I’ve read every website, blog, forum and comment regarding broken ankles. They’re all doom and gloom. They mostly talk about pain and limping for years and how you’re never be the same. My hubby tells me to stop reading them.
But I finally found a positive comment related to running:
Just thought I’d add a little positivity to hopefully encourage some of you who are a bit down if you’re reading this whilst injured! I broke my left ankle / leg in 3 places, with a section of my ankle completely broken away from the leg having to be screwed back in. This was in November 2010. I had ORIF surgery as many of you have had to have titanium screws / pins put in before being in cast for a couple of months. When I first started physio directly after having the cast removed I had not a cm of movement. Gradually after several sessions of physio the situation improved slowly, and then more quickly. I was told I didn’t need any more physio after 10 weeks as I’d surpassed what they could do. I’ve always been a runner and set my sights on completing a 10k in June 2011 (7 months after my surgery). I was given the go ahead to start light training at the end of April and gradually and carefully built it up, successfully completing the 10k in 52 minutes. The joint felt good (although I was still being very careful), and believe it or not, between June and November (from 7 months until 12 months post op) I managed to successfully complete a 5k, ten 10k’s and two half-marathons. How I could do this? Just by following what the doctors and physiotherapists said to the letter and being slow and patient with my own therapy. It’s still only 13 months since my surgery and I feel fantastic. I’m in my 30′s, so not that young, though not too old. If I can do it, there is no reason that all of you can’t do it too! Good luck all!!
It looks like this runner started training 5 months after ankle surgery. I only broke two bones (not 3) and did not have a cast. But I am older. So are we even??
Anyway, I am confident that I will run a race before the end of 2012 – a 5k, maybe a 10k and who knows maybe a half marathon!! There you have it. I am being positive!
Happy Running! Do you have doubts about what you can do? Or are you a positive person?
My First 5K and More... 