Broken foot, ligament damage. Recovery time?

[turn_one]

Took a climbing fall in Red Rocks in early Nov., foot caught an edge and my heel twisted out. On the 2 mile hobble out I tripped and took another fall on the injured right foot. ER doc got it wrong diagnosing the injury as a sprain but my foot and bone specialist determined that my calcaneous bone (heel) wrenched up slamming into my talus bone (outside) breaking a piece off of the talus. This piece then broke into 8 small pieces which had to be surgically removed.

 

I've been on crutches since and can put only a moderate amount of weight on my foot (with pain). I have had x-rays and CT scan only, no MRI because the doc says 'yes, there's likely some ligament damage as well' and the healing instructions for my bone injury and subsequent surgery would be the same as for a sprain. The pain however feels more directed towards my achilles area and inside ankle.

 

For those who can relate or may have experience in this area, do you think it would be wise to have an MRI to determine ligament or tendon damage or is there nothing one can do to correct these issues over rest, ice, etc.? I'm not sure how to classify my sprain but assuming a class 2, would 8-10 weeks recovery time be sufficient. Should one try walking early despite the pain in the ligaments to increase blood flow in the area?

 

I have a month long surf trip planned at the end of February that I would hate to miss because I didn't pay attention to the proper signs and over did it.

 

Thanks for any input.

[matt_warfield]

I did better than that, breaking both major bones just above the ankle. I have Frankenstein scars from the surgery and have a titanium plate on one side and screws on the other side.

 

What I expeienced is that after 3 months on crutches and 3 months of limping, the ankle is suprisingly strong but has lost some flexibility. Your situation should be lesser.

 

Just beware that foot/ankle joint injuries are unique and don't jump the gun. Stay away from putting too much weight on it.

 

Stick with the water and not chasing women around on the beach.

 

Where are you going? Hawaii, Costa Rica? Please share. Inquiring minds want to know.

 

 

Edited December 22, 2012 by matt_warfield

[turn_one]

Your injury sounds burly in comparison. Was it the talus an fib/tib?

 

My flexibility is less than 50% of what it used to be, hoping that will be better in time. Talking about 3 months of being down seems relatively easy, once recovered...when in the middle of recovery it seems endless. I've been down for 5-ish weeks and I swear it feels more like 5 months.

 

I will (hopefully) be headed to Costa Rica, Guanacaste, Nicoya Peninsula...then possibly places further south.

 

Thanks for the reply.

[matt_warfield]

It was tib/fib, no heel so a bit different.

 

A lot of climbers have gone through injuries that take recovery time. Be patient, which is not always the best suit of climbers, but it will pay dividends versus fast return exacerbating the injury and prolonging recovery.

 

And your itinerary will make everybody on this PNW site envious. Take pictures and post a TR.

 

I hope it involves speedos and bikinis, sharks and tropical fish, surfboards and bodyboards and such other than treading on your heel before healing. Again pics would be great.

Edited December 22, 2012 by matt_warfield

[glassgowkiss]

These fractures usually get fused. Slamming Talus like that will cause the subtallar joint to go arthritic. It's just a matter of time.

[turn_one]

I've read a few of your replies on similar issues here and it seems you know what your talking about...which concerns me because my doc didn't recommend fusing, but did say my foot could become arthritic.

 

What's your take on recovery time? Are there any specific exercises concerning the subtalar joint you (or others) could recommend? I've read that fusing will be a minimum of 12 weeks w/o weighting; that's nothing I'm in the mood for with my current state and surf plans.

 

Presently my plan has consisted of 'ABC's' and testing moderate weighting of the foot in hopes of increasing blood flow...no meds.

 

Thanks for your input.

[glassgowkiss]

The problem is the blood supply to the back of the heel area- which is minimal. Second, when you have Calcaneus slamming into Talus, nobody can really tell you how much the surfaces covered with cartilage suffered. Judging by your description- a lot. You know I have worked in rehab for the past 14 years and it still makes me lough, when people say: "Oh, I don't have time for this". I would advise not to do any weight bearing exercises till the pain is completely gone. You can probably do some swimming and stationary bike. However I would recommend making plans to deal with arthritic changes as soon as possible. Subtalar fusion works like a charm, when done right.

I think you should focus on maybe adding some high doses of glucosamine. As far as recovery time you are looking at 6-12 months.

[turn_one]

Just wanted to add a bit to this post for anyone who may have similar injuries.

 

I'm now 5 months into this and I can walk unassisted with a mild limp on even ground. My hopes of climbing this spring(or this summer) were a bit optimistic as the thought of wedging my foot into a crack, or worse, toeing on a slab seem a distant possibility. Pain still occurs on the inside and outside ligaments and my achilles is tight. The interior pain comes from what I guess to be bone to bone contact between the fib/tib to talus. The swelling exists but has subsided obviously and there still remains a bit of bruising.

 

The MRI, according to the doctor revealed nothing out of the ordinary. 2 months of PT seemed beneficial but then again I expected to be better at the conclusion of my time there. Glassgowkiss I think is right with his recovery time estimates of up to 12 months.

 

Anything anyone wishes to contribute I'll welcome.

 

Thanks.

Edited April 10, 2013 by turn_one