Peroneal retinaculum tear - Should i get surgery to ski again?

I hurt my ankle badly while skiing a year and a half ago. It was misdiagnosed as ankle sprain by doctor. Following the months after the injury, the ankle kept on popping out. I did xrays, mri, ultrasound and everything looked fine, despite ankle clicking. A year later, the clicking did not occur as much, it became very unpredictable, and mostly when playing tennis, or horse riding.

For the last 2 months, it's been fine, without any popping which gave me hope...until two week ends ago, when horse riding, it kept on popping out again. I have been planning a bix 5 months expedition on a horse in Argentina starting in October. It's a massive challenge for me and don't want to cancel it. But at the same time, I am scared my ankle might give away in the middle of the trip if I don't get surgery.

I had finally an ultrasound done with a QUALIFIED (I insist on getting someone qualified to do the ultrasound because it will save you money and time) doctor who managed to make my ankle pop during the procedure. They found a hole in my retinaculum which explains the popping. He refrred me to an ankle specialist to discuss surgery.

Should I do this surgery? I am scared that I won't have recovered in time for my big expedition. If I get surgery in April, it should give me a good 6 months to recover. Do you think that will make it? I am also a big ski lover, and want to get back on skis. I have not skied since the accident and because of my unstable ankle, I feel like it would not be possible at the moment. If I get the torn retinaculum fixed, will I be able to ski again confidently? Has anyone had this surgery and been able to ski again as they used to?
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks guys!
Charlotte

JONGFORUMPOSTRIGHT!!!

Do a search for peroneal tendon, there are several old threads on this. I've shared some more details in those threads, but yes the surgery works and I am very happy that I had it done.

I just finished 6 weeks in a boot and so far the retinaculum appears to have scared back to the bone. I continued skiing throughout the whole 6 weeks. A tight ski boot gave significant support, but the docs didn't recommend it. I was told the recovery is fairly short for surgery. 6 weeks immobile then a few months of rehab. Where are you located? A good doc will be far more helpful than us.

Sorry to hear about your perineum. Sending vibes.

I'll move this over to the Gimp Central forum, you'll get better although perhaps less interesting information-

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Steven S. Dallas

Sorry to hear about your perineum. Sending vibes.

---

Ha! I see what you did there... ;)

Two-time peroneal tendon blower here. Rehab'd once..failed the second time. Gimped thru this season. Turn *POP* turn *POP*... At least it doesn't hurt a lot but has an unstable sensation. I was able to ski fairly well though, but was certainly more cautious.

The first time, i spent 8 weeks in a boot, followed by 8 weeks of PT. My PT didn't think I'd be able to do it - told me that when I "graduated". Then, about 2 years later, dug a tip into a groomer furrow, and *POP*...did it again. Tried to rest & rehab it, but it didn't take this time. I think I did in the cartilage this time - the piece that hold the tendon in the groove.

Gonna try to tele early next season. That will be the "tell". If I can't, I'll get it fixed.

++vibes++ and all that shit. It's a frustrating injury.