Tibia fracture - how long before you started riding again?

[ImmyS]

I fractured my tibia in three places on the 15th September in a horse riding accident. The fractures were all distal tibia fractures, one going into the ankle joint. My ankle was pinned with three pins and was in a cast for around 3/4 months. I have been walking since Christmas and have been having physio sessions and it is getting stronger. My consultant originally said I should wait about 6 months before getting back into sports - it has been almost 7 months and although my ankle feels good, it is still quite fragile and can get sore. However I am so desperate to get back into riding again as soon as possible. I was just wondering if any horse riders out there have had the same/similar injury and how long it was before you started riding again?

Thank you

 

[soulfull]

I have had multiple ankle surgeries including 2 replacement ankle joints. It is far less painful to ride than it is to walk. my last surgery was 19th Dec and I've been back riding nearly 2 weeks. I had to have part of my foot fractured and a bone graft, as well as part of the ankle joint replaced, again.
So as long as bones are healed I would try on a safe horse. I find it builds my muscles without all the weight going through it
Just make sure you have good boots and wide tread stirrups as these make all the difference. the wide tread is more helpful than bendy stirrups. I use these which are a bit of both

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Compositi...Horse_Wear_Equipment&var=&hash=item2c7cba9b2b

 

[ImmyS]

Thank you for the reply - I feel I will be better off riding as it will help build the muscle and strength. I have been cycling and it has been completely fine. My parents are sceptical and are just scared in case I fell more than anything. Physically I think I'm strong enough - it's probably just the mental block more than anything right now. Thank you for the advice on boots etc. I need some new boots so will invest in some good quality supportive ones.

 

[Goldenstar]

It took five years and six surgeries to ' fix ' mine I sat on horses and hacked at times in that five years .

 

[ImmyS]

A friend had just kindly offered for me to ride her horse this Sunday so we shall see how we go. If it's not quite right then I'll wait a little while longer.

 

[soulfull]

I would not buy expensive boots just yet as you may need a bigger size atm I know I do. I can't fit in my ariats that I got just before surgery

I bought these last week and comfort and support wise they are better than ariats. the rear zip and front laces make it much easier to put your foot in and adjust them to each foot
http://www.robinsonsequestrian.com/riding-apparel/footwear/jodhpur-boots/brampton-paddock-boots.html

The only down side is that the leather scraatches easier than ariats soI don't think they will last as long, but they are less than half the price and will probably be too big (hopefully)

ps you may need to wear an extra sock on the other foot lol

 

[Goldenstar]

I started in a pair of shire leather boots with a back zip in a much bigger width I am .
I then used thick socks for comfort .
It was a while before I could bare chaps and things .
The boots where just over £100 they did their job and where worth it .

 

[soulfull]

I started in a pair of shire leather boots with a back zip in a much bigger width I am .
I then used thick socks for comfort .
It was a while before I could bare chaps and things .
The boots where just over £100 they did their job and where worth it .

the ones I just got sre shires with a back zip too cheaper tho £66

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

I fractured my tibia in three places on the 15th September in a horse riding accident. The fractures were all distal tibia fractures, one going into the ankle joint. My ankle was pinned with three pins and was in a cast for around 3/4 months. I have been walking since Christmas and have been having physio sessions and it is getting stronger. My consultant originally said I should wait about 6 months before getting back into sports - it has been almost 7 months and although my ankle feels good, it is still quite fragile and can get sore. However I am so desperate to get back into riding again as soon as possible. I was just wondering if any horse riders out there have had the same/similar injury and how long it was before you started riding again?

Thank you

sending vibes,



I just had my humerus plaited after 3 months of leaving it to try heal and didnt

 

[WandaMare]

I fractured my tibia at the top and it went into my knee joint, so slightly different to yours. Its pinned and plated and took 8 months before I could get back into the saddle. My physio said that skiing and riding are the best exercise for rebuilding muscle because the movement exercises muscles automatically and passively which really helps. I found it quite painful to start with, particularly rising trot but generally it was easier than my physio exercises! I also put a tubigrip bandage over the area with some cotton wool padding to protect the operation site which could still be sore.

Psychologically I felt it was important to get back on as soon as i could and in fact I was much less nervous than I thought I would be. I think the excitement of riding again and the relief that I still could far outweighed any loss of confidence.

I do pilates/yoga and swimming regularly now to keep my muscles really strong. I find it makes a huge difference to my knee. Aqua aerobics is particularly good because it strengthens and tones the muscles without putting too much strain on my knee. All this is motivated by being able to ride well again of course

 

[ImmyS]

Thank you for the detailed reply - I'm glad your injury is doing well.

I am very excited to get back in the saddle and I am missing it so much. I know the accident that caused the injury was a complete freak accident and so I'm not particularly nervous about getting back in the saddle. My parents not thinking I'm ready is what is playing on my mind the most I think.

 

[blood_magik]

I did mine up the top at the knee joint (tibial plateau) - ended up with two plates and a good few screws.
They told me 5 months but I was back in the saddle after about 3-3.5. It took 6 months until I was able to start jumping again because my knee felt unstable.

It's still not 100% 18 months later but it's getting there.