Is there ‘skate-life’ after serious leg/ankle injury?

Ripitup24/7 · 09-01-2009, 06:55 PM

I broke my leg in 3 places and dislocated my ankle during an awkward fall in a skate bowl a few weeks ago. The foot was facing out the wrong direction, real ugly. Surgery and the addition of stainless hardware to set it straight, I now have a 8 week wait before I can even start to put weight on it or rehab. Being a longtime pool skater and longboarder in my 40’s now, I’ve started to wonder how this injury will effect my riding in the months/years ahead. How complete will my recovery be? Will it effect my skating dramatically? Will I loose my nerve the next time I go to drop in?

I’m curious to hear if there are others who’ve gone through the same (or similar) experiences and how its effected your skating (if at all) The long road of recovery stretches out in front of me now, I’d love to hear from others who have already passed through this road.

Dancer · 09-01-2009, 06:56 PM

I know someone who has a leg cast from his ankle up to his hip and still skates.

killdozer · 09-01-2009, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ripitup24/7

I broke my leg in 3 places and dislocated my ankle during an awkward fall in a skate bowl a few weeks ago. The foot was facing out the wrong direction, real ugly. Surgery and the addition of stainless hardware to set it straight, I now have a 8 week wait before I can even start to put weight on it or rehab. Being a longtime pool skater and longboarder in my 40’s now, I’ve started to wonder how this injury will effect my riding in the months/years ahead. How complete will my recovery be? Will it effect my skating dramatically? Will I loose my nerve the next time I go to drop in?

I’m curious to hear if there are others who’ve gone through the same (or similar) experiences and how its effected your skating (if at all) The long road of recovery stretches out in front of me now, I’d love to hear from others who have already passed through this road.

I'm really sorry to hear about your misfortune. I have not gone through this with skating, however I had a torn Achilles tendon 4 years ago when I was in the military. It was an 8 month, painful recovery, but I did what the doc said and didn't force it and I can skate today with no problems. Good luck with your recovery, and I hope you are as good as new in no time. How about building boards while you recover since you can't ride?

Cann0n · 09-01-2009, 07:33 PM

I never broke any leg bones, only ankles. But, I have a permanent knee condition called Osgood Schlatters Disease. Doctor said he never seen a worst case than my right knee. I can't tuck for more than 20 seconds, and it hurts all the time. I can't do squats without using my hands to get up. If I was to fall on my knee, I'd literally be in some hellish pain.

Though, it's not as bad as many conditions, but I've struggled with it since I started skating, since that's what led to it. I used to be a certified firefighter until crawling on my knees made me decided not to peruse it. I thought I could tough that #### out but... I'm good. I like walking and skating.

pete.. · 09-01-2009, 07:47 PM

Ask your doctor

msk · 09-01-2009, 08:41 PM

I tore my left Achilles 4 years ago. Had to spend an entire summer in bed with my leg elevated in a cast, and then nearly a year of grueling PT just to learn to walk normally again (still have trouble walking down stairs). Up front I was told that because of my age (44 at the time) that I'd be extremely lucky to get 100% recovery, especially due to the expected atrophy while I was in the cast. 4 years later, I'm not 100% (my left calf is still a few inches smaller in circumference than my right), and there are limits to what I can do. But it still doesn't stop me from skating. Certain tricks are no longer possible, but I just focus on what I can still do, not what I can't...

killdozer · 09-01-2009, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msk

I tore my left Achilles 4 years ago. Had to spend an entire summer in bed with my leg elevated in a cast, and then nearly a year of grueling PT just to learn to walk normally again (still have trouble walking down stairs). Up front I was told that because of my age (44 at the time) that I'd be extremely lucky to get 100% recovery, especially due to the expected atrophy while I was in the cast. 4 years later, I'm not 100% (my left calf is still a few inches smaller in circumference than my right), and there are limits to what I can do. But it still doesn't stop me from skating. Certain tricks are no longer possible, but I just focus on what I can still do, not what I can't...

Hey mine was my left too. We're like Achilles brothers!

24 seven · 09-01-2009, 10:43 PM

45 and I ruptured my Achilles 2 years ago. It took a long time to heal. 8 weeks worth of hard casts and soft boots and 3 months of very aggressive P.T. 4 months after I was riding my road bike and 6 months after I was skiing. Getting back on skis was challenging. Took about 4 weeks to get my legs back. I also had significant atrophy in the leg that I injured that took a full year before both legs were symetrical again.

Typical recovery rate for a ruptured Achilles is 12 months. I think the thing that made my recovery so smooth and quick is that I hit the gym and the P.T. like I was training for a death match with Bruce Lee. It kind of sucked, took a lot of time, and was at times painful but the results were worth it. The other thing that made a difference is that from day one I made a bee line to the best Ortho Clinic in town - the one that works with all the local pro athletes.

I spent most of the following summer mountain biking. I didn't skate much that summer and when I did I kept it really mellow. Mostly Psychological. This summer I have skated a lot and its taken me most of the summer to get back up to speed.

You need to let your Doctor know that you want to continue to live a very active lifestyle after recovery, including skateboarding. If he gets all negative with you and doesn't offer you recovery solutions you need to get a second opinion. I never had to have this conversation with my Doctor. The week after my surgery we met and he laid it all out for me assuming that I wanted to get back on my skateboard, bike, skis, etc.

Thats my story. Good luck!

