Fractured ankle on third day ever climbing

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gwab72

climber
Topic Author's Original Post - Apr 25, 2017 - 06:56pm PT
You might imagine that everyone in my life (save for my partner) obviously is in "I told you so" mode. The general assumption basically from everyone is "ok, so you tried it and it's as dangerous as everyone says, so of course you won't go back, right?"

Well, wrong. I think. I loved every second of climbing. I had finally got over my anxiety about being in the crowded gym. had gone by myself for two days in a row and had just sent the easiest boulder path, several times in a row, on a pretty short wall. On the last go, I down climbed a couple holds, then I hung off a hold and dropped, which I'd been doing all day. Landed wrong and heard my ankle break. Three pops. Trimalleolar fracture. Surgery was one week later and I'm one week out from surgery. I've just got a hangboard and have been doing upper body training.

I'm deeply afraid that I'll never be able to walk well again- much less run, which I also enjoy a lot.

I would love to hear some success stories, and any stories you have about going back at it after an injury like this. Will I ever boulder again? I'd just decided that day that I like bouldering better than the auto belay wall (I had not done the top rope wall due to having no partner) and I was stoked to learn more techniques for bouldering.

My partner (in crime) got me a harness and a belay device, and set an anchor in the ceiling so that I can hook in when I'm doing hangboard training.

I'm scared to go back to the gym to try to top rope with the ankle brace on because I feel so stupid for having broken my ankle in their gym and getting carted out of there by paramedics. (seriously, I would have limped out and got my people to drive me but I was alone there) I'm embarrassed and I was already self conscious about being there because I'm a woman.
drF

Trad climber
usa
Apr 25, 2017 - 07:00pm PT
If I were you I'd PM Craig Fry.

He's yur huckleberry.

He's a Dem0crack
gwab72

climber
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 25, 2017 - 07:14pm PT
I needed that kick in the ass, thank you. I 100% agree and I needed to be reminded of that.
skcreidc

Social climber
SD, CA
Apr 25, 2017 - 07:44pm PT
Sux don't it. But you will be back. I'm slowly working my way back...I'm just starting to trail run again, in short 5 min sections. And climb really easy stuff; gets a little better each and every time out.

Something about those right ankles


gwab72

climber
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 25, 2017 - 08:43pm PT
I'm dying to see what's under the dressing but even though I called and begged, surgeon said I can't cut into it and look.

I was just one-foot hopping in my closet and tripped, landed dead on the bad foot. I was sure I'd torn the whole thing apart. It hurt a lot but I don't feel any swelling. I'll be using my crutches and brace a lot more now, obviously. Good lesson to learn the night before going back to work.

I'll try not to think about what they will want to do if I've dislodged their plates and screws in some way.
jgill

Boulder climber
The high prairie of southern Colorado
Apr 25, 2017 - 08:49pm PT
Unfortunately, bouldering can be more dangerous than roped climbing. Was 72 your birthyear? If so, it'll take a while to get back into climbing. If and when you do get back insist on a top rope when bouldering, to hell with hecklers.
gwab72

climber
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 25, 2017 - 08:52pm PT
yes, 1972 was birthyear. I'm definitely was oldest person in the gym on most days I went.


Tami, they haven't given me Physio instructions aside from "try to move it up and down a little" and my insurance was just cancelled so I doubt physio will be covered.
okie

Trad climber
Apr 25, 2017 - 09:15pm PT
What John Gill, THE bouldering legend said above: bouldering can be more dangerous than other types of climbing. I've never been hurt from roped climbing but have a missing chunk from my leg from a bouldering accident.

Just the other day I saw a woman break her ankle in the Berkeley gym. It's unfortunately common. At least you got the injury out of the way early and from here on it's gonna be enjoyment.
skcreidc

Social climber
SD, CA
Apr 25, 2017 - 09:22pm PT
At this point all you can do is wiggle your toes, and follow your doctors advise. It will take time for it to heal so you may have to learn to be patient with it. I know I did.

