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Fractured my ankle 4 weeks ago tomorrow coming off a hill near Ullapool. Boot for 4-6 weeks and no running or hills for 3-4 months. I was hoping to stick some flat pedals on the road bike and start with some turbo, followed by road miles after the 6 weeks. Has anybody got experience of cycling after a fractured ankle?
It depends on the break but mine was broken really badly about a decade ago and I know I was out riding (MTB but fairly sensibly) well before I was walking normally.
I was about 10-12 weeks before I could walk well enough to consider the impact from putting my foot down off a bike, turbo could be quicker but your recovery time will be longer.
Sit down
For me - Tried turbo with a cast on. Silly - don't do that.
9-12 weeks from break with a spiral fracture - apparently good as lots of surface area to mend on.
About 9 weeks before tying an mtb with flats. Just to get out, really.
About 11 before risking spds. As chiefgroovguru - pedalling was easier than walking.
Good luck and I'd suggest you don't carry on like George Best on a Stag Do. I got really lardy.
Good luck and I’d suggest you don’t carry on like George Best on a Stag Do. I got really lardy.
I can attest to this. I'm 5 weeks in, boot off in a week. Am quite portly now.
Saying you have a ankle fracture is like saying you've got your hat. You could have a paper cut, or it could be dangling off.
I smashed mine in august last year. I've now got late stage arthritis and can hardly walk. Welcome.
I fractured the bottom of my fibula at the end of january. Stable fracture so just boot for six weeks. I did some light work on the indoor bike with the boot on after about three weeks with the blessing of my physio and started taking boot off in evening to gently walk around the house. Pedalling definately easier than walking. Back out on the MTB as soon as boot came off for steady riding. Tried landing a drop after first week and ankle hurt so left it a couple more weeks before doing anything else stupid. Can ride anything I could before it now. Still a little swollen and still nips occasionally when I walk.
Duckman I had my fib plated last July after a innocuous crash that dislocated my for also, was on the turbo 26 days after the op. BUT even though the bone has healed the ligaments are still causing me huge pain and can't run up hill yet which is a shitter in Sheffield
Thanks all,no ligament damage and have had the boot off in the evenings since the swelling went down and the toes weren't black...edit; removed the pic!
Following this as I joined the poorly ankle gang 4 weeks ago. Interesting that some of you could pedal more easily than walking.
@dropoff it was and still is much less painful to pedal than walk. The ankle doesn't actually flex that much while pedaling compared to walking. But an ankle fracture could be one of a few bones and a lot depends on which one it is.
Broke my Tib and Fib at the ankle. Plated. Four months to get back on the bike. Like someone above. Was riding before I could walk properly. I found that riding was the best physio for it. Didn't do any strenuous MTB riding but was riding properly about 6 months after breaking it.
Still have the plate even though they offered to take it out. Couldn't face another op. Consultant was pretty good about it. He just said if it ever bothers me to let them know and they would book me in to have it out
“ About 11 before risking spds. As chiefgroovguru – pedalling was easier than walking.”
I only ride flats so I’ve never had to worry about unclipping.
When they put my fibular back together I don’t think they aligned it correctly because the joint has had more limited movement ever since. The plate and screws are still there but they’re higher up the leg so I don’t think they’re interfering.
Our neighbour (a GP) reckons that 12 weeks is about normal - 6 weeks for the bones to knit to the point that you don't need a cast then, particularly for lower limb breaks, another six weeks for the break to gain full strength. Depending on the break some might be a week or so quicker or slower. Also depends on your age, health, etc.
Broke my fibula a few years ago, full on displaced fracture not just a crack, thought I'd just sprained* the ankle so walked around on it for three weeks! Decided it was good enough to commute into work, got to work twisted the ankle to release the SPD and thought "OW!" Went to get it x-rayed and got a right telling off 😧 Three weeks in an inflatable boot splint then another six to get it back to strength.
* The pain was bad but subsided fairly quickly. The pain was nowhere near as bad as my hip which was replaced later that year hence thinking it was a sprain.
Our neighbour (a GP) reckons that 12 weeks is about normal - 6 weeks for the bones to knit to the point that you don't need a cast then, particularly for lower limb breaks, another six weeks for the break to gain full strength. Depending on the break some might be a week or so quicker or slower. Also depends on your age, health, etc.
Broke my fibula a few years ago, full on displaced fracture not just a crack, thought I'd just sprained* the ankle so walked around on it for three weeks! Decided it was good enough to commute into work, got to work twisted the ankle to release the SPD and thought "OW!" Went to get it x-rayed and got a right telling off 😧 Three weeks in an inflatable boot splint then another six to get it back to strength.
* The pain was bad but subsided fairly quickly. The pain was nowhere near as bad as my hip which was replaced later that year hence thinking it was a sprain.
Our neighbour (a GP) reckons that 12 weeks is about normal - 6 weeks for the bones to knit to the point that you don't need a cast then, particularly for lower limb breaks, another six weeks for the break to gain full strength. Depending on the break some might be a week or so quicker or slower. Also depends on your age, health, etc.
Broke my fibula a few years ago, full on displaced fracture not just a crack, thought I'd just sprained* the ankle so walked around on it for three weeks! Decided it was good enough to commute into work, got to work twisted the ankle to release the SPD and thought "OW!" Went to get it x-rayed and got a right telling off 😧 Three weeks in an inflatable boot splint then another six to get it back to strength.
* The pain was bad but subsided fairly quickly. The pain was nowhere near as bad as my hip which was replaced later that year hence thinking it was a sprain.
Apologies for the triple post - the site/internet went weird.
