Cycling (turbo trainer) and sprained ankle

[captainzep]

Having sprained my ankle recently I'm getting pretty wound up about the fitness I'm losing -in the winter my main exercise is running.

I'm thinking of getting a turbo trainer and bolting my hybrid in -wondering if some gentle training on that might be better than begining to pound pavements again.

I know it depends on the sprain and the specific damage done, but in a general sense, are there any cyclists on here who have turned ankles and got on their bike as part of the recovery?

[DarrenL]

captainzep said:

Having sprained my ankle recently I'm getting pretty wound up about the fitness I'm losing -in the winter my main exercise is running.

I'm thinking of getting a turbo trainer and bolting my hybrid in -wondering if some gentle training on that might be better than begining to pound pavements again.

I know it depends on the sprain and the specific damage done, but in a general sense, are there any cyclists on here who have turned ankles and got on their bike as part of the recovery?

I feel your pain, brother.

I have sprained my ankle, which is keeping me from off the bike, running, martial arts etc... and its driving me mad.

I went to the family doc the other day, who suggested I stay off the bike (and refrain from all activities) for three weeks. She said even though the impact is not as harsh as it is from running, there is still an impact which your tendons and ligaments wont appreciate.

She also said if I MUST do some exercise, then I should go swimming (as you arent meant to move your ankles) but will also give you a fantastic cardo vascular work out. Failing that, weight training is also ok.

[captainzep]

Thanks Darren.

That sounds like the sensible and correct thing, but not what I wanted to hear.

Can't believe I did it in the first place, -haven't my turned my ankle over this badly since I was a kid. I can walk almost normally (after 2 weeks) but it's still a bit swollen and bruised.

[DarrenL]

captainzep said:

Thanks Darren.

That sounds like the sensible and correct thing, but not what I wanted to hear.

Can't believe I did it in the first place, -haven't my turned my ankle over this badly since I was a kid. I can walk almost normally (after 2 weeks) but it's still a bit swollen and bruised.

I seem to have an on going problem with my ankle (maybe a dozen or so sprains in the last 4 years). I'm going to invest in an ankle brace (similar to one worn by Andy Murray) to help.

So, please, take my advice- stay the **** off it until your completely healed! Look up physio techniques on youtube- these will help massively.

[captainzep]

DarrenL said:

So, please, take my advice- stay the **** off it until your completely healed! Look up physio techniques on youtube- these will help massively.

Sorry to hear of your bad luck Darren.

You may be right too...

Just wandered back from getting a sandwich, went to skip across the road quickly as the lights were changing, pushed off on my bad ankle... 'OW'.

Looks like I'll have to start bench-pressing the bike...

[captainzep]

swerni said:

I did this last September on a training weekend in Snowdonia



Still not right, but my fault, don't think climbing Kili and all the other stuff helped

However the first thing I could do was ride the bike due to the lack of lateral movement on the joint.

Not bad. Not bad...

Normal L leg:



Not normal R leg:



Think you win actually Swerni...

Edited by captainzep on Monday 7th February 21:14

[Rocksteadyeddie]

Just go careful. My friend "sprained" her ankle just before Christmas. She got the MRI results back today having finally been persuaded to go to the doctor. Diagnosis? One totally ripped ligament. Two other torn ligaments. Two stress fractures. No cycling for 6 weeks. No running for 3 months.

[captainzep]

Rocksteadyeddie said:

Just go careful. My friend "sprained" her ankle just before Christmas. She got the MRI results back today having finally been persuaded to go to the doctor. Diagnosis? One totally ripped ligament. Two other torn ligaments. Two stress fractures. No cycling for 6 weeks. No running for 3 months.

Thanks Eddie.

Don't think I'm that bad, getting too much movement and strength back in the ankle now. Albeit with slightly purple toes. Back in the office after the weekend is probably a good thing too because its the Saturdays and Sundays, -having to hobble around the house after the kids, up and down the stairs that slowed the initial healing I think...