Rider injury- broken tibia and ankle

[Moodymare88]

Hi all,

3 weeks ago, during a fab XC lesson where we were flying, I had an unfortunate fall after a fence when I tried to save myself, landed on my feet, heard a massive crack and after being taken to hospital it was confirmed that I have broken my ankle and tibia. I had surgery 2 days later and now have a rod from my knee to my ankle and screws in my ankle. Completely ruined my plans for the rest of the year, but I’m still here so I’m grateful for that. I was told yesterday no riding for 6 months as it is still susceptible to breaking again.

Anyway, I have decided to give my 8 year old mare the rest of the year off, it won’t do her any harm and I think will be good for both of us and allow me to focus on recovery. She had her back shoes taken off this week, and will have her fronts taken off when the ground isn’t as hard.

I’m taking vitamin d and calcium, along with using an arc 4 health and I start physio next week.

Has anyone suffered anything similar? Is there anything else I can do to help with the healing?
When I do get back on, are there any boots which offer more support? Are long boots better than short boots and chaps? Is there anything I can use to support my ankle? I’ve ordered a back on track physio ankle support. I really want to be able to drive as soon as possible to be able to get down to the yard, luckily a friend is currently looking after her and I have been down to see her.

I am also looking into going on a course where they teach you to fall safely and I have a plan in place when it comes to bringing her back into work, and that includes going to my instructor for some ‘boot camp’ when she is ready. Anything else I can do when I am able to, to prepare myself for getting back in the saddle?

 

[Northern Hare]

Really sorry to hear of your accident, and wishing you all the best for your recovery!

I hope @luckyoldme doesn't mind me tagging her into this post, but I followed her thread about her serious leg injury and her recovery, which was really interesting and there was lots of advice from other forum members.

 

[paddy555]

not sure what is on your ankle ATM but when they removed the casts (for me after 2 weeks) and gave me an air walker boot life became a lot better and safer. I blew the air up to make it very tight to be around horses/dangerous situations and loosened it for sitting etc.
They told me to remove it after 8 weeks I think but I kept using it when I was likely to get shoved around with a horse or I wanted to long rein etc those types of situations and went without the rest.

Riding was the best physio because the gentle movement of your ankle in the stirrup really loosened it up.
I started using an ankle brace after about 8 weeks all the time the air walker was off. When I got back on the horse I used the ankle brace, bandaged it on tightly and used a mountain horse ankle boot to ride in. I felt safe in that.

In the first few weeks I removed the air walker, put the ankle brace on and drove to work on odd occasions to pick up work. It worked and it felt completely safe driving as the ankle brace was bandaged on tightly.

If you have an air walker boot I found you couldn't either drive or ride in it. Too bulky.
I would worry with long boots you have to wiggle your leg/ankle to put them on and off and not much room for an ankle brace or bandaging. Mountain horse are a large, wide boot, lots of space for the ankle brace.

Sorry about your injury. The worst part for me was when I heard the massive crack. I can still remember that. It was not so much the pain but the realisation of how restricting it was going to be and what a PITA. I don't have a lot of patience.

 

[U.N.Owen]

Ah that sounds rubbish! Hope you heal okay.

 

[Lucky Snowball]

Can’t really offer advice but wishing you a speedy recovery.

 

[Moodymare88]

not sure what is on your ankle ATM but when they removed the casts (for me after 2 weeks) and gave me an air walker boot life became a lot better and safer. I blew the air up to make it very tight to be around horses/dangerous situations and loosened it for sitting etc.
They told me to remove it after 8 weeks I think but I kept using it when I was likely to get shoved around with a horse or I wanted to long rein etc those types of situations and went without the rest.

Riding was the best physio because the gentle movement of your ankle in the stirrup really loosened it up.
I started using an ankle brace after about 8 weeks all the time the air walker was off. When I got back on the horse I used the ankle brace, bandaged it on tightly and used a mountain horse ankle boot to ride in. I felt safe in that.

In the first few weeks I removed the air walker, put the ankle brace on and drove to work on odd occasions to pick up work. It worked and it felt completely safe driving as the ankle brace was bandaged on tightly.

If you have an air walker boot I found you couldn't either drive or ride in it. Too bulky.
I would worry with long boots you have to wiggle your leg/ankle to put them on and off and not much room for an ankle brace or bandaging. Mountain horse are a large, wide boot, lots of space for the ankle brace.

Sorry about your injury. The worst part for me was when I heard the massive crack. I can still remember that. It was not so much the pain but the realisation of how restricting it was going to be and what a PITA. I don't have a lot of patience.

