Broken Ankle

GiftofGab

I'm not sure if this is in the right forum so mods feel free to move.

I broke my ankle about 15 months ago, in which I had to get a plate and 6 pins put into it. Following this, I went back to playing rugby about 5 months later. Now the physio gave me some exercises to do. Mainly just hanging one foot on a step/stair and raising them from about 15 reps. My problem is that it's been well over a year now and the ankle is still giving me trouble. I can run around on it but it starts to get painfull and weak when I run on it for long periods. Like for instance, if I play a rugby match the ankle will start to give way mid way through the second half. I find it difficult to finish a full match and would limping off the pitch.

Can anybody shed any insight into this. Is there any more exercises I should be doing? Is it normal for the ankle to still be troubling me? How long will it last?

EileenG

You should go to a good sports specialist and get your ankle looked at again. Normally, you should be fully fit by now, but it's obvious you had an exceptionally bad break, so healing would be slower. I'd still expect normal function by now.

The trouble is a lot of doctors think in terms of the average person, who would be quite happy to have a painfree ankle for walking, climbing stairs and normal activities. They wouldn't demand to be able to run in difficult conditions for a couple of hours. It's possible you need extra physio or other rehab work to get from "normal" to "properly fit".

As a very loose comparision, my husband broke his leg in three places and needed an op and plate and pins as a result. He was walking on it 6-8 weeks later, but said it was about 6 months before he was leppin' about the place on it, certain it could take what he dished out. And he's a lot older than you. So I'd imagine that by six months, you should feel solid on it.

murraymarmalade

wow.......very similar break to mine i suspect,same with pins and a plate.

my biggest problem though was my ankle ligaments though,they have never healed properly though. eg after a long walk i would find some discomfort.the same if i was doing some lifting and carrying,i would start limping after a while,it would be ok in a few hours but its the same pattern all the time.(if you did have ligament problems,get them sorted properly.....unlike me)
ps,my break was in 1998:(

mcnewberson

I broke my Ankle (fibula - double fracture and dislocation, Had a plate and 5 pins inserted) recently, I understand any medical advice cannot be given on this forum. What I would like if possible is to hear from anyone that has had similar breaks and their recovery time.

Also can anybody suggest maybe a exercise program I can do right now at home for the rest of my body? I have plenty of time on my hands, already I feel my leg muscle depleting

Its so disappointing but what can I do :mad:

chocgirl

You should go back to the surgeon for a review if you can. It depends a lot on where the plating is and it's difficult to know how much function you will get without knowing this. Not everyone will get full function unfortunately.

Have you regained full motion? How much rehab did you actually do?

It should definitely be healed at this stage or they wouldn't have let you off in the beginning.

BossArky

Please seek professional medical advice.