Ankle question

[Climber Joe]

So the first week of October I took a weird fall climbing in the gym. I had a minor fracture, and a sub-taylor dislocation. I immediately popped it back into place.

Obviously there is soft tissue damage, and I have been going to PT. So here is my question...

the 24th is not only thanksgiving day, but also opening day at Big Sky, and my birthday as well... Should I skip it?

My Physical Therapist obviously thinks this is a bad idea, but aside from extreme range of motion, my ankle is what I would call "fine" and only gives me problems with walking down stairs (while not in my ankle boot). I have slight discomfort when doing fully weighted standing heel lifts, and forward flexion is limited and slightly painful. It will be 8 weeks out from injury on the 24th, so I am not worried about the fracture, but could I potentially do serious harm to ligament tissues by skiing very cautiously? I will not be dropping cliffs, skiing park, or racing.

thanks.

[lookinback]

I am not a doctor.


general rule

If you are having doubts and asking this question, you need to give it more time.

I wouldnt risk it, especially with ligaments in the ankle, best to let your muscles return to full strength to protect the stretched/damaged areas from the original injury. Your muscles have likely atrophied during the time you were injured/in the boot and are not strong enough to correctly support the ankle. Granted your foot will be in a ski boot and will not be at a high risk for an inversion/eversion sprain but is still at risk for reinjury.

[Climber Joe]

I think I can, and want to. I am just worried that I could mess something up permanently. I want to ski a half day or so, and then I won't be on snow again till December 9th.

[lookinback]

your answering your own question.... As i indicated before, your injury is not muscular...aka its not a time related injury. Skiing and tearing a loose unprotected ligament will be an whole new injury, the amount of time you take off after the new insult doesnt really matter. Aka, its not a ski a bit now then take alot of time off later type of incidence, more as take a bit of time off now let your supporting muscles hypertrophy and then go back full force.

But hey its your ankle and it seems like you have your mind made up. Listen to your PT, he/she has seen how much stability you have first hand.

[Climber Joe]

How would skiing potentially damage ligature though? I just don't see reason for concern.