Forrel · 09-02-2009, 05:30 AM

I know a guy who broke his pelvis, had to hoist em out the pool with a crain, he was skating 1 month later and fell again and well,, you can guess the rest of the story...
Edit: forgot to add that he indeed could still skate even though it hurted, when you want to, you can do anything

So go abuse your legs thill you have to wheelchair to work!And its proven then you can still ride with your wheelchair!IT NEVER ENDS

Camel · 09-02-2009, 06:16 AM

After a broken shoulder and Achilles tendinitis, I was sketchy on doing anything more than a spirited cruise for a while. It has taken me 6 months to get the nerve back up to do some of the skating I was doing before the injuries. If you are physically able, you'll get back to where you were over time.

Like Pete said, ask your doc what the physical limitations are going to be.

drpepper · 09-02-2009, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cann0n

I never broke any leg bones, only ankles. But, I have a permanent knee condition called Osgood Schlatters Disease. Doctor said he never seen a worst case than my right knee. I can't tuck for more than 20 seconds, and it hurts all the time. I can't do squats without using my hands to get up. If I was to fall on my knee, I'd literally be in some hellish pain.

Though, it's not as bad as many conditions, but I've struggled with it since I started skating, since that's what led to it. I used to be a certified firefighter until crawling on my knees made me decided not to peruse it. I thought I could tough that #### out but... I'm good. I like walking and skating.

I've never heard of a permanent case of Osgood Schlatters. In fact i've never heard of anyone above the age of 25 ever having it.

I could be wrong but you should really look into that. Maybe it's something else

Ogre · 09-02-2009, 07:16 AM

I've had multiple serious trauma type injuries resulting in 3 joint rebuilds, 2 replacements and un countable other inflictions.. slowed me down, made me more aware.. but I still skate 30+ yrs later

Ripitup24/7 · 09-04-2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killdozer

I'm really sorry to hear about your misfortune. I have not gone through this with skating, however I had a torn Achilles tendon 4 years ago when I was in the military. It was an 8 month, painful recovery, but I did what the doc said and didn't force it and I can skate today with no problems. Good luck with your recovery, and I hope you are as good as new in no time. How about building boards while you recover since you can't ride?

Kildozer, thanks for the well wishes. I used to build/shape quite a few boards years ago-even had great reviews of those I sold to here on Silverfish. The power tools are a little sketchy with one leg!

So it looks as if I'll have time to clean and lube all the bearing in the quiver!

Back to the doctor in 10 days or so for the next cast. Will ask him more questions as per everyone's great advice. Thanks for everyone's encouraging words!

botofusup · 09-04-2009, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ripitup24/7

Kildozer, thanks for the well wishes. I used to build/shape quite a few boards years ago-even had great reviews of those I sold to here on Silverfish. The power tools are a little sketchy with one leg!

So it looks as if I'll have time to clean and lube all the bearing in the quiver!

Back to the doctor in 10 days or so for the next cast. Will ask him more questions as per everyone's great advice. Thanks for everyone's encouraging words!

I almost called you today but didn't want to rub in what a great session happened.
Anyway, the physical will heal and may slow you down a bit. However, even though my injury was not nearly as bad as yours, it's the psychological dramarama that can reallly can hang you up. The first time I tried a slide after messing up my ankle was pretty shaky but you slowly get passed it. Looking forward to skating with you again soon.
Turn it up:

YouTube - Dramarama - Anything Anything

Wells · 09-04-2009, 07:43 PM

Hell yes there is. Listen to your doctor, go to your physical therapy, and don't skate before they tell you to. Reinjury is a bitch.

Cann0n · 09-05-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drpepper

I've never heard of a permanent case of Osgood Schlatters. In fact i've never heard of anyone above the age of 25 ever having it.

I could be wrong but you should really look into that. Maybe it's something else

Nope. It's OSD. Some cases heal when you get older, but mine wont. I've met people in their 40s that had it. You can have it fixed, but I'm not a fan of surgery at all...

Here is a good answer to your question.
WikiAnswers - Does osgood-schlatters disease affect adults

Ripitup24/7 · 09-06-2009, 06:42 AM

Does anybody wear an ankle brace after their leg/ankle injury? Does it help when skating or is it just bothersome and constrictive?

Xgecko · 09-06-2009, 07:14 AM

Yeah there is I'm 42 and I broke my ankle last september (motorcycle accident), ended up with 6 screws and a plate that can forecast the weather. It took me until December to walk without a cane. What Wells said is very important, I rushed things a bit and felt foolish though luckily I didn't hurt anything when I attempted to snowboard last winter. I start riding a cruising board and doing some light Downhill in February and set foot back in the park end of March and have ramped up my skating since then. What turned out to be the best therapy for me was spending the summer commuting by bicycle. I wear ankle braces for Pool/Park though not for Cruising, Slalom or Downhill. I have completely altered my pool/park skating though Gone are airs of any kind for the moment, Instead lots of carving, grinds, various plants and back to (re) learning Inverts again

lmcmahon · 09-06-2009, 08:33 AM

Abso#######lutely!!!!

15 years ago I tore an ACL in each knee (separate times) and both resulted in reconstructive surgeries. After the appropriate amount of physical therapy I felt fine on my board. I took it slow at first and before I knew it, I was strong enough to ride without worrying about it or feeling pain. My mother said maybe I should take up rollerblading or something easier and I absolutely refused. Thank god because when I am out riding around and I see the rollerblading moms, I am so stoked that I am the mom on the longboard. Hopefully my two year old son will appreciate that some day. Best of luck for a quick recovery!

msk · 09-06-2009, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ripitup24/7

Does anybody wear an ankle brace after their leg/ankle injury? Does it help when skating or is it just bothersome and constrictive?

I do. It doesn't bother me at all, and if anything, gives me a bit more confidence because it gives me the stability that I don't have any more. At least in my case, it doesn't really affect flexibility because that ankle doesn't have any...