Anyone ride with an old ankle injury?

[Equine Adhesive]

The adductor thread got me thinking. Don't bash me for not seeking medical attention; I am NOT seeking it here, just wondering if other people have a similar injury, and if so, how it affects and is effected by, their riding.

2+ years ago, I was jogging, tripped on my ankle, and sprained it. At first, it wasn't apparent if it was really sprained (it just snapped a bit when I fell but then I was "sound"), so I kept on jogging, brilliant person that I am. Then, after I got home, the ankle blew up and all that. Being in the horse business, of course I did not have health insurance, so I never went to the doctor to get a final analysis (but I did get free physical therapy from a licensed friend). That summer, I was not able to jump any horses, but I was OK to ride (albeit not strongly), and I was very "unsound" (I would say a 3 out of 5 at the trot, hehe). Then, I would reinjure the ankle doing things like, I jumped off the mounting block onto a horse who would not stand still-- and the leaping action made me scream (I did not realize it would, obviously), or when I tried to jump, the leaping action of the horse would hurt the ankle. So I stopped those things, and by Fall, sold some horses and took a break.

I've done the wobbleboard exercises and have massaged the ankle, but had hoped that as time went on, things would heal, as they normally do in my experience (sprained wrist had computer-related issues for 3-4 yrs post injury but is now 100%). I also had wrapped the ankle up for a while, too, and had it adjusted. I have not gone back to jogging. Sometimes I "feel" the ankle has pain, or a resistance to being messed with, if that makes sense. It is not as strong in the saddle. Jumping sometimes makes it sore-- doing a horse trial earlier this year was hard on it. But it bounces back quickly to its 90-95% status quo. On bad days, it feels 85%. I feel like a racehorse with a career-ending injury, in that I am always aware of how the stupid thing is feeling. It literally feels like there is a hole in my ligament (there probably is). For the record, this summer and for the next few months, I am not riding much.

My chiro friend said I need to do more rehab on it. Did those of you with ligament injuries in the ankle area have to do a lot of rehab, and how was jumping/competing for you?

Thanks!

[jeano]

The thing about a sprained ankle is that, unlike a broken bone, which is actually stronger when it heals, it never really gets back to 100%. It will always be prone to re-spraining, and, when you are old and decrepit like I am, you might be able to predict the weather with it.

When I was in my teens, twenties and thirties I sprained both ankles a number of times. Nowadays, in my fifties, I dont think either ankle really is sprainable any more, because the ligaments are so stretched and scarred--sort of like the waistband on old underwear. The ankles arent very flexible, but if I turn one (which I can do on any surface wearing any footgear) it just sort of rolls over, hurts and swells a little, and life goes on.


If you ride Western, stirrup turners are your friend, if English, flexible stirrups probably would help. I am but a lowly trail rider and have given up on having my feet point the same direction. Sometimes just finding and regaining a stirrup when I've dropped it can be a major challenge.

There are some standing yoga postures that might be helpful for stretching and strengthening--any of the Triangle or Warrior poses.

[appychik]

In January 2007 I had a fairly serious accident with my youngster. As we were attempting to do my first "riding astride" vs laying over his back, he freaked and I got my leg caught up in the reins (don't ask me how that one happened). I ended up being dragged for about 20m before my boot thankfully came off (thank GOD). I ended up with a HORRIBLE sprain, the worst I've ever had. I should have just broken my ankle, it would have been less pain.

Anyways, it's been a h*ll of a couple years dealing with that injury. It's left me with some permanent nerve damage on my left side of my body (the side that was caught and dragged) along with a catarct in my left eye due to the head tramua I substained. Still got Gringo and he's never been broke. Found out months later, after many vet visits that he has an old fracture of the coffin bone that won't heal. Along with many other things, he just can't be trusted, so he's currently a pasture ornament.

I did rehab and have had to repeat it many times. Usually one a year for about 4-5 visits (equilivant of a month or thereabouts) and I'm good to go for a while. I get regular chiro work and that keeps my low back in alignment (that was really screwed up too post fall).

I do have bad posture/position now with my left side of my body. My hand is much weaker and my left leg is too. I've got to work hard to keep things in check, when it's not usually such an issue with others. But, I'm back to riding and competing (when I want to... I've "retired" from the ring for the time being). And I no longer jump... but haven't in years. The accident has left some things messed up forever, but I can still get on and ride. And THANK GOD for helmets!

