thomspins

I fractured my ankle about 3 weeks ago, and am about to have my hard cast removed.

It wasn't really that bad of a fracture, and my Dr. says about 4 more weeks or so of really taking it easy.. I would think that I could start back riding before then though..?

Anyone gone through this before?

Inverted

Since biking is non-impact, I would say you SHOULD be fine, as long as it doesn't hurt, obviously. But I would really consult your doctor before you do anything. I don't know where the fracture is, or how bad.

Better safe than sorry with injuries like this, but if your doctor clears you, awsome!

sydney

Why would you take lame opinion from muppets and carpet smokers,rather than listening to your doctor?

hi565

Sydney once again takes the cake and rides away.

spindog

Listen to your doctor, he is the "repair" expert.

In my experience of being impatient (I learned the hard way) and chomping at the bit too early - 4 weeks beats 4 months, and if you interrupt the recovery period you could really set yourself back or end up with a chronic ankle problem.

I think that you should ask your doctor specifically when you can start cycling. Usually for something like that, they would have you start back with physical therapy which would probably include cycling - mine did.

Please be careful, I have a chronic ankle problem and can cycle like the dickens, but my ankle hurts like heck and swells like crazy, especially on a ride that covers very bumpy roads. My orthopedist had told me that I would experience mild to severe pain and swelling and that I could continue to cycle as long as I could handle the pain and that cycling would not cause further damage relative to my specific injury. I was told to ice it after each ride and warm up beforehand. So far, he has been right. A very honest, straightforward, tell it like it is, orthopedist.

crosscut

Thomas,
I know it's killing you! I would say listen to the Doctor. Once you get the cast removed, then pose the question as to.... how much, how fast, and when.

I will glady ride with you when you get ready, just give me a shout. Orr Rd. doesn't last much longer and we will start heading up to Huntersville Business Park for the hammerfests. We have some regular club rides coming up that maybe you could do.
Play it safe for now.

Cross

dfw

I broke my ankle many years ago. Now I have osteoarthritis in my ankle and it flares up now and again until I get on analgesics for a few days.

You definitely need to listen to your doctor and take his advice on when to start cycling. You also need to listen to your own body. If it hurts, then you need to stop. Pain is your body's way of telling you that you screwed up.

cyccommute 

I broke my ankle about 25 years ago and had hardware put in to keep it together (pin, plate, 2 screws). At that time I didn't ride bikes but started just about the time the cast came off as part of a weight loss program. The doctor encouraged it but had me wear a compression brace to keep the swelling down.

It still hurts and 3 years ago I developed a stress fracture at the plate (which was removed at that time) and was back on the bike in a matter of days after the cast came off. YMMV

Of course follow the advice of your doctor but also talk to him about what you plan on doing. Given that you are probably going to be road riding, he may be open to the idea of cycling. Ask him straight up what he means by taking it easy. Most doctors I've run across are not used to dealing with active people so their generic advice is usually geared towards less active people.

oboeguy

I had a pretty bad sprain from playing bball and was able to ride long before doing anything on the court. Of course this was with the doc's permission, so ask your doctor already!

Bontrager

Listen to your doctor. I'm a doctor and I've operated and casted many ankle fractures.