Surfing Waves

Hi All,

Posting on behalf of my boyfriend, who managed to get a little excited in yesterday's snow and has broken his ankle. It's actually the fibia that broke, and he had an op last night to insert a pin and screw. Been told to rest completely (non weightbear) for 3 weeks, and then realistically a good couple of months before he can start walking on it.

We're both keen surfers and windsurfers, so naturally his major concern is 1) whether it would affect him long term (the docs seem to think should not affect surfing, but might mean he can't wave sail / jump / do tricks windsurfing) and 2) when he might be able to start surfing (and windsurfing but not so relevant here!) again.

Obviously appreciate all of the caveats of take docs advice etc., but if anyone has had a similar injury and has info on how long it took them to get back out surfing, and any longer term effects / top tips, I'd be really grateful - hoping to cheer him up a little bit!!

Hello, too much fun in the snow then !!!

I have never broke my ankle, but i did rip all the tendons, ligaments and muscles playing football !
I ended up having a ankle rebuild, which took quite a while to heal !

As long as your boyfriend doesnt rush anything and does his physio, i dont think he will have a problem doing surfing etc !

These things do take their time to get fixed, just have to be patient and not to over do things !!

I had both my knee`s out of there sockets, riped all the ligaments and tendons. 10 years ago, have no problem surfing. I can`t do airs so don`t know about impact on water, don`t think i would like to try. I can`t run anymore i swim and do weights. Everyone go arrrrr.

thanks both, that's really reassuring. i think just a lot of rest and patience is needed!

and no it was even "that kind" of excitment sadly!

Snap! hee hee only messin I did exactly the same thing snaped my Tib (the little bone in the leg) right next to my ankel, i was none weight bearing for 2 mounths then the doc said no sport / jumping for another 2 mounts and no contact sports (thi boxing / surfing etc) for 4 mounths,

After 3 mounts couldnt take any more so i went back thi boxing just to Box, my instructor got me doing loads of streches and ankle movements to get the ankle working again and back to its full movement.

After 6 mounths it was toatly back to normal, every one said i would be sufering with it for a couple of years but i can honsetly say the streatching and geting back into sport sorted it

After a year and a half the only difrence is that it clicks every were i go but it doesnt cause no pain.

Tell him to stay strong and keep it moving as much as possible

"...but might mean he can't wave sail / jump / do tricks windsurfing"

Don't believe them! It's one of those, "Words from the wise discourage when things go wrong." Your beau may need to excercise his way into it and baby the ankle for a year, but he'll be OK. Been there with an arm.

Thanks guys, that's really helpful - nice to hear about someone who has come out the other side of exactly the same thing!! As you say, yes it's just a slow process, and then lots of care and physio.

I had a friend I was surfing with and he broke his ankle. Jumped off his board in shallow water and just snapped. Anyways, it took him probably 6 months to get back on the board I think and he took probably another 6 to get back 100%.

Good luck with it

Has anyone here had a broken ankle situation?

Should be fine. If properly healed the ankle should return to it's previous strength. Not to mention you also have additional support from the metal in there now as well. Just make sure your boyfriend recovers 100% with property lack of weight and then rehab before trying hardcore tricks again.

ive never broken anything, but my leg cramped up the other day, that was just awful.

hawaiiSUCKSexceptsurf wrote:ive never broken anything, but my leg cramped up the other day, that was just awful.

I've never gone though child birth or anything, but the load I dumped in the crapper the other day...............

i know how you feel.

dont rush the recovery period, you may regret it later in life, later in life does come around, i know, because im there. now, my sister is a top nurse, she says you will always have trouble with the ankle if you rush IT. much better to sit it out, do some other stuff, treat the time out as a positive thing, come back fighting, once recovered, then stay fit for longer. for every week you rest now, you may add months or years to your fitness longevity

Is there anyone else who could say how long they took after a broken ankle to recover to the level of surfing again?

In fact, the time for ankle recovery varies according to each person's physical condition and recovery ability. In any case, it will take at least 6 months to recover. During this period, pay special attention not to subject the ankle to a secondary injury, which will have a huge impact on the recovery process. After ankle support that does not require hard materials, it is best to use alternative ankle compression sleeves, which have ankle support and compression functions to reduce ankle pressure and prevent sprains.