Curious, do you have insurance now? If so, I'd look for a referral to a physical therapist. The one who *literally* change my life around was not your typical PT. She was different, but I forget the type of PT she did... something with cranial/sacrial stuff and whatnot. Anyways, would definitely recommend a good PT person... they really do wonders.

Good luck!

ETA: Yeah... I'd never win an EQ class with the way my leg/foot points now.

[Trakehner]

Broke a leg/ankle/foot when I was 22, haven't been able to do much besides a walk and maybe a gimpy sort of trot since. Comes in handy when the vet asks to "trot your horse out" and I have to hand them off to a helpful person....kinda' sucks every other way.

I can ride OK, jump and do x-country years later...but, there are times when I just have to get off and walk 100 yards, then I'm OK.

But, as the doctor said when I woke up from surgery, "We didn't know if we could save your foot"....ACK!!!! After I woke from fainting I was OK. Long time healing...but it gave me an attitude of..."No matter what, I still have my foot, I have no complaints."

Personally, I'd rather my ankle hurts than all the people at the barn with shot knees and hips...and I can still get on the big guys from the ground.

Packers (laced up cowboy boots) are your friends, they can really help support your ankle.

[gloriginger]

about 10 years ago I went airborn off my front porch when I stepped onto ice covered steps and landed on my left ankle- I don't knw how it didn't break- but it swelled up. It has never been the same. Now - when I am on it too much, or on hard ground etc. it swells. It is always puffy. It twists at the littlest thing and hurts for a few days. Bracs help in the short term, but I think might do more harm than good. It pops when I twist it.

I do ride with it, I think I have learned to compensate for it. Perhaps if you vet wrapped it when you rode it would feel more stable? I was just talking to someone yestarday about my ankle, sh hd a similar experience and when she finally did get xrays it revealed that she had pulled a tendon and a chunk of bone off the ankle. Might be worth having it x-rayed- I know I am going to...

[sk_pacer]

Tore up an ankle when I was quite young in the bad old days when doctors deemed such injuries as minor and felt that girls with injuries didn't need treated anyway. Was told by said doc that if I did more ladylike things, I wouldnt have hurt myself - was being pushed to figureskating lessons at that time and that was supposed to be a ladylike pasttime for little girls. That said, ankle never did heal right, I never got more ladylike and rode hundreds of miles chasing cows, breaking horses and drove racehorses thousands of miles. It never bothered me riding but sure bothered to go faster than a slow jog and I never skated much since as it would buckle under the stress. Still does buckle if I walk over really rough ground and at times it is so bad I fall off shoes that aren't proper boots/shoes with a steel shank to help keep the sole of the shoe from twisting when the ankle gives way.

[Coreene]

Had a bad one two years ago. A few weeks ago at the chiro, he adjusted the ankle itself. Dunno exactly what he did, but two swift whatevers and it made a HUGE difference - maybe it unstuck some scar tissue? As for riding, the Sprenger Bow Balance irons are worth every penny of the $200 cost.

[Gloria]

I sprained my ankle more than 20 years ago and since then it has been very weak. I could be walking along a perfectly paved road fine and hit a little bittie dip on the drainage grate, and there I went down. Posting trot was painful and two points were excruciatingly painful.

I found what worked very well for me is first ride with heavy duty brace every time. The first thing you want to do is to prevent more injury because every time you go down, you further damage it. Then you need to strengthen it gradually and consistently. I found Yoga to be extremely helpful. After practicing Yoga for a year, I no longer hurt riding even without the brace. Last year I had my first fox hunting season. After 3 hours of hard riding on rough terrain, my ankle held up really well. It was sore and stiff but no pain :D, and that was riding without the brace as well.

[twofatponies]

Boy this is a cheerful thread. I badly sprained my ankle in a ski accident last March - so a year and a half ago. I happened to be skiing with my doctor... so that was convenient! Did not get it xrayed, but did very careful rehab, and got back into work very slowly, but it still bothers me a little. I can jog, though sometimes I'll get a spasm in one of the ligaments and have to walk for a while. I can ride vigorously, but sometimes later in the day or the next morning it feels tight and twingey. Walking downhill sometimes hurts a bit. And certain oppressive weather conditions make it achy. Lovely to know it'll still be bad twenty years from now (I'm 42).