Better ask Olly Wilkins (or even better, watch his Brankle Diaries on YouTube). Think he's broken his three times now.
Hasn't stopped him being a legend though.
Something like the space brace might be your new best friend, certainly is mine.
Also have a look at Tahnees Instagram highlights, she documented her recovery.
Whatever you do don't rush, as it may bite you in the ass(or ankle) in the near future.
Broke my Tib at the ankle and Fib at the knee. It was 6 weeks to very gentle riding and probably 12 before I was riding anything interesting. I would say I was back to not worrying about it at all in about 6 months. It was about two years ago and it still hurts from time to time.
Listen to your doctor and physio, they know what they are talking about. Trying to rush back is counter productive.
^ This, every case is different so what I or someone else on here have experienced is irrelevent to you.
Broke my fibula (quite badly, plates/pins/screws) a few years ago, 6 weeks non weight bearing, then (iirc) another 2 with moon boot, i was still another 4 after that before i ventured out on the bike. The danger is being forced to dismount in a hurry on the bad side.
I will say categorically though, once i was able to ride, progress was faster, and easy to notice.
Listen to your doctor would be my advice
Thank you for not posting pics.
@Jordan full dislocation and most bits broken. Put back together with plates, lots of screws and wire so not looking to rush back.
Jordan
Full Member
^ This, every case is different so what I or someone else on here have experienced is irrelevent to you.
That's very true,and I have the consultant next week. To be honest I am looking for success stories of people with fractures getting back on a bike/their feet etc as I am completely sickened just now. It is the least active I have ever been since an ACL tear in my 20's and I am suddenly feeling 52. This time of year I would be nipping to the local hills on foot or bike with a tent for a post work week reset or away for a trail run. I also had a brand new PX Tempest arrive just after I did it.
@dropoff that does sound like it needs a lot of healing, take care and best of luck!
@duckman I feel your frustration. Mine happened a few weeks into last lockdown and I was off work on full pay shielding. I was thinking this is great, I can get work done at home and get out loads on the bike and then snap, spent the rest of the time off doing very little. Just nicely back on my feet in time for lockdown ending and going back to work. I was pig sick, how often do you get three months paid time off work and it just felt like time wasted. 58 and january was my first ever broken bone. I sprained the same ankle badly in my 30s and that put me out of action for a while. Anyway, hope you heal quick and best of luck!
I thought I’d join this thread instead of starting another - I’ve read it and not got the answer I need.
I broke my ankle on Wednesday, not doing anything exciting, just walking the dogs on level pavement. I cockled over, in a hollow, and heard a crack. I was wearing hiking boots too. Had an X-ray and I have a Weber “A” fracture of my fibula. I was sent home from A & E with a leaflet and told to treat it like a soft tissue injury - rest for 24 - 48 hours then exercise as thought necessary without causing too much pain. The on-call consultant (it was a nurse who saw me at A & E) rang me that evening to check on me and was surprised that I had been sent out without any supporting boot. He did say that I can collect one when they’re open on Monday. I’ve done research online and there is so much conflicting advice as usual.
My question is to any health professionals out there - do I need a boot or have treatment methods moved on?
It was a clean, stable break and the Consultant discharged me the same night over the phone, no further appointments, no physio, nowt!
Any advice welcome!
Broke one and badly sprained the other falling down a small crag years ago. Probably just turned 40. Moving about was not easy and they wouldn't let me out of the Airedale until they'd seen me make it up and down a flight of stairs. Then as now I was an idiot, so was on the bike after four weeks (maybe less), mtb on the road, up and down hills for some exercise and to get out of the house. Better than crutches. Don't recommend, but preferable to beating my head against the wall.
(I also cut a cast off my wrist a week early (broken thumb) to join a Belgium road bike trip. And then gaffer taped it back on again when I realised there was zero strength in my wrist, and did the trip. I repeat this so you know how seriously to take my advice.)
Bumpity bump!
Any healthcare professionals out there that can help me with my above question about a support boot? I’m at present using my wife’s too small crutch to go from bedroom to bathroom!
IANAD, but Google pops this up.
Have used Oxford guidelines for aclr rehab, they're current best practice I believe.
This one sats to wear the boot all the time for walking around for four weeks.
@Jordan thank you for that it’s a very good information leaflet. I can’t understand why all the NHS advice isn’t the same! The leaflet I got in Derbyshire was very poor, never mentioned specific exercises at all.
I've a boot you can have bud of you need it from my broken leg a couple of years ago
@bikerevivesheffield that’s kind of you, I’m gatecrashing the fracture clinic at The Royal on Monday, if I’m not successful I’ll be in touch. One of our dogs has started walking on three legs now so it’s vets first!!!
Hows that Phenom?
IME mobility is key once the initial break has healed enough (6 weeks although to heal a bone properly can be much longer).
Do what the physio tells you and ensure you do all the exercises that are prescribed regularly.
You should be back pedalling a bike (not a mountain bike on gnarly trails) in about 4-6 weeks.
Take it easy, you don't want to exacerbate the damage.
@wheelsonfire1 Yeah I justfound that leaflet through google but those are much the same exercises that my physio told me to do at the time. Mine was a Weber B type fracture soI don't know if that would make a diference to the treatment/follow up. I was on the indoor bike complete with moonboot on for gentle pedalling within a few short weeks. Physio approved as she said the increased blood flow would help.
Thank you all for your help and advice. Lots of pain this morning so back to A & E Chesterfield. Everyone surprised I’d been sent home with just a leaflet. Now got a boot, had more X-rays and will get an appointment for the fracture clinic. There’s certainly nothing “National” about the NHS anymore.
Thanks again everyone.