positive stories helped me a lot during my recovery so I thought I would share my progress!
I was very active prior to my injury, rock climbing, weight training, running, hiking, pole dancing and overall just being out and about. I suffered from trimal break and dislocation of my right ankle at the end of December 2025, it was pretty fragmented , 3 plates 14 screws. The first stage of recovery felt hard and long, lots of ups and downs, when I was cleared to FWB early march it took me days to celebrate it, I was so emotionally and physically exhausted.
I am at the end of the 4th month and I can’t believe the progress I have made - I have been working with a great physio, who is training me to get back to doing all the sports I love. last week I went on my first hike! 9.5k about 14,000 steps all in one go, terrain was a little rocky and only a little elevation, I was knackered by the end of it and it felt so good!!
most days I get around without even thinking about it, some days it’s a little tired or stiff, but always loosens with movement. I am lucky that the swelling is pretty low and very manageable. I am still working on a lot of things, dorsiflexion and standing on tippy toes with full weight on injured ankle (for some reason my brain has been over protective of that movement), and building muscle. i think i can start jogging soon !
I have signed up for my first 20k trail run as a goal, it will be about 1 year since my break when I run it. my philosophy is if it seems scary, do it (obvs within reason), I think this has helped me a lot particularly when relearning to walk and balance etc as the brain can be overprotective of our body after a traumatic event. Learn to understand when you can test that boundary, and that will allow you to progress.
Mentally, I am still doing work to recover. I think the brain is amazing at blocking traumatic events out, looking back it all seems a big sad blur, but I’m definitely more delicate and sensitive, and my anxiety has come back in full force. I am in no rush, and believe I will come back stronger mentally too. I try and not think about future complications, to avoid getting overly anxious about things that might not happen.
Allow Yourself to feel all the feels, it’s a shit situation, but never lose hope! you will learn so much about your body in the process and will come back stronger and more driven 💖 you got this!