Persistent ankle problems

[Climber Joe]

So back in September I dislocated (subtalor) my ankle (had to pop my foot back in place, icky). I also had a small fracture in the tibial head.

After several months of physical therapy, I started skiing again. There was still some slight pain and soreness, but I was just teaching, so not really risking re-injury.

Recovery was going great, but in January it hit a wall. When I lean my lower leg forward, there is pain underneath the tibia, only in the front, only during forward flexion, and only when my knee is at, or past my toes. As this directly interferes with stretching and skiing, it is causing problems. For a while, it wasn't bad, and I just didn't push it, but last weekend I tweaked it badly, and could barely walk after taking off my boots. Then tweaked it again just walking normally. It now hurts all the time, and my forward range of motion is worse.

There is no swelling, and since it was not a problem earlier in the healing process, I am pretty sure its a scar tissue problem, but a knowledgeable friend mentioned a possibility of torn cartilage or a neuroma.

So if it is a simple ortho fix, and I can get the surgery done quickly, how quick is the recovery for something like this? Will I ski anymore this season?

[tone capone]

Congratulations, fuck your life too, huh. We should have a S.W. Montana gimp party soon.

[Climber Joe]

Yeah, its kinda messing with my livelihood right now... Not too happy with the season... Missed the bouldering comp season too...