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I broke my tib/fib two Saturdays ago. Just had surgery yesterday and am non weight bearing for 6 weeks. Just wondering what all of my fellow leg breakers have done for recovery. Also I am still planning on going to MXDN on crutches so it should be a treat.
I like RC's approach when he sat out a whole Supercross series; he said something like, "This is a 4-month injury, so I'm going to let it be a 4-month injury." (Paraphrasing. I don't remember how long he was actually out.)
The Shop
Eat healthy, ice and elevate as much as possible. If you don't have a Physical Therapist already, get one! Go in for massages and whatever else they recommend at this early stage.
The plate\screws in my fibula were really bothering me after moto and mountain biking. I had them removed at 7 months. No issues after that.
Last thing, get off the painkillers ASAP.
Lastly whenever you break any large bone drink straight water to the point that you're pissing every hour or so... yes it's an inconvenience but it helps flush the fatty tissue before it clogs in your lungs. Compartment syndrome is a result, look it up you don't want it.
KB228 I'd still be drinking water like a fish. A friend's problem didn't set in till he was home a few days.
Best wishes for a complete recovery all...
Get a knee scooter ASAP as it will help you mentally to be off of the crutches and able to do things on your own. Lower your med dosage as much as you can stand, keep it elevated when not scooting and eat healthy.
Good Luck!
Going on 10 years later now, and no probs with that leg other than that foot goes numb at times, which was predicted by the doc. Apparently adding hardware to the ankle area constricts blood flow in an area where it is already poor.
That break was what got me to finally use a computrainer, which is game changing if you're into cycling.
Felt really, really good just to be able to do something
physical and low impact.
When it got along a little further, stationary bike on VERY light
load; just trying to get the range of motion back. Then the rubber
bands and all the usual things to get the strength back.
I'd do calf raises every chance i get and worked out those muscles any way i could. Definitely ensure you're 100% before getting back on the bike.. Its been 4 years since then and i can still fill it at times but i can feel a lot of my previous injures every morning at 35yrs old lol.
iWalk hands-free crutch was a godsend, I was able to be a lot closer to living a normal life. Just rest up, try to do what exercise you can to keep in shape and watch what you eat.
As others have said elevate, ice, physical therapy and get off the pain meds. I was walking on both at 8 weeks and back to whatever at 12 weeks.
Be aware, the rubber boot on the bottom of the crutch will blow out within 2 hours of crutching in the dirt.
Pit Row
Steve, are you the ex snocross Steve Martin?
So, my range of motion was way limited.
Started rehab 2 weeks after surgery, what worked best for me was lots of ice and cold therapy to control swelling while working on weight bearing and range of motion.
I used a scale to measure weight bearing, we had a non-heated pool I would dip my leg in and mimic swimming strokes, later I used a swim fin.
IMHO range of motion exercises should start asap with lots of icing, during rehab the doc would pack my leg in ice for 1/2 hr to 45 min, before working the leg and the same after.
Post a reply to: What did you guys do for Tib/ankle recovery?