Broken Talus??

Fog 25
Posts
152
Joined
6/25/2016
Location
Castaic, CA US
Fantasy
1553rd
10/26/2016 3:50pm
Sad to hear your news on you ankle. I have a friend that had a ankle replacement in February. He said its the best thing on more pain and back at work by June. Good luck.
sroy41
Posts
8
Joined
10/24/2016
Location
CA
10/27/2016 6:04am
Fog 25 wrote:
Sad to hear your news on you ankle. I have a friend that had a ankle replacement in February. He said its the best thing on...
Sad to hear your news on you ankle. I have a friend that had a ankle replacement in February. He said its the best thing on more pain and back at work by June. Good luck.
If you dont mind me asking, how old is he and what kind of physical activities can he do?
Fog 25
Posts
152
Joined
6/25/2016
Location
Castaic, CA US
Fantasy
1553rd
10/31/2016 11:14am
Sorry it took some time to my friend. Here's what he text me back.
Dr Franson University foot and ankle institute Valencia I cannot speak more highly it change my life I will text you the phone number and address shortly but the recovery of a full ankle replacement was about 2 to 3 months I can walk decent one year I can walk with hardly any pain because I had atrophy for six years I'm looking at about 2 to 3 years to build all the muscles back but it's so worth it if he walks in pain every day like I did there's no other alternative. I walked in pain every day for six years now I have no pain whatsoever occasionally it's a little stiff but I can deal with that but I'm talking severe pain every single day for six years.
honda65
Posts
45
Joined
9/16/2014
Location
Post Falls, ID US
11/6/2016 2:21pm
sroy41 wrote:
Thanks guys appreciate the feedback. I visited my ortho surgeon yesterday and it wasnt the news i was hoping for, it appears that the bone is...
Thanks guys appreciate the feedback. I visited my ortho surgeon yesterday and it wasnt the news i was hoping for, it appears that the bone is in fact dying. nevertheless he said it may take up to a year to see if it will take up again or if it will in fact die. If this is the case he said a fusion would be needed. I wasnt too keen on getting this done as it is pretty serious but by what i hear people find it a pretty decent alternative. On the other note has anyone ever heard of the options offered by Stryker...Star ankle replacement etc...
Wow, bummer dude. I skimmed through all of the posts to see if the main complication from a broken Talus was addressed. I didn't see it but you just mentioned it; the foot dying.

When I broke mine in 1999 casing a double (didn't crash either) they of course took me to the local hospital. They also took another rider who had multiple breaks in his tib/fib, possibly even his femur, I can't remember. The time was approaching midnight and they said they had to choose the worst injury to go first due to doctor shortage and the other would have to wait till morning.

Needless to say I assumed I would be the one to wait. Nope. They said mine was more severe. Why? Due to the fact that there are blood vessels running through the Talus and that it could die if not treated soon. So they did and other than the occasional twinge of the screw, its been as normal as before.

So sorry to hear how yours has gone. I pray that changes for the better

The Shop

sroy41
Posts
8
Joined
10/24/2016
Location
CA
11/17/2016 9:42am
honda65 wrote:
Wow, bummer dude. I skimmed through all of the posts to see if the main complication from a broken Talus was addressed. I didn't see it...
Wow, bummer dude. I skimmed through all of the posts to see if the main complication from a broken Talus was addressed. I didn't see it but you just mentioned it; the foot dying.

When I broke mine in 1999 casing a double (didn't crash either) they of course took me to the local hospital. They also took another rider who had multiple breaks in his tib/fib, possibly even his femur, I can't remember. The time was approaching midnight and they said they had to choose the worst injury to go first due to doctor shortage and the other would have to wait till morning.

Needless to say I assumed I would be the one to wait. Nope. They said mine was more severe. Why? Due to the fact that there are blood vessels running through the Talus and that it could die if not treated soon. So they did and other than the occasional twinge of the screw, its been as normal as before.

So sorry to hear how yours has gone. I pray that changes for the better
Thanks man appreciate it... Really unfortunate for the fact that i only have 5 degrees difference in plantarflexion iwhen compared to my good ankle. My dorsi flexion ( upwards) is the same on both, My PT said im doing awesome, but we are still hoping praying that i dont get complete Avascular Necrosis.

Has anyone here ever heard of someone undergoing ankle arthrodesis (fusion) after having Avascular Necrosis ?

Thanks for the support !

4/15/2020 1:54am
Hey guys.

I'm starting this up again. Maybe it will also help other people reading here, like it did for me. I'm from Germany and broke my Talus in July 2019. It broke into some bigger parts, and the worst, on the joint surface, it smashed. The first surgery was just a week after the accident and I was not aware how bad this injury is. I just thought, okay, make the surgery, let it heal for six weeks, and be fine.

