Profile: Surgeon, Runner, Occasional Climber, Lover of Books
Injury: Fractured one of those foot bones.
Issue: Frail Bones
On August 26, 2017 I took a lead fall and fractured my left talus. Not just broken in half but entirely displaced tearing most ligaments and tendons in my ankle, I needed emergency surgery and two screws and a bone anchor to put the pieces back together. The outcome potential was dismal, 70% risk of avascular necrosis (meaning a collapse of the bone and an ankle fusion). My surgeon firmly suggested I forget the possibility of running again.
I spent three months non-weight bearing. By mid December I was finally hobbling around without crutches. By mid February I was backcountry skiing, but utterly unable to walk as soon as the ski boot was off. I knew I needed to rehab properly and other than mobilizing the joint, physio was doing nothing to rehab the rest my body that had spent months compensating for the useless left leg.
My surgeon firmly suggested I forget the possibility of running again.
After one day of backcountry skiing, I made it to a friend’s place barely walking due to the pain. Ian talked me into let him mobilize my ankle. Fifteen excruciating minutes later, I managed to walk out with barely a limp and minimal pain. Convinced, I joined Ascension and the regular torture sessions continued. Working on the ankle, the entire leg and all the compensatory overuse habits I had developed, Ian made sure my strength and balance returned. His fingers really are wooden and they leave bruises, but the range of motion and functional gains are well worth it.
A year later, I’m still rehabbing, working on strength and range of motion with Ian. But I rarely limp and I am running faster than I was prior to the fracture. My surgeon swears that I shouldn’t be able to do the things I can do.
So don’t tell my surgeon I’m climbing again…