Talus fracture and partial displacement, healing advice and support

nullHi everyone, I wrote 4 months ago in here and shared about my type IV talus fracture. I'm now one year and 1 month after the accident and this is exactly how things are:- Lots of stiffness and pain while waking up but feels better after 5 mins of movement.- Can walk everywhere without issues unless it's too steep in which case it becomes painful. More than 20 mins and it starts to hurt. Can run as well but cannot comment more as all my efforts are on the bike and don't ever run. 
- I'm back on my bmx bike and the range of movement in the joint has improved although it's only about 80% upward movement of full range. Maybe 85% when warmed up. 70% downward movement and for side movements.
- Can squat at the gym but still tricky when looking for a full squat as the range limitation is a problem and puts everything out of shape. However with some weight on it seems good enough to force the joint into a normal movement (although could be very painful without warm up) 
- The whole joint looks constantly as if it had a bit of swelling but I guess it's just the new face of the ankle and will never go back to normal.
- My one leg balance is still far from normal and sometimes it hurts a lot when trying to balance on the injured leg. The pain is mainly felt on the soft tissue surrounding the scar which is the area with more pain overall.
- My broken nerves are 80% back as I recovered sensitivity of the sole of my foot but still cant feel the bottom of my toes and can't move them all with good range like with my other foot and that affects balance massively.

Overall I think its heading in the right direction but it's a VERY slow process. Keep working on it guys! Hope this helps. (image as per last x-ray in Feb 18)
B.

Photo from Nov 28, 2014 after 30 meter lost rappel at Valahula, a day that started my new adventure. I was 49. Compound talar neck, type IV as drs have reminded me over the years as I looked for answers, it was a very traumatic injury. Total AVN worry appears to have subsided, by MRI and hardware does not mix so it is what it is.

I was an avid runner, climbing was something I picked up in mid forties to prepare for more technical mountaineering, which was to be in my 50’s. But, life had a different plan.

“Recovery” is relative.  Much of who I was is still the same, most of what I can do or how I do it now has changed.  For me, the endless desire to beat the odds keeps me with more up days than down days. My Faith is a huge part, but we are only human. For me, coming alongside the daily discomfort has brought peace since fighting it doesn’t really help. Also, movement (of any form) IS life. I don’t run, YET. I climbed my Whitney (#14), ride and take walks with my wife. The best is always ahead. Stay positive and embrace the journey. Your “recovery” is an inspiration.

Hi guys,

I got a hawkins type 3 fracture from doing a long distance jump from a sprint and just landing funny, I had it manipulated that night and then had the surgery 3 days later. I've got 7 screws in my talus, that are quite different to the ones I normally see. I normally see the two long screws going right the way through the talus. I will get pictures of them as soon as I can.

Everything I enjoy requires the use of my foot, gymnastics, acrobatics, calisthenics, bits of parkour, motorbike riding, hiking etc. I'm also self-employed with no sick pay and no longer have a job as it required me to be on my feet all day.

I was wondering what activities and things you guys did to be productive during your recovery? And also if there were any types of jobs I could do at home to earn an income? I was looking into Forex trading and just doing general research but i'm struggling and really want to put my energy into something useful as i'm finding it very hard mentally atm,

