How soon can I cycle following fractured lateral malleolus?

Hi, would be most grateful for some advice on whether I can use bicycling to get muscle tone and flex back into my ankle.

Here's the situation:

I fractured my ankle (lateral malleolus). The fracture line was on a 45deg angle sloping inwards. Docs described it as unstable. It was in a cast for 6 weeks. In the last 7 days, I was able to increasingly weight-bear on it, to the point in the last few days of being able to walk several kilometres with no crutches.

Yesterday the cast was removed. Flex is okay, but not wonderful. Doc thought it was good. Says strength is approx 75%, and said definitely no surfing for another 4 weeks. He suggested housework :rolleyes:.

I can't push up onto tip-toes on that foot alone, as I can with good foot, as there is no muscle strength. I can walk about 3km (2ish miles), but have a limp. Swam 1000m last night with lots of breaks.

Given the above description, would it be a go-er for me to start cycling to work and back (about 5km each way) to really kick rehabilitation into gear? I would take it pretty easy for the first few days - I promise!!.

Cheers for taking the time to read!!

Dumbell,

In short. If you can walk that distance without symptoms then cycling should be fine - though avoiding crashing. To be very conservative trial flat ground or stationary bike for a few times and gradually build time on to resemble your ride to work. Possibly avoid very high gears or steep inclines for a few weeks until your endurance has returned and then ease slowly into them. Otherwise I don't see any reason for not including cycling into your rehab - though I cannot be 100% positive as you can appreciate. Latent and particularly night pain are the things to watch for and will guide your cycling/rehab.

Good luck

Hi, just to post followup, I let it have a week out of the cast before cycling. And cycling is absolutely fine. I was worried about the lack of forward-flex at the ankle, but it's all good.

As I currently can't stand on toes on that foot, I'm sure it's the best thing for it, as cycling works that standing-on-toes set of muscles with every pedal :).

As for the rest of my general fitness, and my sore backside from the cycle seat however... :o

Cheers for the advice!!

Hi, I just fractured my left lateral malleolus on 6th June, still attached though. The fracture looks a bit like a chevron, pointed upwards.

Just a bit curious. Is cycling on a stationary bike a normal physiotherapy routine for this type of injury? I guess it'll be good for strength building. I lost some muscle on my left thigh already (quadriceps), due to a non weight bearing cast. I've been on the cast for 4 weeks now.