My doctor was great at fixing the break, but the soft tissue damage was completely another story. It's now obvious to me that it will be a year and a half before I am 100% again. I'm nearly half way there now
Fan

climber
Apr 25, 2017 - 09:30pm PT
When my late husband Bob was 50, he was bouldering on Dark Side Dome in Tuolumne while he waited for his partner to tie his shoes. Two holds detached simultaneously. He fell, smashing a heel and an breaking an ankle. The orthopedic surgeons at Mammoth told him to get used to the fact that he might never walk again. He smiled confidently and said, “I’ll climb again.” And he did. Hang in there.
Bonnie Kamps
jgill

Boulder climber
The high prairie of southern Colorado
Apr 25, 2017 - 09:43pm PT
“I’ll climb again.” And he did


I'll say!

Hi, Bonnie.

John
rgold

Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
Apr 25, 2017 - 10:17pm PT
If it'll get me to climb half as well as Bob Kamps, I'm ready to have my ankles broken right away.

More seriously, John is right about bouldering. I gave it up at the ripe old age of 68 after a short jump onto a plump pad in a gym rolled my ankle and ruptured my ACL. That was five years ago and I've been climbing regularly, but don't think the risks of bouldering worth the time it takes to recover at this point.

Of course I've been back to the gym where it happened---you're being pretty silly about that. Everyone will be very nice, ask how you are doing, and tell you how he same thing happened to them, or if the same thing didn't happen to them, they'll tell you about something else that happened to them...
WBraun

climber
Apr 25, 2017 - 10:31pm PT
The gross materialist's body shops are pretty good these days ........
mcreel

climber
Barcelona
Apr 25, 2017 - 10:51pm PT
If you've only been climbing 3 days, watch out with the hangboard! They are advanced training tools that require being conscious of your body's limits. Finger injuries, elbow and shoulder tendonitis, and probably other problems, can easily result from overdoing it. Start slow and easy, and don't use it on consecutive days. Good luck with the ankle!
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
Apr 25, 2017 - 11:01pm PT
Gyms are dangerous. Use sparingly. Climb outside when things are back to sending.

Rolled my ankle twice this last weekend just hiking. I wonder if weak ligaments makes it easier or harder to break the bones.

gwab72

climber
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 26, 2017 - 04:45am PT
I can tell I'll be using the hangboard mostly just for dead hang practice and whatnot. I think my partner will get more use out of it than me. I have an iron gym bar that I'm using for assisted pullups and whatnot.
Nick Danger

Ice climber
Arvada, CO
Apr 26, 2017 - 06:48am PT
You can totally come back from this. Much good advice has been offered above on both your healing process and avoiding further injuries whilst bouldering. I blew out my shoulder rather early in my climbing career, went under the knife, and went on to do many fine and stupid things. This is just another event in your life, it certainly does not need to be a defining moment in the sense that it prevents you from following whatever adventure dreams you may have.

At the gym I climb at it is not all that unusual to see some lass or lad climbing with a top rope and one foot in a cast. My personal favorite was the young lady 7 months pregnant pulling down hard on 5.12's in the gym, on top rope of course.

You can come back from this, don't worry about it.
Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber
Out Of Bed
Apr 26, 2017 - 07:31am PT
I only got as far as Jim to far north for him to care ( really?)

Jim Brennan

Trad climber

Apr 25, 2017 - 07:06pm PT
Get over yourself.

You defied gravity and were taught a lesson in physics.

Go climbing again when you feel better. Worrying about what other people think is a great way to never do anything that matters to you personally.

Personal shame is over rated. Lose your sense of sentimentality and go forward after an injury.

Physical strength is easy to achieve. Mental fitness is just as important.



Wow, as if you had just gulped the second slurp of a great Single Malt, wishing you'd added
One square of ice,n'so pouring a 2nd shot . . . .
You left off all the compassion and well wishes , for a fast and positive rehabilitation,
with the explanation of what a learning experience it was,
and proof of the fact that - the Learning curve for the weaker, is in all ways, always steeper , really across the spectrum ,
so to speak, that and there are a handful of you who I've have not yet read the sss
The Seriously supportive Stuff


Why o ? Why did it all print, now gone whew? That was close

Nuglet

Trad climber
Orange Murica!
Apr 26, 2017 - 08:03am PT
I've been climbing for 30 years and had a hard catch 3 times that fvcked up my ankles. And i had known and climbing with all of them for years

speedy recovery
chill

climber
The fat part of the bell-curve
Apr 26, 2017 - 08:17am PT
had just sent the easiest boulder path

I hope you recover quickly and climb again, but please, never say "boulder path" again.
Messages 1 - 20 of total 48 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
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