After the first surgery I felt so bad informed by the hospital and the doctors, that I decided to leave on my own risk. This was a friday. On monday I went to another doctor and he made a x-ray of my foot. He said the Talus was put together very bad, there was a phase in the joint surface. He sent me to an ankle expert and after another week I had the second surgery on the left foot.

The doctors told me about the risk of arthrosis and necrosis of the talus - but I was full of hope it wouldn't happen. So, to keep this short: At the moment it is not sure if I will lose the single little peace at the joint surface, it looks like it is necrotic, but in CT it also shows some "bridges", like its healing. Time will give the answer.

I'm experiencing progress every week. It are little steps, but there is progress. And as long as there's progress, I won't give up the hope that it will heal good, and not directly end up in arthrosis.

After the accident I sold my bike. I said I will never ride again, I was so fed up from being injured since I broke my wrist in January 2019.

Now I'm thinking about buying an Enduro, taking some easy rides in the forests below my house. Maybe one day I will return racing, but I think at the moment I fear too much injuring again. I also rode mountainbike several times and this worked fine. I'm also able to hike about 5 kilometers now, but after this, my foot hurts very bad.

I'm happy I found this thread, before I just "googled" in german language, but the results - exspecially Talus at Motocross were a mess.

Regards markus!
fullfloater
Posts
3228
Joined
7/22/2009
Location
CA US
Fantasy
13th
4/15/2020 2:31am
The talus is a tough one but I have to say that my recent shoulder and now hip are worse! I’ve worn an EVS ankle brace for 15 years but i did get back to riding in about 9 months (broke my talus in half btw and then had screws removed). I even started running again and my Tech 10s feel so good that I stopped wearing the ankle brace 3 years ago. Hang in there and don’t screw up your shoulders and hips like I did post-talus...
4/15/2020 3:12am
The talus is a tough one but I have to say that my recent shoulder and now hip are worse! I’ve worn an EVS ankle brace...
The talus is a tough one but I have to say that my recent shoulder and now hip are worse! I’ve worn an EVS ankle brace for 15 years but i did get back to riding in about 9 months (broke my talus in half btw and then had screws removed). I even started running again and my Tech 10s feel so good that I stopped wearing the ankle brace 3 years ago. Hang in there and don’t screw up your shoulders and hips like I did post-talus...
I can agree to this, since I saw my father smashing his hip. He's limping for three years now, even with a new hip joint... That's just terrible to see him this "screwed". Neither PT nor Osteopathic is helping him...

How do you deal with objections from people, when it comes to getting back to ride?

My family and my girlfriend are like "oh my god you want to ride again, after erverything we have gone through with you??". I feel terrible about this. But I feel it, I can't live without a bike.....
fullfloater
Posts
3228
Joined
7/22/2009
Location
CA US
Fantasy
13th
4/15/2020 12:25pm
markus_71 wrote:
I can agree to this, since I saw my father smashing his hip. He's limping for three years now, even with a new hip joint... That's...
I can agree to this, since I saw my father smashing his hip. He's limping for three years now, even with a new hip joint... That's just terrible to see him this "screwed". Neither PT nor Osteopathic is helping him...

How do you deal with objections from people, when it comes to getting back to ride?

My family and my girlfriend are like "oh my god you want to ride again, after erverything we have gone through with you??". I feel terrible about this. But I feel it, I can't live without a bike.....
How do you deal with objections from people, when it comes to getting back to ride?


#1 Don't complain when you're hurt -- try to say nothing if you can

#2 Tell them you'll be safe this time

That's all you can do really. Good luck on the bike.
sroy41
Posts
8
Joined
10/24/2016
Location
CA
4/15/2020 1:15pm
Well ill update as well. The injury still has me stunned. I feel it in the morning and then im alright for the rest of the day. I occasionally wear an arizona brace when i work 12h shifts but have also done them without (7days straight).

I have resumed some cautious track riding. I wear the same tech7 boots i had when i injured myself in 2016.

Best thing for best results, no caffein, no alcohol, turmeric, calcium/vitD supplements, ive been on some natural chinese supplements and some bovine collagen. I had changed my diet and exercised alot without the use of my ankle.
I was non weight bearing for 7.5 mths and i did not rush.

Stay focused stay positive and put the odds on your side with some of the tips i mentionned above. Itll be 4 years this july and i feel as it has gotten better. My surgeon had also written me off, but i made a point to tell his nurse that i would prove him wrong. Use that as motivation !

