Broken ankle - Health + Injury

Ollie

23/04/2005 at 20:26

Hey all,

I broke my ankle about 5 weeks ago. I've been up and down since then - I missed FLM (was good for sub 2:50 this year), but haven't really missed my running too much until recently.

I've lost my appetite, my leg is wasting away and I'm feeling really down. My finals are coming up and I don't feel like doing any work towards them whatsoever. I can't sleep because I'm not burning off any energy and as a result I'm permanently tired, which hardly helps my mood.

Has anyone else ever broken an ankle? My break's in the tibia, and I have a plate in place to hold it in line. How long was it until you could start running again? I'm going to the gym which is helping but I'm desperate to do some running agin!!

The Angel of Death

23/04/2005 at 21:17

Surely after 5 weeks, you are close to getting back?

Maybe you could try something like swimming? That has got to be the ultimate rehab sport. Even if you only really want to do running- you can't, so why not make the most of an opportunity. Try something new. There is always rowing, golf (if you can walk), weight training, yoga, etc. All of these can be modified to allow for your ankle. Probably best leave the trampolining and parachuting 'till you're better though ;)

This layoff doesn't have to be a 'bad' thing mate. It maybe the period where you realised how much you loved running, or perhaps where you discovered a sport which you had previously never considered.

Whatever happens, try not to be too down about it. Check out the forum and join in some threads. It will help keep your interest high.

Hope you come back to the fold soon, Nick :)

Cinders

24/04/2005 at 09:21

Hi Ollie, are you still in a cast and if so is it due off soon as at 6 weeks I'd guess you're nearly ready. I broke my fib 2 years ago and had it plated too and I too got really down about it just before I had my cast off.

Are you going to have physio? That's what really got me back on track, excercises to build up the wasted muscle.

I wasn't allowed to fully run till after 16 weeks but as soon as the cast was taken off was able to non weight bear cross train, ie cycling, swimming etc.

Hope you're back on your feet soon

Ollie

24/04/2005 at 10:26

Thanks guys, I have tried swimming with a plastic sock but to be honest I don't find it very fulfilling. However long I'm in the pool for I get out and don't feel like I've done anything.

I've been weight training (as I always do) my upper body but can't row or do anything standing :(

The cast is coming off on Tuesday which is great, and I'm almost certain that I'm going to need some physio afterwards. It's funny because I haven't been down about it for long periods until now, right before I have the cast removed.

I don't know whether I'll need a weight-bearing cast afterwards (the NHS have been hopeless about informing me) but if I can cycle as soon as it's off that'd be great. Here's hoping :)

Funky Spider

24/04/2005 at 23:01

Have you tried Aquajogging Ollie? - I've got an ankle ligament injury and to keep up the cardio and running machanics in a non-weight bearing way, have been aquajogging at my local pool - very effective and knackering if you do it properly.

amandarunning

25/04/2005 at 12:36

Hi Ollie, I broke my tibia and have not run a step since 5th December...I thought I'd be suicidal but have kept my spirits up by swimming - I was lucky to have private medical cover so got an air boot fitted rather than a cast so I could take that off to swim. I'm about another month off running still as the healing is slower than hoped for but...

The key thing is just to switch that mindset which made you a damned good runner (sub 2.50 - kool!) and use it for whatever else you are able to do, be that swimming, cycling, walking - whatever. In fact I reckon I'll be a better and tougher runner for this experience both mentally and physically as I'll keep some of the x training going and take more running rest days than before the injury.

So, use that bit in your head that keeps you going at mile 20 of a marathon, or makes you do one more mile rep even though it's hurting. Sometimes I sit at the poolside and think "I just don't want to be here" but I get in and swim, and swim, and swim...and get out feeling I've conquered another challenge. I swam 10.5km on Saturday which is allegedly the same energy consumption as running a marathon - did I get anything like the post-marathon buzz - nope...but I had achieved something and that was good enough.

Good luck and chin up,

Amanda

Ollie

27/04/2005 at 10:26

Thanks Amanda...that's good advice!

