I swim several times a week and the one day I decide to walk I manage to wipe out and break all three bones in my ankle.After surgery to put in plates&screws I'm now heading into week three of doing nothing.I've been told I'm looking at at least 8-10 weeks of some type of cast or boot,and who knows how much PT after that.Ironicaly I broke my other ankle when I was much younger and swimming was the only excersize I felt comfortable with.However,I now have much higher expectation from swimming then I did when I was 5-and I want to get back to what I was able to do before this accident.
Where do I start once I'm cleared for excersize?Do I try to do this on my own or find a specialist who works with athletes?I need to know that I will be able to rebound from this,and what to expect-but right now I'm just completely discouraged!:toohurt:
I broke my ankle in three places as well, right around the same time I started swimming with Masters. I was out of the water for the month that I had the hard cast on, and then had a soft cast for another month. I think I got back in the water about two weeks after I was allowed to get the stitches wet. I might have gone earlier, but it was my right ankle, so I wasn't allowed to drive, and didn't know anyone who could give me a ride to practice.
I'm not going to lie: your time out of the water is going to suck. And when you get back, it's going to take some time. Make friends with your pull buoy. (I attribute my strong *** stroke pull to those weeks of only pulling.)
Also, do the PT, whenever you can. You may actually pick up some tips that improve your ankle flexibility over time. If you do have the pins removed, make sure you keep up with the PT after that. (This is a regret of mine.) There are so many doctors out there that are great with athletes, if you don't like the one you have, find a new one! Hope you're feeling better, and back in the water soon.
Even though I was totally out of shape, and couldn't kick at all, I remember how great that first swim back felt. After not being able to walk for weeks, swimming felt like flying. I'm also sure it helped with the healing process, being able to move my foot without putting weight on it. Hope you're feeling better soon!
I broke my ankle in three places as well, right around the same time I started swimming with Masters. I was out of the water for the month that I had the hard cast on, and then had a soft cast for another month. I think I got back in the water about two weeks after I was allowed to get the stitches wet. I might have gone earlier, but it was my right ankle, so I wasn't allowed to drive, and didn't know anyone who could give me a ride to practice.
I'm not going to lie: your time out of the water is going to suck. And when you get back, it's going to take some time. Make friends with your pull buoy. (I attribute my strong *** stroke pull to those weeks of only pulling.)
Also, do the PT, whenever you can. You may actually pick up some tips that improve your ankle flexibility over time. If you do have the pins removed, make sure you keep up with the PT after that. (This is a regret of mine.) There are so many doctors out there that are great with athletes, if you don't like the one you have, find a new one! Hope you're feeling better, and back in the water soon.
Even though I was totally out of shape, and couldn't kick at all, I remember how great that first swim back felt. After not being able to walk for weeks, swimming felt like flying. I'm also sure it helped with the healing process, being able to move my foot without putting weight on it. Hope you're feeling better soon!