Thank you. So I don’t have a cast at all, but I have a boot now as of yesterday, it isn’t an air walker boot though.

I do have my Ariat short boots so will stick with them as they are comfortable and worn in.

I’m still having daily blood thinner injections which are just awful and have them until the end of September.

It is a PITA, I hate not being able to even make a cup of tea myself lol! I have been told I can drive when I can do an emergency stop. I’m hoping to start swimming as well when I can, but at the moment I have been told I can shower but I can soak my leg because of the stitches, so that won’t be for a few weeks yet either!

So frustrating how things can change in a split second! We had qualified for the BD associated champs in October and only needed one more score for the winter area festivals, along with hunter trials planned but trying not to dwell on that really. Sometimes things happen for a reason.

 

[Moodymare88]

Ah that sounds rubbish! Hope you heal okay.

I wouldn’t recommend it! lol and I have solid bones!

 

[Peglo]

Sorry to hear of your injury but sounds like you’ve got a solid plan going forward.
(Also I feel your pain with the injections. They are hideous. OH looked far too happy when I was having to prep myself to do them )

@scats had a serious ankle injury after a fall. Hope you don’t mind me tagging you Scats but incase you have any advice for OP.

 

[Skib]

Is there anything I can use to support my ankle?

I cant give you medical advice. You should ask your own doctors.
When I broke my ankle it was a minor break when out walking and nothing as serious as yours but I had physio sessions with exercises to do at home and I wore an elastic tube bandage to support the ankle.
I was told to do this by the specialist but subsequently discovered that elastic bandages are not recommended as they restrict blood flow. However, if you look at Boots website, you will see they still sell ankle suports and tube bandages of several types.
When I resumed riding in Ariat short boots, I wore the elastic support bandage for some time when I was riding.

I was also given my X rays which showed that the tip of one bone remained permanently separated. This was in case I ever injured that ankle again, as it showed the existing damage.

 

[exracehorse]

I broke my fibula with spiral fracture of the ankle. Cast. Crutches. Boot. I wore an ankle foot bandage and hiking boots for support. I rushed the moving around too soon. Looking back. Im wonky on my left side. Have to have my stirrup a hole higher on the left. And it hurts coming down a flight of stairs for instance.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Sorry you had a fall, the thing that stands out to me with your post is what a sensible thought out reaction! Most owners faced with injury and inability to ride seem to freak out a bit. Your so correct, its not the end of the world. 6 Months out for an 8 year old with shoes off could do her the absolute world of good and takes away the temptation to get back on too early.
I'd say its time, rubbish and easy as that. Give your self proper time to heal and don't push it. Also actually follow your physio's instructions- I'm guilty of being really rubbish at that and regretting it later.

Hope your not in pain and heal as quickly as possible!

 

[Sealine]

Sorry to hear about your accident. I broke my patella a few years ago which was a very straight forward fracture but I do remember the frustration of not being able to do anything. I was in plaster from the top of leg down to my toes for 6 weeks. With regards to driving, is it your left or right leg? If it's your left leg you will be able to drive an automatic before you can drive a manual car.

 

[Moodymare88]

Sorry to hear about your accident. I broke my patella a few years ago which was a very straight forward fracture but I do remember the frustration of not being able to do anything. I was in plaster from the top of leg down to my toes for 6 weeks. With regards to driving, is it your left or right leg? If it's your left leg you will be able to drive an automatic before you can drive a manual car.

It’s my left leg but I have a manual, so a bit stuck really! Annoying as it was off the road for 7 weeks as someone drove into the side of it and it was being repaired! This accident happened the day after I got it back! That’s life though I guess. I do have pins and needles in my foot and it feels a lot colder than my other one, so I’m hoping that will improve as it’s a horrible sensation!

 

[Trouper]

Sorry to hear this. Lots of good advice for the future but for the immediate weeks I would be taking VitC with Zinc to help the healing and Comfrey is good for bones. Would check with the medics though about mixing that with other drugs.

After that do invest in the best physio you can - it makes -or breaks (sorry!)- the speed and success of the recovery.

 

[Moodymare88]

Sorry you had a fall, the thing that stands out to me with your post is what a sensible thought out reaction! Most owners faced with injury and inability to ride seem to freak out a bit. Your so correct, its not the end of the world. 6 Months out for an 8 year old with shoes off could do her the absolute world of good and takes away the temptation to get back on too early.
I'd say its time, rubbish and easy as that. Give your self proper time to heal and don't push it. Also actually follow your physio's instructions- I'm guilty of being really rubbish at that and regretting it later.

Hope your not in pain and heal as quickly as possible!

