Talus injury after 2 1/2 years

[brewsky]

Thanks for the info on the talus injury! I am just realizing how severe this injuy is.
I fractured my talus (along with 5 other bones in my foot) last april after getting my calf run over/crushed by a 600ish lb boulder in a logging accident. After a mis-diagnoses, and and eventual CT scan a month later, I was non-weight bearing for 7 weeks (no cast or surgery), then had a few weeks of rehab before attempting to return to work hiking mountains doing forestry work. I had follow-up x-rays where I was told all the fractures had healed, except they never got a shot of my talus (which I didn't know), so I continued to work in quite a bit of pain, particularly with eversion of my foot. I attempted to start jogging again, but any jarring impact was pretty painful. After 10 months, I had another CT scan confirming that the Talus was still fractured. I have continued to work in the short term, but know this is not sustainable over time. I have another orthopedic specialist appt in the hear future, to look at further options. Any recommendations for questions/information etc?

Has anyone on here had this injury years ago and know how this injury progresses? I have been told it will get worse with time, to the point where surgery/fusion will be required.

While I am frustrated by the mis-diagnoses/lack of information, I am trying to be positive about the future. Pre-injury I was a marathon runner, and now I can't run down the driveway without pain. (I do however feel fortunate after reading some of the previous posts). I am focusing on biking now, and trying to get into a competitive state. Work wise, I will likely be re-trained, I love my job and it will be hard to give up. I am lucky however that this occurred at work, and Workers Comp can get things pushed through quickly.

I would be interested in hearing from people who have suffered this injury, and an update on their status; does it get better or worse over time? The balance between being active and over-doing it, and the break-down over time?


Thanks!

[pagoodma]

Hello everyone! Thanks for sharing everything, its really been helpful. Ive been taking from this thread for a while and havent given anything back, I figured it was about time I shared my story with you all. Im 25, and from Boston.

March 18, 2012 I fell off of a 15 ft balcony, went straight down on my left leg, dislocating and splitting my talus in two while breaking my wrist (scaphoid) to pieces as well. ****. Turns out these are two bones that generally do not like to be broken. Honestly, I didnt realize how badly I'd messed myself up, I got to the hospital and asked if Id make it to work the next day, the nurses just laughed at me. I also thought I was going to make it to a festival in 3 weeks Id bought tickets for 12 months earlier. Haha, nope. Anyway, I had surgery on my talus the next day, 3 screws and a plate put in. I was in the hospital for about 5 days, couldnt move for shit. What they dont tell you is how badly it hurts to even put your leg DOWN at first, the swelling is just unbearable. Luckily my parents still loved me enough to let me move in and cramp their house for a while. The doctor told me I'd need at least 3 months off the ankle, and with a broken hand, my inability to use crutches meant being out of work for 2 full months. Again, ****. I did some ROM PT for the first few weeks with someone, then after that did it on my own (I had a "walking boot" that I couldnt walk in).

I still really didnt realize how badly I messed my foot up until I went to the doctor again 2 months in. He told me about the concern of AVN, potential talar dome collapse, and basically told me Id never be able to play fast moving sports again. That murdered me, I was utterly heartbroken for a few weeks.

Today, Im almost at the 4 month mark. Ive been walking with a cane for about 3 weeks (no boot for 2) and I feel pretty good with it. Im limping, and my muscles are pretty much non existant in my left leg, but Im feeling strong. I definitely have pain in my ankle almost all the time I use it, but its gone down significantly even in the three weeks since Ive been walking. Inactivity makes it feel more sore than anything so I try to keep it moving. With PT Im feeling stronger and better by the day, exercising my foot 4-7 days a week. Im trying to stay as positive as I can, and really have been not worrying about the sports bit for the meantime. I hope and plan on getting there eventually but the most important thing for me now is being able to walk without a cane at my brothers wedding this fall. That will happen . My last apt with my doc was very positive, he doesnt seem concerned about AVN at the moment which is obviously good, but it still terrifies me. There is some blood flow and cartilage coming back, which is also good. The bone isnt completely healed but its getting better, Im trying to eat right and get that positive nutritional intake going to help my progression. I definitely gained at least 10 lbs during this ordeal (probably more), which is just no good for anything. I've been messing with this book to keep me on track with my nutritional needs, its been really helpful, http://www.amazon.ca/The-Conscious-C.../dp/1615642196. I guess all I can say is take it day by day, nothing is happening overnight. Im still so far away but just being able to walk has raised my spirits so much.

The craziest thing is my wrist is still totally ****ed, 3.5 months after my hand surgery im still in a cast. I guess dont break your scaifoid. My doctor said hes never put two screws in that bone before, which is nuts. Its annoying but ill take it, because if I didnt put my hand back to break the fall, it would have been my head. Lets count our blessings.

Hang in there everyone, especially the teenagers!

[Greg S]

Thought I might add my experience to give people some hope. I shattered my talus and fractured a vertebra in a rock climbing fall in 2010, ending up with 3 screws in my left ankle. Recovery was very slow, with a few months of no weight bearing followed by PT and walking with a cane. I'm pretty sure I got rid of the cane around 9 months after my accident. Most mornings it's still stiff and I hobble a bit after getting out of bed, but I'm actually beginning to train for a half-marathon this fall - ran a little over 5 miles this morning.

The most important thing is to follow the advice of your surgen, and DO NOT put any weight on it until they say it is ok. After that, keep finding new ways to strengthen and stretch your ankle. Never stop doing this. I thought my ankle was doing alright, and then I started snowboarding. That inspired me to strengthen it more, focusing on toe rises. Then I got back into yoga, which constantly challenges the strength and flexibility of your ankles. I still suck at balance poses on my left side, but they are great at building all the little muscles that help with lateral stability.

Finally, I started trying to run again a couple months ago. Landing on my heel hurts like a bitch, so I've shortened my stride, started landing on my mid/forefoot, and switched to minimalist running shoes. I even play a little street hockey every now and then.

An injury like this isn't something you ever get over completely, but what you do can have a huge impact on how much it changes your life.