Keep us posted ! In the meantime i opened my own powersports shop. I encourage you guys to have a look on facebook and insta. @techfortyone (Tech41)

Cheers guys !
Seb
1
sroy41
Posts
8
Joined
10/24/2016
Location
CA
4/15/2020 3:21pm
Oh yeah 6 months in, mine hurt like hell as well. Dont get me wrong. Mine was shattered in multiple small pieces. Lets just say the doc told me "this is a jigsaw puzzle with which i have absolutely no instructions" and "all other physicians i have consulted looked at the imagine and cringed".

Does it help when the ankle is elevated ? Are you walking on it?
SteezGeez
Posts
200
Joined
12/11/2016
Location
Fullerton, CA US
Fantasy
553rd
4/15/2020 3:23pm
I am just over 3 years from breaking both my Talus same time when I overshot a jump. It's taken all this time to really be in a good spot. Just ran a 5k this morning for fun. Slight pain in the right Talus after but I will get over it. Planning on running daily 5k's while the gym is closed.
1
sroy41
Posts
8
Joined
10/24/2016
Location
CA
4/15/2020 3:26pm
SteezGeez wrote:
I am just over 3 years from breaking both my Talus same time when I overshot a jump. It's taken all this time to really be...
I am just over 3 years from breaking both my Talus same time when I overshot a jump. It's taken all this time to really be in a good spot. Just ran a 5k this morning for fun. Slight pain in the right Talus after but I will get over it. Planning on running daily 5k's while the gym is closed.
Wicked! Good job. How is your your ankle mobility/flexion?
SteezGeez
Posts
200
Joined
12/11/2016
Location
Fullerton, CA US
Fantasy
553rd
4/15/2020 3:37pm Edited Date/Time 4/15/2020 3:38pm
SteezGeez wrote:
I am just over 3 years from breaking both my Talus same time when I overshot a jump. It's taken all this time to really be...
I am just over 3 years from breaking both my Talus same time when I overshot a jump. It's taken all this time to really be in a good spot. Just ran a 5k this morning for fun. Slight pain in the right Talus after but I will get over it. Planning on running daily 5k's while the gym is closed.
sroy41 wrote:
Wicked! Good job. How is your your ankle mobility/flexion?
Mobility is almost perfect in the right foot. My circles I do with my left foot are a little wanky but no big deal. I have almost all the mobility I ever had because they never put me in a hard cast.

Every year though things have gotten better. Originally the doctor told me that I would make a full recovery in 6-8 months. Bullshit, this bone is far from the heart (Less bloodflow) and I was happy just to be walking semi normal 6-8 months later. Took me about 1.5 years to start doing any kind of running (A lot of mtb in the meantime). Honestly even 6 months ago my condition wasn't as good as it is now. I have gotten these steroid shots starting in year 2. The ortho said she was fine giving me the shots but no sooner than 6 weeks apart. It's been a great fix and to the doctors surprise I keep on spacing out my shots farther and farther from each other. It's been about 6 months from my last shots and it's getting to the point where I don't think I will need them anymore. The ortho was surprised saying people normally go the other way of wanting them more but not me. I liked how they kind of let me get back to normal activity sooner to the point where now recovery is still getting better and they won't be necessary.
Ozy
Posts
2023
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
US
4/15/2020 3:51pm Edited Date/Time 4/15/2020 3:52pm
mxj621 wrote:
Hey guys was wondering if anyone ever had this injury? I broke my Talus, and cross broke my Tib and Fib. The doctors are really concerned...
Hey guys was wondering if anyone ever had this injury? I broke my Talus, and cross broke my Tib and Fib. The doctors are really concerned that I may have to have it fused because the way it broke and twisted. Just seeing if anyone has had an injury like this and if you can still ride? I will be off work for 9-14 months. Any feedback would be great.

Thanks!
I wouldn't wish this injury on an enemy. Ouch!!!

did you mess up the calcaneus also? I would get a few more opinions before I fused the ankle. The problem is there is not much blood supply down there and Necrosis sets it too easily. If you're young it still takes a long time to heal. if you're older it takes a few years to stop hurting.
4/15/2020 11:41pm
I already said goodbye to the idea that my foot will ever be the same than it was before.

But I'm sure it will get better with time - like it does at the moment. I can go work for 8 hours as a mechanic in a sawmill, without bigger problems. Thats just my part-time job, I fulltime work as a software developer. Thats good for me, because when sitting in the office or at home, my ankle gets the time to rest it needs.

I tried jogging this weekend, just a few meters, never thought this would be possible. It looks a bit messy, but it works. I'm not planning to do bigger runs in the future, as I think this is not good for the ankle. It's just for myself to see whats possible.