I had the cast removed yesterday, and the consultant thought I said I should be walking within a week which is great news. I was worried about muscle wastage but my leg looks no different than it did after 2 weeks when I had the cast changed, so hopefully it'll build back up reasonably quickly. I've got to book myself in for some physio so I'm going to follow his/her advice on what exercises I should and shouldn't be doing.

amandarunning

27/04/2005 at 11:13

Ollie, I too suffered serious wastage (or so it felt) in my calf in the first couple of weeks but then it seemed to slow up. It does come back v quickly once you are weight bearing on it - just walking/cycling...mine is just ever so slightly less muscly on the inside, upper calf sort of just below the knee and I guess that must be a running muscle and I aint doing any of that...yet!

Do the exercises you are given and keep positive - each time you overcome one of your "I'm so fed up and wish I could run" moments by doing something else is another battle won...keeps your mental toughness at its peak...in fact I reckon I will be a tougher runner for this experience...

Good luck and keep us updated as to your progress. I'll be v interested to hear how your first run goes and how soon you start to get back into proper training.

Amanda

Ollie

07/05/2005 at 12:01

Progress update!

Sorting out NHS physio treatment has been a nightmare, owing to red tape blocking transfers of medical notes between hospitals. I still haven't even managed to book an appointment.

Nonetheless the leg is recovering well without physio - I've been cycling and using eliptical trainers in the gym, and my walking's now almost back to normal. Comparing flexibility between ankles, there's now very little difference...I'm startign to wonder whether physio would be worthwhile?

Cinders

08/05/2005 at 23:22

Good news Ollie on your progress. Physio would still be a good thing as they can advise on special exercises etc to strenghen your ankle as well. Keep up the good work!

alehouse

08/05/2005 at 23:42

If I remember right Marty Liquori broke his leg, spent eight weeks in the gym, and came out and ran sub 4 minutes for a mile...I believe he described himself as the first cross trainer. Ran 3.52 or 53 I think late 70s when the Americans had a number of class milers led by Jim Ryan. Get back in the gym, Ollie...I wonder what times you will run when you are back in action.

I've not run for 7 weeks due to stress fractures in both shins...I go to the gym but hate it. Probably don't have Amanda's mindset!

Keep us informed Ollie.

amandarunning

09/05/2005 at 10:17

Sounds good news Ollie but agree that it will be worth at least one trip to the physio to get an assessment and possibly exercises to increase flexibility and strength...

I've been able to start cycling and plan to run a mile on Friday - yikes - wish me luck!!

Amanda

Ollie

09/05/2005 at 10:22

Thanks all and good luck Amanda! I'll keep bugging the hospital to sort out my notes. Alehouse - I'm just happy to be able to exercise again - try to be positive because working hard on the rowing machines and cross trainers can get your heart rate as high as you do when you run. I miss my running but realise that working in the gym will build my fitness up and get me back on the road sooner!

amandarunning

10/05/2005 at 15:38

That's the attitude Ollie :-)

Keep the cardio fitness and lose the ongoing running aches and pains with enforced rest and come back a better runner - that's what I keep telling myself!!

Amanda

cns

10/05/2005 at 21:28

i busted my leg 7 years ago, bi-malleal fracture of my right ankle. Had it plated n pinned and spent 6 weeks in plaster. Did the usual physio when out of plaster and t'ings were good. I wasn't a runner then (not really now), but with three months I was back doing weights (quite serious sqauts and deadlifts, up to 180kg dead lifts). Anyway... i'd say keep up with the physio, make sure you do the exercises between classes and you'll be ok.

The ankle's never been the same since, and never will be "normal". It swells in the cold, aches and is stiff, and looks plain ugly! But, it did get me round the FLM in 2003 and will do so again next year I hope.

cns

10/05/2005 at 21:28

oh yeah - that's the outside of my ankle on the photo!

Cinders

10/05/2005 at 22:53

Cns, nice pic, I've got similar! Have you still got the plate and pin in? I had mine removed last year after year in place (got to keep plate and ten pins!) and I've never had a problem since despite having problems during the winter with the pin and the screws working their way out!

Ollie

11/05/2005 at 10:14

cns that's a huge deadlift! Mine's pinned from the other side and looks clean, especially since it's still naked from being shaved!

Cinders

11/05/2005 at 12:45

Hey that's not fair, you guys can grow your hair back to cover your scars, us ladies can't...well you could but lets not go there :-)

cns

11/05/2005 at 20:56

i had two screws on the inner ankle and then a plate about 5" long and six screws holding the fib together on the outside. And yes, I did keep the metal work. And a copy of the x-ray too. (Unfortunately, only the one with the metal in it, not the raw break which would have been cool).