Thread: anybody ever bust an ankle?

I entered a slopestyle comp/rail jam at Loveland yesterday. I took home the stupidest-old-man-who-refuses-to-grow-up award.
Toeside edge caught while I was facing uphill sending me forward over my toes. The board didn't slide out. Broke my Talus bone (part of the ankle socket) into 3 pieces and cracked another bone in my ankle. Checked into the hospital last night, had surgery this morning and am chillin' in the hospital now. They'll let me out tomorrow. Multiple screws and about a 50/50 shot that it'll heal. I have to get xrays again in 9 months to see if it's healed. If not, they go back in. Doc says I'll have 3 months on crutches (no weight bearing) and then loads of PT. The ER doc said that in 20 years, he'd never seen one break like that.
Anybody have any experience with ankle breaks and can tell me what to expect besides a few months of bitching and whining?

Dude, that sucks so huge. Really sorry to hear it. Your humility is humbling. That's one suck break. Other than kickin out to heal, I can only suggest eating really good foods to promote that healing, preferably all organic. You're gonna need to utilize every available option to promote growth. Get well and good vibes sent.

edit: Comfrey root tea - 'the boneknitter'

Sorry to hear about that 3o3. Second to the last day of the season too. Well, at least you have all summer to heal up.

I broke both ankles and have 6 pins in one of them. That fracture occured right at the joint also. It healed pretty well and now I don't really notice any difference, except for the occasional arthritic type pains, but nothing major. Make sure you go balls to the wall during PT, because you will lose ROM very quickly. PT for ankles is a biatch, but you will be greatful after the fact. Heal up quick!

Broke my talus bone 10 years ago climbing (falling)
PT was really helpful after the surgery healed, it turned out much better than the surgon thought it would. Needed lots of time on balance boards too.
Still get some problems from time to time but its mostly OK skiing and climbing.
Good luck, hope it heals well

That sux man!

On a related note: met a guy on the lift yesterday... he is on permanent social security disability due to a severe ankle break he got from falling off a roof a few years back. the doctors said the only physical activity he is allowed to do is.... SKIING... and that he *MUST* (this is a prescription) do it 5 times a week...

sponsored by uncle sam!

Are there awards for those kinds of doctors?

Originally posted by iskibc

I broke both ankles and have 6 pins in one of them.

Did you break them both at the same time? From the way I fell, I'm just really lucky that I didn't. I can't imagine how bad that'd suck.

Redskea - That's encouraging news.

Splat - I think I still have some of that stuff from your recommendation when I busted my clavicle last year.

3o3, that totally sucks. Really sorry to hear that, man. First your collarbone, and now this. I broke my ankle a few years ago, not nearly as bad as yours, and it bugs me but doesn't keep me from doing anything.

A friend shattered his a couple years ago. Lots of pins, metal, etc. He doesn't really PT it, doesn't do too much activity besides hiking but it doesn't stop him from doing anything.

IMO, the best thing I did for my ankle -- besides PT and all that -- was lose weight. Less weight == less force and all that.

Fuck, and I was looking forward to riding with you if we come out for the crackhouse spectacular.

Good luck, meng.


J-

My best friend basically spent two years on crutches (they finally fused his ankle) and barely avoided amputation - he stayed positive and even skied on one ski using outriggers for a season (ripped as hard as anyone on two - he is a unique guy, and a snowboarder as well). He will never be back to where he was but he still can still outski almost everyone in Aspen.

My point: stay positive - of course you'll be back to your ripping ways - just adapt and manage the things that you can control.

Good luck - I am really sorry to hear such a shitty story.

I was talking to guy getting his Ph. D. in some snowboard-related discipline and he told me snowboarding was responsible for a 30% increase in ankle fractures worldwide.
He said his studies also showed more injuries for skiers since the introduction of shaped skis. I asked for a copy of the data and it's supposed to be on the way. Wonder what the rail factor is...........

Sorry to hear that. But seriously pay attention to your PT. It is what will get you healed the fastest. Damn man that is a freak brake considering the complexity of it.

Also look into some acupuncture. I fractured the same bone last summer. (just hairline) and played through the Canadian Championships with it. The acupuncture got me through it. I recommend it to all.

I've broken mine and the only noticable crap i've had to deal with it over the past few years is swelling up a little more than usual on a sprain. Not much to say except work your butt off in PT even when the exercises seem stupid.

Bummer, man.

sorry to hear it. good luck

heal up good man. i dont know if itll do shit for you, but i think taking glucosamine mighta helped my knee, its feeling as good as ever. good luck

Terrible news 3o3! Take care of yourself, man... I'm crossing my fingers for you that you have an excellent & speedy recovery. Hang in there!
Sprite

That sucks. I've never had a broken ankle, (just one I keep rolling), but good luck with the recovery and stay positive.

Shitty man...heal fast.

Exact reason I don't pretend to go to the park-o no more. sucks dude.

Meat told me about this late Sat, so so bummed to hear man ! I don't know if it's the meds talking but you sound pretty postive about it. hope your recovery is quick, easy and strong !

Wow, that sucks, man. Fear of getting hurt is the number one reason I haven't tried to learn how to board, props to you for sacking up and going for it, sorry it turned out this way. Keep your chin up.

thanks all!
I'm more pissed at myself than anything else. I really had no business competing. I was hoping they'd have a 40+ or at least a 30+ age bracket (they'd suggested that possibility earlier). When I found out the upper age bracket was 20+, I resigned myself to just have some fun. Like an idiot, I pushed too hard when it came time though. I guess it's time to admit that I'm not a teenager anymore and start taking it easy.
my park days are done for good but it was a lot of fun this season.

shit mang. still trying to figure out what happened...toeside edge caught while facing uphill? wha?

heal heal heal! take splat's dirty-hippie advice - get all up on what you can get into your body to get that chit to knit...

heal heal heal! heal! heal hea!

I guess it's time to admit that I'm not a teenager anymore and start taking it easy.

Bite your tongue.

I've managed to break an ankle, but not nearly as badly as yours - I broke the medial maleolus off of my right tibia. I'm very sorry to hear about your injury.

I'm currently taking the following on a daily basis:
1500mg's calcium
zinc
multi-vitamin
800mg ibuprofin or lortab as needed

It may be too early, but has your doctor made any dietary/supplement recommendations?

Comfrey root tea - 'the boneknitter'

Comfrey root tea? Honestly? Splat . . . .


Heal fast and heal well.

Saw you on the back of a sled, sorry to hear that. I resided to not really push myself that day, that terrain wouldnt really permit anything crazy. At least you tried, there was definitely some competition out there sat.

Originally posted by gonzo
shit mang. still trying to figure out what happened...toeside edge caught while facing uphill? wha?

I popped up off a little lip they had set up at the top of the course. I twisted a little causing the board to land toeside. The board slid down the hill with me standing on it and facing the hill. When the toeside edge caught in the snow, my toes bent upward.

Heh, I just checked the Loveland site for the results and even though I didn't get to finish my 2nd run or do the rail jam, i didn't finish last! I rule!!