I have a big problem in range of motion dorsal-flexion... Any tips? I think I'm getting an Enduro now, an EXC. I feel like soft riding in the woods could loose my ankle a bit and will be good for me - like MTB, which helps me.
JWW85
Posts
55
Joined
9/15/2019
Location
Hernando, MS US
4/16/2020 6:05am
Shattered my left talus in '06 at a local fair race and have had issues ever since; can't run, jump on it, walk with a limp, and if I stick it wrong in a corner I'm done for a few days. Like one poster said, later consults with specialists told me it was put back together poorly. The dome has collapsed and lack of blood flow, so every recommended course of action now is a fusion. I just turned 35 and hate the idea of being out of commission for X months again with it because I'm very active (workout everyday and chase my 4 year old).

Researched alternatives like the ExoSym, dynamic afo, and stem cell options. Has anyone else had any success with either?

4/16/2020 11:01pm
SteezGeez wrote:
I am just over 3 years from breaking both my Talus same time when I overshot a jump. It's taken all this time to really be...
I am just over 3 years from breaking both my Talus same time when I overshot a jump. It's taken all this time to really be in a good spot. Just ran a 5k this morning for fun. Slight pain in the right Talus after but I will get over it. Planning on running daily 5k's while the gym is closed.
sroy41 wrote:
Wicked! Good job. How is your your ankle mobility/flexion?
SteezGeez wrote:
Mobility is almost perfect in the right foot. My circles I do with my left foot are a little wanky but no big deal. I have...
Mobility is almost perfect in the right foot. My circles I do with my left foot are a little wanky but no big deal. I have almost all the mobility I ever had because they never put me in a hard cast.

Every year though things have gotten better. Originally the doctor told me that I would make a full recovery in 6-8 months. Bullshit, this bone is far from the heart (Less bloodflow) and I was happy just to be walking semi normal 6-8 months later. Took me about 1.5 years to start doing any kind of running (A lot of mtb in the meantime). Honestly even 6 months ago my condition wasn't as good as it is now. I have gotten these steroid shots starting in year 2. The ortho said she was fine giving me the shots but no sooner than 6 weeks apart. It's been a great fix and to the doctors surprise I keep on spacing out my shots farther and farther from each other. It's been about 6 months from my last shots and it's getting to the point where I don't think I will need them anymore. The ortho was surprised saying people normally go the other way of wanting them more but not me. I liked how they kind of let me get back to normal activity sooner to the point where now recovery is still getting better and they won't be necessary.
Actually the lack of blood vessels are from our evolution. the talus being a bone that is not a usual bone to break till fighter pilots started breaking it. I read it online.
4/17/2020 12:15am
JWW85 wrote:
Shattered my left talus in '06 at a local fair race and have had issues ever since; can't run, jump on it, walk with a limp...
Shattered my left talus in '06 at a local fair race and have had issues ever since; can't run, jump on it, walk with a limp, and if I stick it wrong in a corner I'm done for a few days. Like one poster said, later consults with specialists told me it was put back together poorly. The dome has collapsed and lack of blood flow, so every recommended course of action now is a fusion. I just turned 35 and hate the idea of being out of commission for X months again with it because I'm very active (workout everyday and chase my 4 year old).

Researched alternatives like the ExoSym, dynamic afo, and stem cell options. Has anyone else had any success with either?

The ExoSym sounds very promising. Where to buy it? Is there an ability to buy it when not living in the US?
I think before letting my ankle fusion I would give it a try.
mxj621
Posts
76
Joined
1/21/2014
Location
Youngstown, OH US
Fantasy
390th
4/17/2020 4:13am
mxj621 wrote:
Hey guys was wondering if anyone ever had this injury? I broke my Talus, and cross broke my Tib and Fib. The doctors are really concerned...
Hey guys was wondering if anyone ever had this injury? I broke my Talus, and cross broke my Tib and Fib. The doctors are really concerned that I may have to have it fused because the way it broke and twisted. Just seeing if anyone has had an injury like this and if you can still ride? I will be off work for 9-14 months. Any feedback would be great.

Thanks!
Ozy wrote:
I wouldn't wish this injury on an enemy. Ouch!!! did you mess up the calcaneus also? I would get a few more opinions before I fused...
I wouldn't wish this injury on an enemy. Ouch!!!

did you mess up the calcaneus also? I would get a few more opinions before I fused the ankle. The problem is there is not much blood supply down there and Necrosis sets it too easily. If you're young it still takes a long time to heal. if you're older it takes a few years to stop hurting.
It's been a few years but I did a lot more damage than I thought. I completely shattered my talus, blew apart the talus joint, broke my tib and fib, dislocated my ankle and cracked the calcaneus.