:D

[Gloria]

Yeah too bad huh? It was probably my fault though. 20 years ago I was young and stupid. Doc warned me to stay put and let my ankle rest. Well it was during summer break and I had all kinds of exciting activities planned. So foolhearty and so darn optimistic (who listen to doc anyway?) that I convinced myself "it will get better with use" :winkgrin: I dragged my swollen ankle all over with my friends and climbed all the boulders at the coastlines (and twisted a few more times). By the time my excursions were over, well, I was paying the price..

[Equine Adhesive]

Thanks guys for all the responses.

OMG Appy that sounds so painful. SK your post made me laugh (not about your injury but about the "ladylike" part - way to add pain to your pain, argh!).

I did used to wrap it to ride, or I wore a brace. I'm not anymore, I do tighten my boots a lot, but I can't get my chaps to fit or my tall boots to fit over a wrap. It took me 1 whole year to be able to ride normally, but now I find things are still not normal. I guess we should start a "Bad Ankle Clique"? I can see it now: a cartoon mascot of an ankle with an eyepatch and a machete, looking so bad you definitely don't want to mess with him!

[thatmoody]

10 years ago was riding a young horse while working cows out on the river. Horse slipped in the mud and went WHUMP on her side, landing on my foot, which was perpendicular to her with my toes bent under her. In short, I crushed my foot and ankle in the worst possible way. When they took me to the hospital I was told I'd never walk normally again. Well, I kinda do - I do have a limp, but I manage pretty well. Can't run anymore (and yes, I hand off the horses for trotting to someone else!) but riding isn't bad. English is now easier than Western, and I love ergonomic stirrups, but after a couple of hours in the saddle someone else usually has to put away the 2nd horse (that's why I had kids, after all).

Yoga helps, and I love the elliptical trainer at the gym - that's MUCH easier on my joints than running. I still do my PT after all these years - calf raises and alphabet stretches (do the alphabet with your toes) to keep things loose and strong. I take a long-acting anti-inflammatory (Diclofenac XR) to help with the inflammation, along with Prilosec to help with the stomach problems. Be patient with the healing - it took years for me to walk again (about 2) but I was riding again within a couple of months. Couldn't put my foot in the stirrup, and had to be helped onto the horse, but I could ride ok with one foot hanging, as long as I didn't ride the younger horses...

[Hampton Bay]

I've never sprained mine per say, but I ran cross country for 4 years. I tend to have weak ankles and wrists anyway, and I always toed out quite a bit when i ran.

12 years after I quit running, I still have issues with it, as well as my knees and my hip. The ankle and knees get stuck sometimes, where I have to move them a lot and pop them. If I ride in a jumping saddle the ankle gets really sore after about 30 minutes. Since I ride dressage primarily, its not as much of an issue. The knee doesn't bother me riding, but it occasionally makes stairs difficult. The hip though... Sometimes its fine, but a couple months ago it started acting up again. Now its so sore I have trouble sleeping. I cannot lay on that side at all because it hurts so much. Sitting hurts, bending hurts, and cantering to the right... Sometimes I simply cannot bend myself that direction. Its time to go back to the chiro.

Soft tissue injuries are a b****!!

[Mayaty02]

well I am now 40 and I swear my multiple ankle sprains have truly caught up to me. I have sprained both ankles several times, and have essentially torn and stretched out all the ligaments in my ankles. This last injury about 18 months ago has really done me in. I am in constant pain, however riding doesn't bother me :) I do use flexible irons and find that's the only thing I can use. No advice sorry except maybe try PT again....and ice it when it hurts.

[Hey Mickey]

Oh great. you guys have made me depressed...
I too sprained an ankle (worst pain I've ever been in, and I have high pain tolerance) I never saw a docter, iced it, wrapped it, And hoped it would get better on its own.
Now I have lost all hope

So, I sprained my ankle during XC day at the rolex this past april. We were trucking through the crowds, walking fast, and I stepped into a dip, HARD. My ankle popped 3 times. Hurt really bad, and I continued to walk for the rest of the day. When we sat down for dinner, it ballooned up and I could hardly walk to the car. I took my shoe off on the 2 hr car ride home, and it swelled up even more.
It was forever until I could walk normally, and now it randomly give outs, and randomly hurts when I ride. especially when I gallop and jump.

So now I have no hope that it will ever be completely better.

[Equine Adhesive]

Hey Mickey, you're like me! Ahhhhhh!

Today I hopped on a horse for 15 mins in someone else's saddle. Their stirrups felt WAY better than mine, but I forgot to ask her what they were (I will ask her next time I see her). I noticed some people are suggesting certain stirrups. Can you expand on that (if you also have advice on stirrups?)

