How did you injure your ankle and what's your age?
Posted , 37 users are following.
I've been reading posts for a good while now and have found everyone to be so kind, caring, compassionate and helpful. People are really friendly here!
I thought it might be interesting to just give a short sentence or two, on how we got hurt and if you want to, include your age.
I got hurt at a Prince Tribute Skate (roller skating) on May 10th. I had a Closed bimalleolar Fracture of left ankle. I'm 51. 
Beth
3 likes, 160 replies
alestor1991 Lamborghini_Gal
Posted
It happened 1.5 years ago when I was playing flag football in a league. Prior to the game I sprained my ankle pretty badly, but foolishily decided to play despite limping quite noticably. Second play of the game, I'm wide open for a touchdown on a slant route, ball is thrown perfectly my way and my ankle just 'gives out' just as I catch the ball and fall into the endzone. I look down in pain and yy ankle is dislocated and looked mangled. Luckily, my bro and my other friend, who are also playing, are resident physicians and quickly come and fix the dislocation. Worst pain ever.
I get an x-ray in the ER and there is no fracture, I'm relieved. 2 weeks later I still can't bear weight so I go to my ortho and later get an MRI. I had: a torn deltoid ligament, partially torn (split tear) posterior tibial tendon, torn ATFL, and a 'small avulsed bone fragmen'. My ortho says it'll heal up with PT, so I go for 6 months and it still hurts to simply walk. I later went to an Ortho that specialized in ankles and he said to get surgery ASAP or it'll only get worse. So i got surgery and now 1 year later with 8 months of rigorous PT my ankle feels normal when I walk, but it still hurts a bit if I sprint or makes cuts in football at full speed, leaving me unable to play sports at a high level. Not sure what the next step is for me as I want to play football or even basketball really badly. I'm 24.
Lamborghini_Gal alestor1991
Posted
That is terrible! I am glad that you took that surgeons advice and got the surgery though. I'm sure it's really frustrating (and maybe a little depressing) to not be able to do something at the speed you once did. For you, it's sports at a high level. For me, it's just being able to walk fast, they way I always did. I limp now, all the time and use a cane, when needed. My L. ankle is pretty much frozen and that means, very very little ROM. I can't even remotely walk fast, at all! If someone tried to get me, I'd be in a real mess! Hahaha! :-) But I completely understand how you feel. And you're only 24. I'm 51. I bet as time goes on for you, since you're young, you will be able to resume playing sports at the level you did before. I wish you the best of luck.
Beth
jan30278 alestor1991
Posted
Ouch! I am so sorry about your accident. and you are so young. What a sad story. I am glad to hear that you can walk normally, but it sounds like sports are a huge part of your life. Isn't it amazing the difference just one second can make? This is a horrible injury for all of us and it takes a lot of time- i had a bimalleolar fx- and my ankle specialist told me that I should get 90% usage back- and will most likely have arthritis w/in 10 years.
Stinks, but I will adapt for sure. Hang in there and I hope you continue so see improvment.
keeponsingin alestor1991
Posted
I feel you there. At 16 I tore my ATFL and was told by the surgeon if I ever wanted to run or dance again, I needed to have it repaired...so I had the surgery, but my ankle hasn't been the same ever since...and I'm about to be 26
I mean, yes, I can run, but not as fast or as far as I used to, and yes I can dance, but never en pointe again. It really sucks.
alestor1991 keeponsingin
Posted
firefoot Lamborghini_Gal
Posted
Hi all, so glad I lucked up on this site. Ok so, I broke my left fibula @ the ankle trying to learn to drive a motorcycle during a class I signed up for. The upsetting part abt that class was once I fell they didn't have a basic first aid kit. No ice packs- a guy went & got ice out his car, no wraps- a lady had fabric in her car to wrap my ankle, had to use an eye patch for a bandage on my knee. I sat for abt 10mins during this, so after all that, the instructor tell me you have to get back on the bike or you're done. As you all guessed I hopped my butt back on the bike, esp when I taught abt the time & money wasted. The instructor wanted to see if I could switch the gears, bad idea i couldn't move the lever. Was told to go home (not the hospital😠
ice/elevate my foot, which I did.
Woke up the next morning my foot & leg swollen. Finally go to hospital which tells me its broke. So currently I'm 3 days post op with new hardware plus an implant to correct my flat foot,nwb, supposed to be in a boot, but not. Still trying to manage the burning, spasms, itching, the just being still 😦. Can't wait til this is over. Sorry but not sorry this is way longer than the couples of lines you asked for Beth. I had to let it out & that wasn't going to happen in two lines. 😄
Lamborghini_Gal firefoot
Posted
firefoot! I am so sorry that all happened. The instructor should have known better AND been a little more concerned and compassionate. He should have never told you to go home. He should have at the very least, told you that he thinks you should get to the hospital and then let you decide.
