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:
Ask your doctor how soon you can start swimming. I broke my ankle, admittedly a simply break with no surgery or setting, and he let me start swimming 2 or 3 weeks after I broke it (I was in a boot). But absolutely no weight bearing on land with out the boot (made it real fun getting in and out of the pool-you'll want to check out the access real carefully) and push off with the other foot. He told me I could walk in the water because it supports most of your weight. The reality was it was still another two or three weeks before I could actually kick with that foot (the pull buoy is your friend) but my kick did come back.
YMMV, you obviously have a much more severe break than I had. I also know some doctors are much more hung up about total immobility and fiberglass casts. The first doctor I saw put me in a cast and planned to keep my foot in one for about 6 weeks. I canned him because he was a first class a--hole. The second doctor said we can put you in a boot and I got brave and asked, "Can I swim?" and he replied "Sure". Try to convince the doctor what great therapy the swimming will be.
And my sympathies to you. This has to suck.
Jan
Ask your doctor how soon you can start swimming. I broke my ankle, admittedly a simply break with no surgery or setting, and he let me start swimming 2 or 3 weeks after I broke it (I was in a boot). But absolutely no weight bearing on land with out the boot (made it real fun getting in and out of the pool-you'll want to check out the access real carefully) and push off with the other foot. He told me I could walk in the water because it supports most of your weight. The reality was it was still another two or three weeks before I could actually kick with that foot (the pull buoy is your friend) but my kick did come back.
YMMV, you obviously have a much more severe break than I had. I also know some doctors are much more hung up about total immobility and fiberglass casts. The first doctor I saw put me in a cast and planned to keep my foot in one for about 6 weeks. I canned him because he was a first class a--hole. The second doctor said we can put you in a boot and I got brave and asked, "Can I swim?" and he replied "Sure". Try to convince the doctor what great therapy the swimming will be.
And my sympathies to you. This has to suck.
Jan
