Broken Ankle after Moto Spill: What to expect?
Broken Ankle after Moto Spill: What to expect?
So, tomorrow marks 4 weeks since my first major spill.
Me and 4 other guys were riding north of Pensacola, FL and I hit a blind 110 degree turn on the outside of the lane. There was a road intersecting the apex of the turn (a Y intersection), and those always have gravel in them, so I didn't want to lean in to the curve too much and risk my rear coming out from under me. So I had to try to muscle my way through the turn. Went off road about 10 feet and took a 5' wide yearling pine right across my right ankle. Broke the damn tree off and it got hung on my leg/right peg and caused me to ditch the bike. Rolled a few times, wiggled my toes, threw up my thumbs and just lay there for a minute. The bike is fine: only a broken mirror, dirty derby cover. Thought the ankle was just sprained, so I rode the 30mi back home.
I ended up needing surgery - 3 screws to put the ankle back together, then 4 days later and after an unusual amount of pain, the ortho advised a 2nd surgery to pin a ligament that she FORGOT to do in the first surgery...
So anyway... Has anyone else broken their ankle in a moto spill? What can I expect for recovery time?
P.S.: Anyone who says sporties are not great bikes can go take a dump. She rode like a champ after that spill, and I've got some drags coming in next week so I have something to wrench on while I'm healing.
Me and 4 other guys were riding north of Pensacola, FL and I hit a blind 110 degree turn on the outside of the lane. There was a road intersecting the apex of the turn (a Y intersection), and those always have gravel in them, so I didn't want to lean in to the curve too much and risk my rear coming out from under me. So I had to try to muscle my way through the turn. Went off road about 10 feet and took a 5' wide yearling pine right across my right ankle. Broke the damn tree off and it got hung on my leg/right peg and caused me to ditch the bike. Rolled a few times, wiggled my toes, threw up my thumbs and just lay there for a minute. The bike is fine: only a broken mirror, dirty derby cover. Thought the ankle was just sprained, so I rode the 30mi back home.
I ended up needing surgery - 3 screws to put the ankle back together, then 4 days later and after an unusual amount of pain, the ortho advised a 2nd surgery to pin a ligament that she FORGOT to do in the first surgery...
So anyway... Has anyone else broken their ankle in a moto spill? What can I expect for recovery time?
P.S.: Anyone who says sporties are not great bikes can go take a dump. She rode like a champ after that spill, and I've got some drags coming in next week so I have something to wrench on while I'm healing.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 488
From: Central California
Man, I think we must be cosmically linked. I had an accident a couple years ago while riding in the foothills. Rounding a curve, and a coyote jumps out RIGHT in front of me. Grabbed too much front brake and down I went.
Initial exam showed no break. So, I was up and walking around on it a couple days later, "pushing through the pain."
Urgent care place I went to called a week later and told me to make an appointment with my regular doc. There was a fracture after all. The next x-ray showed the break had opened up. Surgery required. Three screws. Cast for four weeks, ankle boot for 8 more weeks. Lost a whole summer of riding including my planned trip to Sturgis. And oh yeah, it HURT LIKE HELL for a few days after surgery.
It cost me more than $4000 in out of pocket expenses, (what insurance didn't cover) not including bike repairs. I walked with a "gait" for several months, and it still gets sore when the weather turns cold.
I spent the money and got a set of Sidi armored boots afterward. Had I bought 'em before, the ankle may have been spared. They were a bunch of money, but a lot less money that what the injury cost.
Do what the doctors say, and don't cheat. Re-injuring the ankle will make it worse. You already know how much it sux to be immobilized because of it.
Good luck in your healing.
Initial exam showed no break. So, I was up and walking around on it a couple days later, "pushing through the pain."
Urgent care place I went to called a week later and told me to make an appointment with my regular doc. There was a fracture after all. The next x-ray showed the break had opened up. Surgery required. Three screws. Cast for four weeks, ankle boot for 8 more weeks. Lost a whole summer of riding including my planned trip to Sturgis. And oh yeah, it HURT LIKE HELL for a few days after surgery.
It cost me more than $4000 in out of pocket expenses, (what insurance didn't cover) not including bike repairs. I walked with a "gait" for several months, and it still gets sore when the weather turns cold.
I spent the money and got a set of Sidi armored boots afterward. Had I bought 'em before, the ankle may have been spared. They were a bunch of money, but a lot less money that what the injury cost.
Do what the doctors say, and don't cheat. Re-injuring the ankle will make it worse. You already know how much it sux to be immobilized because of it.
Good luck in your healing.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 189
From: Louisiana
Friend crushed her ankle pretty good. Recovery took about 9 months.
Armored boots, while not part of the "uniform" are often worth their expense (and I don't give a crap what people think when I'm armored up).
Armored boots, while not part of the "uniform" are often worth their expense (and I don't give a crap what people think when I'm armored up).
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 488
From: Central California
OP, do a lot of research on boots. There are a lot of good ones out there.....and a lot of crap.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,530
Likes: 546
From: Wayne County, PA
No way mike, the same happened with me except I got a call 4 days after my xrays saying to go to a er immediately cause my spine was broken. Urgent cares suck hahaha. Glad you are ok op.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 3,790
Likes: 3,768
From: Monticello, Florida
Broke my ankle at stop. Put my foot down on the edge of a "Pothole", (hense my nic) ankle rolled and "snap" but, didn't drop my bike. Went home, had the ole lady take me to the hospital, they x-ray and put a cast on it. Next morning, bunged the crutches to the sissy bar and off I went. No down time but, thats just me.
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I'm digging some of the Sidi boots. They're pricey, but if they'll save a bone, I'm down.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 488
From: Central California
Not hot in the summer, and with good socks not cold in winter. The only downside is that they squeek. Made it Italy.
I did not regret the purchase. I wish I had bought them sooner.
But then, I was just out for a quick spin in the foothills after work.....I was wearing run of the mill work boots.
Yamaharley, damn dude. That's scary! I hope things went well.
Urgent care is like going to the nurse's office in elementary school. A band-aid or an aspirin is about all they'e good for. They apparently are using personnel with a learners permit to read x-rays.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 322,622
Likes: 3,077
From: .....
What can you expect in recovery time?
What did your doctor say? Or are you going to rush it, take the cast off yourself and rebreak it? That's what I did when I broke my left ring finger inside my hand. It rebroke and never healed right.
What did your doctor say? Or are you going to rush it, take the cast off yourself and rebreak it? That's what I did when I broke my left ring finger inside my hand. It rebroke and never healed right.