Not to freak anyone out that has broken their talus, my injury was very odd and extremely complex. So with that being said, I went through about 6-7 surgeries. After they saw it wasn't healing after 12-15 months they said let's fuse it. They fused it, I was walking, I went back to work, but it was terrible. The way they fused it (not sure how many different ways they do it) I literally only had toe movement. Nothing side to side and nothing up and down. So after about 3 months of that I said F*** this and I was on the hunt. I went through about 10 doctors and different states until I found my guy. I went ahead and had my foot amputated at 26 by personal choice!! It was the best choice for my decision I could of ever made. I'm back riding, I run, I do whatever I want. So I hope like hell no one has to ever make that decision, but if it gets to that point im here to talk to anyone about it.
4/17/2020 4:28am
mxj621 wrote:
It's been a few years but I did a lot more damage than I thought. I completely shattered my talus, blew apart the talus joint, broke...
It's been a few years but I did a lot more damage than I thought. I completely shattered my talus, blew apart the talus joint, broke my tib and fib, dislocated my ankle and cracked the calcaneus.


Not to freak anyone out that has broken their talus, my injury was very odd and extremely complex. So with that being said, I went through about 6-7 surgeries. After they saw it wasn't healing after 12-15 months they said let's fuse it. They fused it, I was walking, I went back to work, but it was terrible. The way they fused it (not sure how many different ways they do it) I literally only had toe movement. Nothing side to side and nothing up and down. So after about 3 months of that I said F*** this and I was on the hunt. I went through about 10 doctors and different states until I found my guy. I went ahead and had my foot amputated at 26 by personal choice!! It was the best choice for my decision I could of ever made. I'm back riding, I run, I do whatever I want. So I hope like hell no one has to ever make that decision, but if it gets to that point im here to talk to anyone about it.
Dude huge respect to you! I already had seen that on Youtube by a man who had a car accident and decided to do the same thing - amputated the foot. He said the same as you did, it was the best descision of his life. He can do sports, went back to being a police officer, and so on...
sroy41
Posts
8
Joined
10/24/2016
Location
CA
4/17/2020 5:52am
I have the Arizona AFO and it allows me to do whatever i can so long as it fits in foot wear. I have researched and looked in to stem cell clinics but i am not quite at that point as, fingers crossed, i can go about my business on a daily. I rode back country all winter on my sled and just needed snowboard boots.
Hats off to you @mxj621 for that courage. Its something i think we want to avoid at all costs, however im glad to see crazy positive results. There is also a girl in Australia/NZ that has done it after the same injury. She now has her personal training gig going on @titanium_trainer on IG. Super nice person.
lwoods193
Posts
10
Joined
5/6/2019
Location
Murrieta, CA US
Fantasy
46th
4/17/2020 10:32am
I broke my talus in both ankles 9 weeks ago. No surgery, just non weight bearing for 1 more week. I’m curious if those of you who have experienced this injury before recommend any of the EVS braces for once they started riding again. My ankles feel really good but I’m nervous about how they’re going to feel once I get back on the bike. I wear Tech 10 boots so I’m not sure if I’m going to get some braces or not, just hoping for some feedback.
4/17/2020 7:16pm
I broke my left Talus last September overshooting a jump. It was a taller neck fracture and required surgery. ER docs missed it and thought I had a bad sprain. They were discharging me when the Ortho team came down to demand they do a CT scan on me. They found the broken and displaced Talus. I had surgery 1 week later with 7 screws and a plate installed. I was warned about the slow healing time and possibility of AVN. I did everything I could to eat healthy and my wife got me access to cold laser therapy. There is evidence that it helps with AVN and increases bone healing through increasing blood flow. After 8 weeks the DR. could not locate the brake on X-ray and I was allowed to walk. Defiantly a different injury from any others I've had. I've been walking for the last 5 months and still have some pain. Mainly muscular from what I can tell. I have no signs of AVN. It's still sore in the morning and after heavy use but through PT and stretching I've regained 100% active range of motion. Passive range of motion is still restricted some but Dr. said that could take a year for all swelling to go away so there is some chance I regain more of that. I will say this injury was easy to get discouraged with. I had days I felt perfect all day and then I couldn't walk for a week. I just now seem to be seeing real progress. I've finally got back on a bike and it felt pretty good. Still a little weak in the calf but improving everyday. I wouldn't wish this injury on anyone. Joints are a tricky thing and this one seems to be extra tricky.

Post a reply to: Broken Talus??

The Latest