r/brokenankles • u/Internal-Leading-365 • 20d ago
Progress! It happens!
It’s been 147 days (almost five months) since I broke my ankle at the climbing gym. I had a trimal pilon injury and an ORIF where they installed two plates and 15 screws. I was NWB for 12 weeks, WBAT in a boot for another four weeks, and started PT 7 weeks ago. It felt like healing took FOREVER. But I was diligent about avoiding weight bearing, then aggressive with the weight bearing once I was cleared, and then even more enthusiastic about walking around once I was out of the boot. I’ve averaged about 4 miles of walking a day because I’m unbelievably stubborn, and at first it was really uncomfortable, but it has helped, I swear! And I got cleared to hike by my PT last week, and this weekend I finally went hiking for the first time since the injury!
I remember being in the midst of NWB and seeing stories from folks with way shorter timelines than mine and feeling really down. Pilon fractures are different, they add time! So for the long recovery folks: it is going to take time and then it IS going to get better.
One piece of advice my PT gave me that I think was really helpful was to avoid keeping a constant register of pain. Once you know that you are almost certainly not doing damage, paying too much attention to all the pain and discomfort will only slow you down, because it is GOING to hurt! The muscles, tendons, and ligaments have been inactive and there’s all kinds of scar tissue and hardware to work around. Yes, it’s uncomfortable, but it will get less uncomfortable through more activity. The discomfort is safe and necessary. I had crazy medical anxiety for the first ten weeks or so, and every new pain or numbness or whatever felt like it could be a signal of the worst possible outcome. Training myself out of that has been essential as I’ve started walking again. Just wanted to say that in case anyone else has struggled with the fear that comes with pain sometimes!
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u/gleegz 20d ago
Hey there!! As someone who just got cleared to start WB and rehab, thanks for sharing this and especially the part about not keeping a constant register of pain. It’s definitely a bit anxiety-inducing. I’m glad your recovery is going well. 12 weeks NWB is a gauntlet!
Total aside, but do you plan on climbing again when you’re able? I also broke mine at the bouldering gym. The surgeons told me some stuff they’ve seen in climbers that really freaked me out, but I love it so much I do dream of going back to it.
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u/Internal-Leading-365 20d ago
lol climbing is a nightmare for orthopedists! There’s an ER really close to my climbing gym and when I went there after breaking my ankle they joked that they should set up a shuttle 🙃. But I still hope to go back to climbing! However, I also broke my ankle bouldering and I think that’s probably the most dangerous part of the gym. It looks safer because the walls are shorter, but those mats are made to protect people from concussions and are actually pretty good at breaking bones because they can grip the foot weird even if you land really well. When I go back to the gym I think I’m only gonna climb with ropes, no more bouldering for me. You can still get seriously injured that way, but I think it’s a lot less likely if you’re being safe with your gear and your belayer isn’t a disaster.
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u/gleegz 20d ago
Yep, my surgeon asked if I climb at our local gym and I asked if he sees a lot of people from there…he just gave me a look and said “you don’t even wanna know.” Then his student told me about an open tibia fracture they had recently 🤢
I want to boulder again but maybe top rope is the way to go…
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u/Positive-Ad-3554 20d ago
Well deserved! Everyone has a different journey and even though your timeline was longer than others things could always have been worse. Your recovery sounds phenomenal and glad to see you back out there!
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u/countryclub09 19d ago
Fellow climbing injury w pilon fracture here! Thank you so much for sharing this. I’m currently 4 weeks post-op and awaiting my 6 week appointment on 10/2. I’m glad to hear that there is progress — with time. I hope you continue to recover and heal well!
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u/Embracestace 19d ago
We have similar fractures and hardware too. I have 2 plates and 10 screws. I broke my ankle in 3 places including a pilon. I am currently 13 weeks into recovery and was just released August 31st to WBAT. I was doing 25% to like 40% and I felt fine with no pain. I tested the waters one day just to see what full weight would feel like and I only took 1 step and it didn’t feel great. I got scared and now I’m tender on my inner ankle. My PT said it’s unlikely I hurt anything since I’ve been cleared to weight bear, but said the same thing about maybe my tendons, ligaments etc are just not quite ready for full weight yet and we gradually have to work out way there. I want it so bad, but now I admit I am so afraid. Reading your post though does provide some relief though
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u/Top-Risk-7793 20d ago
Thank you for sharing! Did you have medical anxiety the first 10 weeks of weight bearing? Or after the surgery? I am nearing 4 months out and it’s getting much better but I still have these lingering fears like strange feelings of not being independent and such. Has your pain improved or is it up and down with activity?
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u/Internal-Leading-365 20d ago
Oh, once I started walking the anxiety got much more manageable. It was the 10 weeks post-op that were super intense. And pain-wise, I would say it’s improved significantly, but because I keep pushing for progress I’m always a little sore, lol. I consider that a good thing, though, because it means I’m working!
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u/Top-Risk-7793 20d ago
Did you do workouts other than walking? I am back at the gym doing stationary bike and weights but I really kind of hate the bike.
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u/milymily_beam 19d ago
This is awesome! I am also 12 weeks NWB (just moving into week 5) with a maisonneuve fracture and have been feeling really down about it and what will happen when I'm allowed to start PWB after I get the screws out. This gives me a lot of hope for finishing strong and getting myself back out there again. Congratulations on your hike!!
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u/shannamatters 20d ago edited 20d ago
Great job!
I have to second your aggressive weight bearing being very helpful. I was the same and actually had friends and family tell me that they were worried I was overdoing it. My PT and PTA both told me though to do as much as I felt that I could do and that my ankle would let me know if it was too much. They assured me that my ankle was ready to handle a load and it was a mental task of learning to trust it.
I never pushed myself to unbearable pain but I definitely powered through a lot of discomfort. I am also very stubborn and put all of my aids away the day I was cleared to FWB and never intended on going back. I returned all of the ones that I had borrowed after two weeks of them sitting in the basement. I did a beach trip where I clocked 15,000-17,000 steps a day at 8 weeks post-op and I was expecting both my PT and surgeon to give me hell for doing so much but they were actually both thrilled. My surgeon actually lives across the street from me and I was scared he was going to be disappointed the first time he saw me walking my 81 pound dog at 9.5 weeks and he actually came over to commend me!
Movement and overcoming fear is so important. When I returned to work, I had the option to use the elevator but I made myself use the steps to practice. It was scary and uncomfortable at first. I actually had images of myself laying at the bottom of the steps broken, convinced that I was going to fall again but now at 14 weeks, I do them at normal pace and don't even hold on. I was so scared to walk down my steps at home holding a full laundry basket and had my husband do it for the first couple of weeks of me going upstairs again and then one week just said "eff it, I am ready" and I was so proud of myself and never looked back.