[Coreene]

Herm Sprenger Bow Balance stirrups. Fabulous - when I ride in my hunter saddle instead of dressage, I swap 'em over. Can't ride without! I had to order new stirrups for my western saddle for the same reason, because the ones it came with hurt too much.

[citydog]

About six or seven years ago I had a horrible sprain (every doc I saw afterwards told me I'd have been better off if I'd actually broken it), and one of the PTs told me it would never be completely OK again.

I'm happy to report that I'm back at 100% :yes: and have actually had to look for the lump below my ankle bone a couple of times to remember which ankle it was. I credit having to do *lots* of walking over lumpy, frozen New England fields (way more intense than wobbleboards) and having a sports massage therapist friend who showed me how and when to do massage to break up the scar tissue.

I started using the Sprenger flexi stirrups back then because they did help, and have switched to and stayed with the MDC Ultimates (bendy and with the offset eye).

Good luck--it can be done!

[rainechyldes]

Hmm, about 11 years ago, I broke my leg in 11 places. (including the ankle)
Cast up to my thigh for a full year almost, - then major physio.
I still dont' have full flexion, and it can be wobbly at times when I'm tired. But I forced myself to go back to running (which was very tough at first) and that seems to keep it more stable. I reall notice it when I get lazy in the winter and stop running for a bit.


I don't have trouble riding, it's the dismounting part that's ungraceful, I generally dismount and have to hold myself up by grabbing onto horse mane for the first few secondsbefore I can get that ankle/leg under me properly.

[thatmoody]

I don't know what kind of ergonomic stirrups I have - my trainer has all this weird stuff, and she just handed them to me and said "here, use these." They are offset, and I think they are similar to the bow balance ones (probably generic!).

I had knee surgery two years ago (from limping - knee blew out on the opposite side) and I have to say it was a piece of cake compared to the ankle. They can do stuff to your knee; ankle, not so much. They have a few bionic ankle parts but not many - it's too complex a joint...

[camohn]

I have a matched set of TWO bad ankles! I am actually better in the saddle than on my feet. I have the Sprenger offset eye stirrups and they are great. Off the horse on uneven ground I wear velcro wrap ankle supports. It has been years/my ankles will never recover fully. Once torn ligaments simply do not heal. Strenghtening the surrounding muscles is not a waste/it does help make up for *some* of the lost stability from a torn ligament, but sorry, it will never be 100 %.

[Gandolph58]

15 years ago (dam..getting old) I was drug a short distance by my left foot when it got stuck in a stirrup at a horse show. My ankle bone was flat against the stirrup pad and the bottom of my foot was against the inside branch of the stirrup. I tried the ignore the pain /use it rout and just kept going.

Finally days later when I could not walk, ride, or move without it hurting I went and got it looked at. Doc shook his head and told me I would have been better off if I had broke it. I did a lot of PT and that helped a LOT. I still do some of the exercises to this day. Keeping it strong helps, but It will never be 100%. I have a long PT rubber band thing that is my best friend. The stronger I keep my ankle and lower leg the better off I am and the more I can do with it. I still hack, jump and ride as much as I can. Sometimes when I get off after a 2 hour hack the first 3 or 4 steps are hell, but it gets better.

3 weeks ago I got dumped my green baby miles from home (chased by a dog) and was able to remount from the ground without it respraining. I was thrilled!!

Not having insurance really sucks. Could you can get to PT one time and have them give you some exercises to strengthen your ankle? Or would you need a referral from a Dr.? It’s been a long time and I can’t remember how that all works.
Good luck

[thatmoody]

Actually most of the PT exercises are pretty easy to do on your own. IIRC they had me doing balance exercises on a wobble ball and mini trampoline, calf raises on a step, and alphabets with my toe, plus some general strengthening stuff. I have a friend who is a physical therapist so if I need a tuneup I ask him to help me, and he does, so you probably COULD do one session and then continue on your own as Gandolph suggests.

One thing I would caution you about, though with an old injury is your talus bone. Your talus bone (which is located inside your ankle assembly) has very little blood supply, is easy to damage during a sprain situation, and it can necrotize fairly easily years later. I have mine MRI'd about once every 5-7 years, just to check. So far, so good, but I do have a friend who had to have extensive surgery because of this.

[Gloria]

Um another thing is, "stay away from high heels"...

[thatmoody]

Oooh yeah. Forgot about that one. Sexy went out the door in 1999.