Thank you. To be honest, my main concern when it happened was what to do with my horse. It would stress me out more having someone else ride her (she isn’t easy and we have come so far together after our relationship and confidence was ruined by a rubbish instructor). She’s done a lot in the 5 years that I have had her, so I really think a break would be so beneficial for her.

I’m now starting to put a bit of weight on it with the boot but I know physio is going to be hard, but I also know I’ll need to do it to get better! It’s hard, last time I had an injury I was kicked in the face on the ground (needed surgery, so I’m even more bionic now with the plate in my cheekbone) and that was awful but I was able to do things and drive and get down the yard.

I think I’ve just come to terms with the fact I tried to stay on, didn’t happen, landed badly and nothing I can do about it really. It wasn’t my horses fault, I’ve come off so many times…just one of those things.

 

[Moodymare88]

Sorry to hear this. Lots of good advice for the future but for the immediate weeks I would be taking VitC with Zinc to help the healing and Comfrey is good for bones. Would check with the medics though about mixing that with other drugs.

After that do invest in the best physio you can - it makes -or breaks (sorry!)- the speed and success of the recovery.

Thank you. I have private health care through work, so I’m starting physio through them. I’m going with someone who has been recommended and helped a fellow rider with a similar injury. Currently I’m on ibuprofen and paracetamol when needed but I’m not taking them as much as I did last week, which is good. I was on morphine for a couple of weeks and I did have a lot of fentanyl after surgery due to the amount of pain. The surgery should have taken 1 hr 30
Mins and took around 5 hours! I did suffer with low oxygen, low blood pressure and high temperature afterwards but my body had been through a lot! They had to realign my leg in A&E and I had a lot of gas and air for them to move me and get me on the stretcher. My body has been through a lot, so I’m allowing that to recover as well.

 

[Fastasflames]

so sorry to hear about your accident and injury. Investing in ongoing proper physio is so important. My physio knew I was determined to get back in the saddle and worked me through a rehab programme which tested my leg strength at various points. Its the risk getting off that can be the greatest! I wasn't allowed to ride until I could complete certain exercises like jumping forward and landing on one leg over a measured distance.
when you do get back I recommend lace up hybrid type boots like long Ariat Wythburns with appropriately wide safety stirrups. Good luck and take your time, it's hard but you are being sensible.

 

[scats]

Sorry to hear of your injury but sounds like you’ve got a solid plan going forward.
(Also I feel your pain with the injections. They are hideous. OH looked far too happy when I was having to prep myself to do them )

@scats had a serious ankle injury after a fall. Hope you don’t mind me tagging you Scats but incase you have any advice for OP.

As Peglo says, I had a very bad fall in November 2022 and basically internally detached my foot from my leg. I broke tib and fib, smashed through the ankle joint and ruptured the ligaments that hold your foot in place (deltoid being one) so it was externally at an angle. I lost the pulse to my foot for 2 hours so it’s a miracle I still have it.
I have two plates and about 10 screws, all still in there.

Recovery was boring but fine. 6 weeks cast total non-weight bearing and then 6 weeks boot. Once I got in the boot I improved massively. I pushed myself to weight bear and walk and ditched the crutches within about 2 weeks of getting the boot. By week 4 of boot I was walking a couple of miles with the dogs on the sand dunes.
I got the all clear to remove the boot on a Friday, drove that afternoon and was back on a horse on the Saturday, 12 weeks post accident.

Riding was sore for a couple of weeks. I had to keep taking my foot out the stirrup but I just pushed through it and carried on. I try to ride in long boots now as short boots don’t give me quite the support I need. Plus, the only reason my bones didn’t come through the skin was probably the long boots I was wearing so it’s made me quite aware of having that extra protection.
Within a month of being out of the boot, I’d say I was totally back to normal. No limp, no pain, nothing.

Only things I notice now are-
If I cross my legs with that one on top, my foot goes a bit numb.
After a deep sleep when I haven’t moved much, my ankle feels a bit stiff the first time I move it.

Thats pretty much it. I basically treated it completely normally straight away and have never fussed around it or been overly cautious with it. I was warned I had a life changing injury due to the damage to the joint, but honestly, I don’t notice a thing yet. Whether it will bite me on the bum in years to come remains to be seen but it’s as happy as Larry at the moment.

I think my syndo screw has snapped now, as a few months ago I heard a lovely pop. I have full ROM in my ankle.

Theres a very long thread about my accident and recovery that you’ll be able to search for.

Good luck xx

 

[luckyoldme]

Really sorry to hear of your accident, and wishing you all the best for your recovery!