Many thanks,
Sean

Hi everyone, I am super glad I stumbled on your posts. I had a talus fracture back on February 22th. September 4th marked my 6month of recovery and it's been really hard on me these past few months. Unlike most of you I didn't break my ankle doing one of the out door things I love (volleyball, running, paintball, climbing, or mild parkour).    I hit some black ice with my car early that morning on my way to work, slid off the road and crashed into a tree smashing the driver side tire into the cab into my foot breaking my talus bone. After an ambulance ride it was misdiagnosed as a spraine until I had my one week check up when they said it was actually broken (this royally ticked me off). I had surgery March 6th and was out of work for a month. I was taking a year off of college after I got my associates to get some funds to help pay for my bachelor's degree and be debt free. I was blessed to be working as a school para for my local elementary's special needs class, and the kids kept wanting to play with my crutches. I found my self just a week after visiting the university I was going to and squared away all my finances, without a car and not having the money to back to school. My car insurance covered most of the medical costs but I had to take out a federal loan to help pay for school.    I've always been a hyperactive individual (diagnosed ADHD) always been a climber (trees, free climbing,  BSA high adventure/climbing staff), and runner (went to state in cross country an track in high school, and done some 5k's and a 10k since with my church running group). Being grounded since March and only getting to walk without churches since mid June has been torture. I had to cancel my missioun trip to Seattle with my college group, I couldn't work at my Adventure Base summer job with my bestfriend Mika (me and several others take local children with mental health rock climbing, repelling, and hicking with their case managers), I missed my Oklahoma D-Day week long paint event with the 1st ID, and was confined to the truck most of the time on a once in a life time one month driving trip from Kansas to Alaska and back (7 days in Canada) with my Grandpa, Granduncle, and older brother. I'm done venting now.
   I'm now back at college now and it's been rough. I've been very busy with class and focusing on the negatives lately. My podiatrist recently told me about him having a talus fracture similar to mine and that he can do a lot but not running or basketball. The idea that I won't be able to run or climb again has been plaugeing my mind. All of your comments have lifted my spirits and givin me hope. 
   I can walk without a brace now but not much else (no running, climbing) except riding my bike (wich hurts less than walking some times). Stairs still stuck being on the second dorm floor.  I'm making progress as well. I'm able to carry all my heavy nerd books and can work out in the gym with friends with out too much pain. I have a definite limp (people ask me if I hurt my self all the time) and it swells and hurts if I do too much. It's rained a lot here and it aches everytime. I'm still on recovery road but definitely better than I have in past months.    When I was picking colleges other than a good Biology degree they had to have three things; a decent salad bar, a local sushi place, and an indoor rock wall. Guess what, I had sushi two weeks ago, I eat all the salad I want, and two days ago they had a midnight glow climb and I'm super jealous.
Thanks everyone for sharing its greatly helped me.- Josh :)

Amanda C wrote:

Update : i wrote in here 2 months ago and now 6mo into recovery. Still having major problems with flexing my foot past 90 degree so I still can’t run or squat.  It’s like something is blocking it bc i can’t even force it past that. Still have a pretty good limp. My ankle to me doesn’t feel straight and I have brought it up to my dr and he’s stumped bc on X-ray “technically” everything looks aligned. When i walk my ankle rolls out. I feel like if that weren’t the case I’d be walking with less of a limp. Walking barefoot is worse and that’s a bummer bc with summer coming I usually am in flip flops non stop and we go to the shore a lot and uneven surfaces still bother me.  I’m just so frustrated. 

Pics of my my flexion and straight on (looks crooked to me)

Hey guys my names Allan Im from Australia, I  don’t climb, but before 26th of jan this year I used to surf non stop and have my whole life I’m 37 have 3 little boys that all surf and well I broke my talus on my right ankle in jan, I went in for the op a week later they removed the broken peice as it was to weak to pin or screw.
In a boot and rest for 4 weeks then told to weight bare as much as possible and start recovery... f@$k well I took their advice and being so active I was excited about the whole wieght Bare thing so I did but 9 months later I can still barely walk
I did the rehab and stretched non stop iced, heated braced taped u name it.
I have 2 days where I’m optimistic and it’s feels good, I run my own business in construction and it takes a heavy toll on my body so after 9 months
I’ve had 2nd lot of scans they tell me I got like a post traumatic arthritis.

I broke the talus bone in my right foot about 7 years ago from a highball bouldering fall. I went about it the completely wrong way, not having health insurance at the time, i was reluctant to go back to the doctors after my intitial casting. Thankfully it was a clean break and did not require surgery (very rare for a talus bone break) but did not follow the doctors instructions very well during my healing process. I also opted out of PT because I thought climbing was all the PT i needed. During this healing process after my cast was removed was interesting.. Climbing felt great while climbing, but walking, standing, etc was very painful for a good period of time. My foot would regularly swell after hiking and going up hill was very painful. It seems my calf would lock up and my foot would stay in the calf extended position for the whole hike up a hill.. 7 years after my break I still deal with some slight range of motion issues but nothing that stops me anymore..

In hindsight though I WISH I would have done the PT. My foot unfortunately did not heal completely straight and still sometimes swells after really big hikes or humping big loads up hills. I also deal with some lower back issues from my foot healing somewhat crooked and feel it after super big days of being on my feet all day.

Totally an injury you can overcome, just rest up good and let the thing heal proper! Youll be back crushing in no time. I would say though to expect walking/running/hiking pain for several years, depending how well your PT goes im assuming it wont take as long to be back to normal. The atrophy in my leg after the cast was taken off was also a trip.. took a bit of time to regain strength and to even out with my other leg. And take my advice not to hop around too much on your good leg. I was doing this non stop because I thought id be able to manage without the use of crutches (all the time)... I develped shin splints in my good leg :/! Climbing will always be there, heal up right first!!

