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Offline rm250guy

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ORIF Ankle Surgery Recovery
« on: May 19, 2011, 06:11:00 AM »
Hi Guys, my trusty steed threw me off last week when my Maxxis IT broke away quickly in the soft stuff through a fast right hand sandy corner (I knew should have never swapped out the Dunlop 952...).  My ankle got caught between the track and the bike going down low side and I broke the fibula near the ankle.  I had to have Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF) surgery to put it back together with a plate and 6 screws.  Yeah, I could have sourced these parts from my own workshop...

My question... doc sez that I need 6 weeks in a cast, then 6 weeks PT, then no sport for another 3 months!!!  That is a total of 6 months off!!!  Has anyone been through this and how long did it take to get back up and riding again???

Thanks for your comments

Offline MXLord327

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Re: ORIF Ankle Surgery Recovery
« Reply #1 on: May 19, 2011, 06:57:36 AM »
Not sure about the plate & screw method, but when I did a compound tib/fib (just like Ryan Villopoto last year in SX), I had a rod put in from my knee to my ankle.  I was on crutches for 3 months, no sports for 6 months.  That was 26 years ago, I would hope things would have changed by now though....

Offline SachsGS

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Re: ORIF Ankle Surgery Recovery
« Reply #2 on: May 19, 2011, 07:21:49 AM »
Years ago I destroyed my right ankle and it took 6+ years of intense therapy before I could get back on a motorcycle (and actually trophy!).The specialists said I would always walk with a bad limp,arthritis etc. but I was able to pretty much overcome all of this.

My friends and myself have always been hardcore,suffered a lot of injuries and,for the most part,have always come back.One thing we have learned is to always follow the Doctor's recommendations to a "T".If something goes wrong during the healing process you'll be out for a lot longer then 6 months,been there and witnessed it.One friend came back from severe injuries to win the over 50 expert class in oldtimer motorcross last year.

I always try to turn a negative into a positive.If you are like me there is always something you have been neglecting and the next 6 months would be a perfect time to get it done.  ;D

Offline TMKIWI

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Re: ORIF Ankle Surgery Recovery
« Reply #3 on: May 19, 2011, 01:12:26 PM »
Bummer mate.
If you don't fall off you are not going hard enough

Offline JE97

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Re: ORIF Ankle Surgery Recovery
« Reply #4 on: May 19, 2011, 01:40:53 PM »
Rough buddy.. At the beginning of 09 my Dad did a tib/fib/ankle combo, 4 breaks in total, and he was off until spring of 2010.. It is a sad reality, but it will take a really long time. And the more you wish you could hop on the steed and just grip er' and rip er', the longer it will feel like.. But as it was stated above, there are most likely plenty of things you could be doing.. Who knows.. Work on the bike?

Offline ACMX

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Re: ORIF Ankle Surgery Recovery
« Reply #5 on: May 19, 2011, 03:57:40 PM »
Haha. I just wait till it feels better and ride. Nothing wrong yet
ACMXProductions.weebly.com <-- Check it out! Now!

'Forgive me lord for I have sinned. I hit a fourth gear jump in fifth gear pinned'

The Sweet Sound of a Yz125 Two Stroke
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSO3Po7uvJo

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Offline chump6784

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Re: ORIF Ankle Surgery Recovery
« Reply #6 on: May 19, 2011, 06:37:12 PM »
i tend to find that doctors exaggerate recovery times. i go with the "when it feels good, ride" method.

this method isnt always the best, i rode too soon after breaking my collarbone and getting a bad concussion, crashed, landed on my head and cant remember the next 12 hours. that forced me off the bike for a while as the doctor said another good whack to the head and it could do some serious damage

Offline TMKIWI

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Re: ORIF Ankle Surgery Recovery
« Reply #7 on: May 19, 2011, 09:23:33 PM »
  the doctor said another good whack to the head and it could do some serious damage

You wouldn't want that. You might start talking like a Canadian. ;)
If you don't fall off you are not going hard enough

Offline rm250guy

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Re: ORIF Ankle Surgery Recovery
« Reply #8 on: May 20, 2011, 01:18:14 AM »
Thanks for the comments guys,  I guess the writing is pretty much on the wall that it will be about 6 months...

I have been riding and racing for over 36 years (yep I'm 51... and plan to ride at least as long as Feets Minert if I can) and I have certainly had my fair share of broken bones, sprains and bruises but nothing like this one.  6 months off is going to turn my stamina into complete crap....  Does anyone know of any decent websites that can recommend a good training program to keep the rest on my body in some form of decent shape in the meantime?

Project?  I guess I can get out my toothbrush and clean the bikes back to the showroom look for the next 6 months!  I have two 08 RM 250's...

Offline SachsGS

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Re: ORIF Ankle Surgery Recovery
« Reply #9 on: May 20, 2011, 06:28:56 AM »
People who receive a severe whack to the head sometimes develop a British accent - this is true and quite well documented!When the Anglo Saxon invaders swarmed into the British Isles I guess the locals clubbed enough of them in the head that the english language was created. ;D

When I shattered my ankle it didn't heal properly and I walked with a pronounced limp.I couldn't ride because if I banged my ankle it would swell up like a football and I literally had seconds to get my boot off.I made the best of a bad thing and went back to school.

I was working at one summer job and was asked to participate in a charity run.When I explained my situation,my boss said crawl if you have to but try to help out.Now prior to my injury I was a long distance runner and could run just about anyone into the ground.Well during the event the old competitive spirit kicked in and I started to pull away from the pack.It hurt like crazy and I felt something break in my foot.After the run I was in agony for about 2 weeks and then the pain went away.I couldn't believe it but my limp was gone!

One guy competing in the German vintage enduro series is 85 years old so I think we all have a few years left.Besides,we can get guys like Ford to manage the gas checks as we get older. ;) ;)
« Last Edit: May 20, 2011, 06:36:20 AM by SachsGS »

Offline ACMX

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Re: ORIF Ankle Surgery Recovery
« Reply #10 on: May 20, 2011, 09:41:35 AM »
That must be scary, knowing you only have seconds to get your boots off before the pain sets in
ACMXProductions.weebly.com <-- Check it out! Now!

'Forgive me lord for I have sinned. I hit a fourth gear jump in fifth gear pinned'

The Sweet Sound of a Yz125 Two Stroke
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSO3Po7uvJo

'If it takes more than two strokes, then you're just playing with