I hope @luckyoldme doesn't mind me tagging her into this post, but I followed her thread about her serious leg injury and her recovery, which was really interesting and there was lots of advice from other forum members.

I don't mind at all! I got a great deal of help on here and some much needed sympathy .
My accident was so weird that everyone just laughed (and still do!)
I'm so sorry @Moodymare88 , it was a horrible time and I do remember the pain.
I didn't get any physio and I just had to be guided by the pain .
I ended up sorting of hobbling round the house dragging a chair round with me to kneel on with the poorly foot and walking on the other one.
At the time I just couldn't envisage my old life coming back. Yet here I am forgetting all about it till this post popped up!
I ve just signed up to do a 10 k run with a group of lady truckers for charity . It has taken a while as I've let the pain guide my recovery...but I'm really positive that I can wind up fitter than I was before the tree fell on me.
Please don't underestimate the hard work your body is doing right now to get you better, or the value of this forum when you need a boost!

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

Sending you get well soon vibes and take your time healing. Bone is sticky for 12 weeks so flexing muscle and tendon is good ..impact on bone isn’t.

 

[onemoretime]

Thank you. To be honest, my main concern when it happened was what to do with my horse. It would stress me out more having someone else ride her (she isn’t easy and we have come so far together after our relationship and confidence was ruined by a rubbish instructor). She’s done a lot in the 5 years that I have had her, so I really think a break would be so beneficial for her.

I’m now starting to put a bit of weight on it with the boot but I know physio is going to be hard, but I also know I’ll need to do it to get better! It’s hard, last time I had an injury I was kicked in the face on the ground (needed surgery, so I’m even more bionic now with the plate in my cheekbone) and that was awful but I was able to do things and drive and get down the yard.

I think I’ve just come to terms with the fact I tried to stay on, didn’t happen, landed badly and nothing I can do about it really. It wasn’t my horses fault, I’ve come off so many times…just one of those things.

Very sorry to hear about your fall. Nothing to add to the very good advice on here and also your well planned out recovery. I broke my hip about 7 years ago when I was 63 it was a clean straight forward break and I have a dynamic hip screw in place. I was back riding in 4 months, only hacking on the roads, I don't gallop about now but am still riding out about 3 to 4 times a week and I'm 70 now. I'm sure you will make a good recovery and your mare will be fine having a nice break. Good luck and keep us posted of your progress.

 

[sbloom]

It sounds like you have a good physio lined up, it may still be a good idea to work with someone like Equimech or Pilates at Blue House, both PTs and Equipilates trainers who can work with you off horse and online.

I would also take the opportunity to use groundwork to help both of you, the walking, once appropriate, will help you, and postural work benefits nearly all horses. I like the new course from Annie Dillon Horsemanship, it's minefield in terms of finding ones that really work, and none will give all answers to all people of course!

 

[eahotson]

Hi all,

3 weeks ago, during a fab XC lesson where we were flying, I had an unfortunate fall after a fence when I tried to save myself, landed on my feet, heard a massive crack and after being taken to hospital it was confirmed that I have broken my ankle and tibia. I had surgery 2 days later and now have a rod from my knee to my ankle and screws in my ankle. Completely ruined my plans for the rest of the year, but I’m still here so I’m grateful for that. I was told yesterday no riding for 6 months as it is still susceptible to breaking again.

Anyway, I have decided to give my 8 year old mare the rest of the year off, it won’t do her any harm and I think will be good for both of us and allow me to focus on recovery. She had her back shoes taken off this week, and will have her fronts taken off when the ground isn’t as hard.

I’m taking vitamin d and calcium, along with using an arc 4 health and I start physio next week.

Has anyone suffered anything similar? Is there anything else I can do to help with the healing?
When I do get back on, are there any boots which offer more support? Are long boots better than short boots and chaps? Is there anything I can use to support my ankle? I’ve ordered a back on track physio ankle support. I really want to be able to drive as soon as possible to be able to get down to the yard, luckily a friend is currently looking after her and I have been down to see her.

I am also looking into going on a course where they teach you to fall safely and I have a plan in place when it comes to bringing her back into work, and that includes going to my instructor for some ‘boot camp’ when she is ready. Anything else I can do when I am able to, to prepare myself for getting back in the saddle?

Sorry to hear about that. Hope you recover soon.You could maybe do some mechanical horse stuff to keep your core strength up.

 

[Moodymare88]

It sounds like you have a good physio lined up, it may still be a good idea to work with someone like Equimech or Pilates at Blue House, both PTs and Equipilates trainers who can work with you off horse and online.