I was that fool in the gym trying to TR with a cast on... so stupid haha..  Good luck and heal up quick!!

I obliterated my ankle in a fall years ago - limited range of movement but you adapt. I have a very large floating bone fragment with a large bone spur that prevents some range. You never get over it but you adapt. One thing I wish I had done - take the screws out early ie 1 year.
Best recommendation- buy walking or hiking poles. Without them I can walk 1 big day and then pain flares tremendously. With poles sharing the weight I can walk multi days with a heavy pack. These days I will use the walking pole even for short access distances. Whatever weight you take off the ankle reduces pain and long term wear while not over stressing the compensating knee.

JohnnyG wrote:

I broke my talus in 1999. This mornning, I skied 20k on my skate skis, and I didn't think twice about my ankle.  First the bad news: it hurts most mornings; it took a decade before I wanted to run again. Now the good news: I didn't get surgery right away, so I probably screwed it up when I hiked a bunch before it healed--and you will likely fare better than I did. It is still getting better. I went on to climb way better than I did in in '99. It got me interested in other things that became my career.

Good luck healing!!! You got this! it's just going to take a while.

Hi,

I too severely broke my talus in a motorcycle accident 2006, bone exposed like yours and shattered the top of my foot.  They were going to fuse at the time and last minute decided not to. The nerves were so damaged I felt like I was walking on a thick sponge for a couple of years.  I had my screws removed 2years later as I found they were hurting and limiting my movement. Now 12 years later I still have nerve pain and struggle to get it moving some mornings. There are days where it's as good as gold and others where it is just so painful I just want to sit all day but I don't.  I found using it as much as possible is better than not as it only gets stiffer. I'm currently thinking of getting it looked at again as I feel maybe some bone fragment has moved as it hurts more than usual lately.

Good luck with your healing.  Wobble boards are great to exercise the rotation. 

Hang in there. I had a Talas fracture from a lead fall as well. There is some good advice in the forums on supplements, tumeric , glucosimine. I find biking is a solid cardio activity, when I wear a good brace, I don't have much issue. I use Ice and elevation a lot post activity. I will take ibuprofen before some big outings. I find a stiff boot works best for hiking, like mountaineering boots (nepal evos), something tall with a tight ankle. still looking for the perfect brace.

Good afternoon,
   I happen to find this sight by accident. Although I'm not a climber my injury is very similar. I have been unable to find any community to discuss my situation. I wish I had a more exciting tale to my injury then just stepping  off high step onto a large pump dispenser.
On April 6,2016, After a couple hours went to ER, which gave me air cast and said it was sprained and to follow up with ortho. Also noted possible fracture in leg.
Contacted ortho was told they only deal with knees and above. Finally got appt with podiatrist to reassure nothing else was wrong with foot. Never had sprain or  fracture so had no idea what to expect. Even though the pain was intense I delt with it knowing with a sprain I had to get back to moving so it wouldn't lock up. After then being put in sneaker looking brace,no crutches,again told just a sprain.
 After 6 weeks walking on ankle as able and the pain didn't subside an MRI was scheduled.
 7 weeks finally got diagnosis   nondisplaced talus neck and body fracture. immediately put on cast and crutches. 6 to 8 weeks later boot.
The pain never really left. After the fracture healed a sprain of posterior and anterior kept showing up.
Went to therapy and pool therapywoth only little success. I was hopeful once I got out of boot. 
Therapy was canceled, unable to work due to unable to stand for long periods. As I waited to get approval for another opinion I am only able to  be on foot for short periods of timewithput putting most of my weight on left foot. I am in pain most of the day,can't do regular things everyday.
The 2nd opinion dr(ankle specialist) has made me feel as though this is really nothing and the talus fracture is really nothing. He gave me cortisone shot for the first time. It was the worst but I was hoping for some relief. The next two days were worst than when I first hurt it. Couldn't walk on it back in the boot just to make it thru the house. some relief for day or two,but right back to when it was prior to shot. They won't look at my leg have pain up to my knee. I was hopeful,but now not so much. Was let go from job since I was not able to return.  I just feel as though all the drs are looking at me as though I'm exaggerating my situation since it didn't occur in car accident,snowboarding ,etc. I was always active with grandchild, dogs and now I can't even take them for walks due this pain and it giving out and falling.  If anyone can give me info how to get passed this and something to look forward to. I'm not a wimp just discouraged as to dealing with the pain. I have said a few times I wish I could just cut it off and be done with it. How do I apply to new jobs not knowing my limitations.I purchased a new bike with hope to us to help me get to activity,but haven't even been able to take out of box. 