I am glad you got your surgery over with though. I have to have my two screws out, early next year. Are they going to remove your screws? Some doctors remove them and some don't.
I'm glad you wrote all that! There was no way, like you said, you could do that in two sentences. LOL
I know this is a long road. It's really a long road. BUT, the good news is, you get further and further away from your "hurt" date. That is the way I see it for me. I get further and further away, with each passing day, from May 10th. (My hurt date).
Thinking of you and thank you for sharing your story.
Beth
marymollie Lamborghini_Gal
Posted
Lamborghini_Gal marymollie
Posted
marymollie, it seems like when it rains, it pours!! I'm glad that your pain is manageable though. That's good. I remember I had one night in particular that my L ankle was just really bothering me. I finally took a pain pill, which really helped me get sleepy. I hope they give you clearance to start some weight bearing. Although FOR ME (and I'm weird), LOL I was afraid to try to put ANY weight on it and wouldn't in my PT sessions for at least two of the sessions. I was just terrified it would hurt or I would mess up what they put in there. Thank God I finally got up the nerve.
Beth
marymollie Lamborghini_Gal
Posted
Lamorghini Gal, thanks for your comment😀. No weight bearing yet but did get clearance to return to work next week with a knee scooter so that is at least something. Also received clearance to sleep "unbooted" and be unbooted around the house as much as possible. That does scare me. Can't imagine crutching with out that extra support. I knew from reading all of the posts on this forum that recovery was a long process, but hoped so much that I would be an exception and great healer.
Weezer Lamborghini_Gal
Posted
Hi Beth, I feel the exact same way. Nervous about putting full boot weight on my new left star. I'm Weezer from MD & had my surgery done Sept. 16th. I'm sure I'll get passed these feelings, but with a million questions to to therapist. Poor him/her! Happy days to try to walk on my own. Been in boot 6/2/16 (from previous suregery to prepare for tar) Good luck & healing to you!
Lamborghini_Gal Weezer
Posted
Weezer, I know what you mean! (For me) I was so worried about putting weight on my left foot. Really worried! LOL! I kept thinking, what if it doesn't work? What if it hurts? What if the hardware won't hold my weight? What if, what if, what if. Yeah - I'm one of "those people." Thankfully, I finally got up the nerve to try to put weight on my left foot and that was quite a while ago. I fell May 10th and had surgery on FRIDAY the 13th, of all days! But we will get through this! It's a long road. That is for sure! And good luck to you too in your hearling! :-)
Beth
Weezer Lamborghini_Gal
Posted
Lol Beth,
you must be inside my head! Wow your quite a gambler getting surgery on Friday the 13th. May the odds be ever in your favor & healing & pt be kind to you on this long road.
Weezer
Lamborghini_Gal Weezer
Posted
Hahaha! I had never been in the hosp., never had an IV, never been sedated - in my life! Until May 10th and I was 50 years old. That's pretty good. But when they told me my surgery would be the 13th, I immeditely realized it was Friday, the 13th, but I knew I had no choice. I'm just glad that is over with. Now, one more surgery to go, and I'm done!!! LOL! And I wish the same for you, Weezer! Love that name. :-)
Beth
barbara58104 Lamborghini_Gal
Posted
Hi, I broke my left ankle a month ago falling down a small step- details too boring to recount. Also broke a small bone in right foot. Had surgery to repair and the stitches came out two weeks ago. I'm - normally - a very active 72 year old who, apart from having children, has never been near a hospital in my life, so the whole experience was traumatic to say the least. No new cast but a moon boot to match the one I'm already wearing on right foot. No weight bearing for 4 more weeks, then slowly adding weight. Boots come ff at night and i have a foot and ankle guard for left one to wear in bed. I have found the comments in this forum very helpful indeed. Inactivity, lack of independence, frustration with almost everything and mood swings are all familiar. Dreading pysio as it seems to be worse than recovering from surgery. Thankfully I have an amazingly supporive partner. Will keep following. Thank you all for posting. Barbara
gsmeall barbara58104
Posted
Oh boy...I can't imagine 2 boots! Poor you. I fell going up one small step. Things happen in the blink of an eye and you wonder "How the heck??". I still don't know how I managed it. I didn't need surgery and was put in a boot right away. I have to wear my boot to sleep. Finally getting used to that. I am going through all the same as you. Very frustrating going from doing everything to having everything done for you. (except....I am enjoying the spoiling by hubby! He's amazing!). Take care Barbara and speedy recovery!