I would also take the opportunity to use groundwork to help both of you, the walking, once appropriate, will help you, and postural work benefits nearly all horses. I like the new course from Annie Dillon Horsemanship, it's minefield in terms of finding ones that really work, and none will give all answers to all people of course!

Thank you. I was thinking about groundwork when I’m able to, more to keep her mind busy as she thrives from doing things, so I shall have a look at that.

 

[Moodymare88]

I don't mind at all! I got a great deal of help on here and some much needed sympathy .
My accident was so weird that everyone just laughed (and still do!)
I'm so sorry @Moodymare88 , it was a horrible time and I do remember the pain.
I didn't get any physio and I just had to be guided by the pain .
I ended up sorting of hobbling round the house dragging a chair round with me to kneel on with the poorly foot and walking on the other one.
At the time I just couldn't envisage my old life coming back. Yet here I am forgetting all about it till this post popped up!
I ve just signed up to do a 10 k run with a group of lady truckers for charity . It has taken a while as I've let the pain guide my recovery...but I'm really positive that I can wind up fitter than I was before the tree fell on me.
Please don't underestimate the hard work your body is doing right now to get you better, or the value of this forum when you need a boost!

Thank you! It’s nice to have some positive stories. I honestly feel like someone has a voodoo doll of me at the moment with the bad luck I’ve had this year! Me and my other half are going to Florida next year, so another incentive to get back on my feet as that is going to be a very active holiday!

 

[Moodymare88]

As Peglo says, I had a very bad fall in November 2022 and basically internally detached my foot from my leg. I broke tib and fib, smashed through the ankle joint and ruptured the ligaments that hold your foot in place (deltoid being one) so it was externally at an angle. I lost the pulse to my foot for 2 hours so it’s a miracle I still have it.
I have two plates and about 10 screws, all still in there.

Recovery was boring but fine. 6 weeks cast total non-weight bearing and then 6 weeks boot. Once I got in the boot I improved massively. I pushed myself to weight bear and walk and ditched the crutches within about 2 weeks of getting the boot. By week 4 of boot I was walking a couple of miles with the dogs on the sand dunes.
I got the all clear to remove the boot on a Friday, drove that afternoon and was back on a horse on the Saturday, 12 weeks post accident.

Riding was sore for a couple of weeks. I had to keep taking my foot out the stirrup but I just pushed through it and carried on. I try to ride in long boots now as short boots don’t give me quite the support I need. Plus, the only reason my bones didn’t come through the skin was probably the long boots I was wearing so it’s made me quite aware of having that extra protection.
Within a month of being out of the boot, I’d say I was totally back to normal. No limp, no pain, nothing.

Only things I notice now are-
If I cross my legs with that one on top, my foot goes a bit numb.
After a deep sleep when I haven’t moved much, my ankle feels a bit stiff the first time I move it.

Thats pretty much it. I basically treated it completely normally straight away and have never fussed around it or been overly cautious with it. I was warned I had a life changing injury due to the damage to the joint, but honestly, I don’t notice a thing yet. Whether it will bite me on the bum in years to come remains to be seen but it’s as happy as Larry at the moment.

I think my syndo screw has snapped now, as a few months ago I heard a lovely pop. I have full ROM in my ankle.

Theres a very long thread about my accident and recovery that you’ll be able to search for.

Good luck xx

Oh wow! That sounds very painful! Glad you made a full recovery xx

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Wishing you a speedy recovery. I found lessons on a mechanical horse helped to get my riding muscles back working properly, once all the boits/crutches etc were dispensed with

 

[Barton Bounty]

So sorry about your breaks. My husband went to a hyperbaric chamber to help heal his leg and shoulder. He had a triple left leg break, two rods in tib and femur and broken fib.
We found it really helped.

 

[scats]

Oh wow! That sounds very painful! Glad you made a full recovery xx

Thank you. Hurt a bit when I did it, but nothing too major. I don’t seem to feel pain like a normal person Once the surgery was done, I had zero pain from then on really.

I’d like to say I did all these wonderful things to get back in the saddle and strengthen it, but I literally just picked up where I’d left off.
I am a great believer in mindset playing a massive part in recovery from anything. It did used to swell in the early days and I was amazed how exhausted just simple stuff made me, but that faded.
It’s ever-so-slightly larger than my good ankle, but that’s all.

 

[luckyoldme]

Thank you! It’s nice to have some positive stories. I honestly feel like someone has a voodoo doll of me at the moment with the bad luck I’ve had this year! Me and my other half are going to Florida next year, so another incentive to get back on my feet as that is going to be a very active holiday!

There were other positives too... I would give anything to have a week sat on the sofa alternating between crotchet and jigsaws!