desperate to get back in the saddle again - and I'm not going to rush things - but I'm very curious to know how long it took you to get back in the saddle after having a leg in plaster??

I really have no idea how long it will be before I can ride again (and I know each person will be different) but I am kind of hoping I can get a few weeks fittening (horse) work in ready to do small end of season event at the very end of September and am just wondering what my chances might be.
 
As you say everybody is different and depends how bad the break was.

My break was about 6 inches above my ankle (naughty little pony kicked out at my horse and got me instead
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). It was quite bad and was in a plaster cast for 3 months, then got changed to a fibreglass removable cast, was supposed to take it off at home only
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3 days later I was on my horse!

But she was a steady old girl and had the 3 months off as well, so started at 10 mins a day and slowly built up from there.

Good luck to you!
 
Not for broken leg, but i got on the day i got my straight cast of my leg (i was desperate) , its hard work but well worth it if you think your ready. Im trying building up what i do each day, yesturday i did a few strides of rising (sorta) trot
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It might eb easier if you have someone to help you up there and off again, thats what im finding hardest
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Good luck!
X
 
I didn't realise I had broken my leg
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I just carried on doing everything with a limp. I guess it depends on your pain threshhold when you get back on.

 
i lost my confidence so took me a while and i gave up the pony i fell off
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when i got my cast off i went to just jump off the bed and walk about, the nurse warned me it would feel strange and it would be very weak i ignored her then when i went to walk i fell flat on my face lol!!! my poor little shriveled up hairy leg wasnt quite ready for tht and just wobbled and gave way he he :P :P
 
I'm not sure it's a pain threshold thing, I think it is more to do with the severity of the injury. I managed to smash my joint - was the most painful thing that has ever happened to me, by the time I got to the hospital I was in severe shock. Needed 3 operations to screw it back together. On the other hand, I've recently found out that I have had a fractured pelvis for months and was just trying to ignore the pain!

As for my return to riding - I was on crutches for 6 months, so had massive muscle wastage. I started riding again once I was walking without too much of a limp, went straight out and did a 4 mile cross country event! It took a while before I was up to 95% (I'll never be 100%) and I had a few relapses along the way, but I otherwise started right back where I left off!
 
sorry to hear about the break and good luck wiht your recovery. I really had a numebr done on my leg in 2006, but instead of the cast i had the intramedial nail, plates and screws. Combined with intensive physiotherapy and hydrotherapy it still took me 6 months to begin to walk, a further 7 months to walk for more than 20 mins, i started riding just under 2 years after the incident and i am still (3 years on) having problems, i cant ride for longer than 1 hour without cramping and the swelling in my leg gets worse in the heat so dont usually ride when its this hot.

I wish you all the best and to do all the physio and exercise you can.
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I rode without stirrups for a fair while after I broke my knee because the pressure on the joint was too much with stirrups.
 
I rode the whole time i had mine on!! Pony was a super star though and I had someone with me all the time. I think I would still do the same now but wouldn't go out hacking, would stick to the school
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[ QUOTE ]
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The first time I broke my ankle I was supposed to be in plaster for 6 weeks.
After 3 weeks I cut it off and rode in a point to point a week later.
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Fab.....horse people are rock hard
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Should have said that when I did the other one I didn't sit on a horse for 9 months (I did try after 6).
 
I spiral fractured my leg bones, partially dislocated my knee, and fully dislocated my ankle, years ago.
Was in full leg plaster for months, and couldn't walk properly, let alone ride, for the best part of a year, although I think that was more to do with the dislocations than the breaks.
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I did mine good Fri this year. Was a very bad break, screwed/plated and was told that I may have a permanent limp. I started driving 2 weeks ago, and whilst i still have a slight limp, I have done everything docs/physio told me, and i should make a full recovery. I am not allowed to ride until oct, and i certainly wont try. I am then going to have lessons on a school master. I was upset as I have a youngster, and was due to back her Aug, but hey ho she can wait. I am currently walking 2-3 miles every weekend. The horses have sped my recovey no end. I have cut a years recovery in half.
Muscle wastage may be a problem, so see how strong your leg is. I still have one leg visably bigger than the other.
All I would say is, follow doctors orders! Its a pain, but thats life, and you want to make the best recovery. Dont push it.
Get well soon xx
 
Would also echo that you give yourself time to heal properly as you don't know what long term damage you may be doing if you rush things.

I broke my hip in August 2007 and didn't ride again til about 7 months later. Even then it would get quite painful and still does sometimes as the muscle sometimes moves over one of the pins.

My doctor just told me once I was allowed off crutches that I was allowed to ride again but not to fall off
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Obviously couldn't guarantee that and the first time I fell off again I did panic but was fine.

Take your time as you don't want to risk putting yourself back just for the sake of a few weeks less riding.
 
Well, just got back from the hospital (well, went to feed the gang first). The cast is off and, apart from being very swollen and stiff, it feels good. Not wobbly at all. Such a relief!

We'll have to see how it goes, but I'm really tempted to possibly have a little sit on this weekend. Not proper riding, but perhaps just five minutes at walk (the muscles certainly aren't ready to try rising trot yet!).

Thanks for all your answers everyone. And for those of you who are still undergoing treatment - wishing you all the very best for the future.
 
I fractured my tibial plateau in sept 2005 and was back on my horse January 2006, the first anniversary of my break I went for a gallop.
Unfortunately I've done something else to it now and have stopped riding but having an arthroscopy on thursday so hopefully will be mended!
 
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