Kellyanne - what a terrible story. You have my total sympathy. It is easy to blame the medical system but unfortunately the truth is that everyone is different and medicine is a very incomplete science with a lot of guesswork. All you can do is try to find the person who knows and try different things. Icing, prescription anti-inflammatory, acupuncture, PRP injections, heat treatments, physio treatment- I have done all these numerous times and they have worked although not consistently. Sometimes exercise such as cycling really helps even though you have to get through the initial pain. Good  luck 

That’s heavy Kelly, I did my talus one year ago on this coming Sunday. I run my own business and this injury and advice like u were given has caused me to have to close the operation down(building) so very labour intensive, I battled it for 9mths thinking it will come good.. unfortunately like u I’m supposed to be on light duties, which doesn’t feed my 3 hungry boys so I have to just suck it up on a cocktail of anti inflammatory and soaking in mineral salts, I love surfing and hiking and all this is very limited now too.
I was given fairly similar advice but they operated on me and took the broken piece of talus out, in my lack of medical knowledge I feel this has left a very angry aggravated raw bone to fuse itself to what ever is near it as it is almost fused now, I have done 2 qtr zone injections now with mild relief. It’s a massive change in pace and life and I’m still coming to grips with my limitations, thank God daily for the health I have now so I don’t take it for granted ever again.
Find what ever it is u can do and go enjoy it!!!

Ps I did mine water skiing I’m not a rock climber but enjoyed the common stories on this forum
All the best Kelly

Hi again,
 I gave so much respect for anyone who is going thru this. I'm losing this fight. The hope I had once is gone. I wanted to get back to work, play with my grandchild, go with family on outings, take my dogs for regular walks, driving my car more than 15 minutes without having to bring my boot /scooter. I dislike being characterized as a faker because this happen at work. How do you heal when you have to deal with courts etc to get medical treatment. I work 3rd shift since I have a disabled adult child that needs someone with them all the time. apparently they care about your home life,just assuming you are living the high life. I do daily exercises to keep from losing more range of motion, ice as needed. I had to take  real from meds due to stomach issues. I have never worked a sit down job. Has always had at least 2 jobs most of the time and raising a family.  I dont know how most of you are dealing  with this, its frustrating  daily. I keep thinking if I had surgery would that have helped. The other ? is I wonder what my fractures looked like prior to actually  being diagnosed. If they were nondisplaced after 6 weeks. and then took another 8 weeks to heal. I walked around as much as I could thinking I had a sprain with only a light  brace on because I needed to get  back to work.  well thanks for your responses and thanks for letting me vent.

I stumbled upon this reading about my upcoming surgery tomorrow morning. Scared is an understatement. I was involved in a head on collision New Years Day and the dash rolled in on my legs causing a talus fracture that then shifted. Reading these comments eased my mind but makes me so nervous for the recovery. Wish y’all the best of luck! 

Stay focused mate. Rest it as long as u can and do the rehab, mine is very slowly but very surely getting better. Praying u heal quickly all the best

@mandi, hope all is well with you and your surgery.  Luckily for you you seem to be getting proper treatment. From what I've  been reading that is the key. The matter as to how you come to this point in unfortunate. Hoping for a good recovery and the least amount of stress to you during this time.

Here is an update:
 was able to see ortho specialist, he gave a cortisone shot. apparently had a flare, 2 days could  barely walk on  it and the pain so intense couldn't sleep. By the 3rd day ot subsided but  increase pain in archillies tendon which only pccured now then or if I was stretching. 3 weeks and no relief if anything more pain over the top part of ankle and the sides.
Saw ortho again today. He seemed confused that I had no relief. He stated well since the shot didn't do anything surgery would  be out.  very confusing to me. If the shot helped why would I even think of going thru with surgery.  I'm so discouraged from  this and angry that if something was done sooner this may not  be the outcome. So again I'm told there is nothing that can  be done for me. So I am put into the category as a wc faker and working the system. so they already have their opinion and I won't get the help  needed for this reason.

I found this thread looking for some inspiration/success stories on healing from a talur fracture. I fractured and displaced my left talur bone rock climbing in September 2014. It required surgery and 4 screws, and the doctor told me I may not be able to run again. I took this pretty hard since long distance running is my passion. I decided to give it a try recently since my ankle is mostly normal these days, although I don’t think it will ever be truly normal again. I’ve only been on three runs so far and I’ve been in pretty serious pain for a week since. Am I going to be able to run again? Has anyone else been able to do distance running after an injury like this? Everyone keeps telling me to just buy a bike but it’s just not the same.