advice needed-recovering from broken leg

[sambamama]

I am an avid ballroom dancer. I have been in several competitions and done an individual waltz routine with my instructor. I have been dancing for three years. At the end of January, I was unfortunate enough to break my right leg in three places. I broke the fibula up high, the tibia low with a bad spiral fracture, and fractured my ankle to boot. I was in a cast up to my hip for two months and a low leg cast for one month. I now am in an aircast. My doctor has said I can start dancing again in three weeks. However, I am supposed to keep things slow and not too twisty, so no samba, etc. for awhile. I am dying to start dancing again. Does anyone have any advice about how to start up again? Good shoe advice, how much to do, etc.? Any advice is gladly appreciated. sambamama

[SDsalsaguy]

Hi sambamama, sorry to hear about the injuries but welcome to the forums!

As far as shoes are concerned I would definitely start with jazz sneakers – probably BLOCH, as they tend to have the most cushioning. Movement wise I would just start by getting my body used to the different figures again, i.e. hold off on rise and fall, etc., (especially with a recent ankle injury) for a while. You’re also probably best off starting with the standard/smooth dances where your feet are in neutral position instead of the Latin/rhythm dances which call for turn out and even greater attention to use of the inside edge of the foot. Take it slowly and only then start to phase things like rise & fall and the Latin/rhythm dances back in.

I strongly encourage you to avoid the mistake of trying to do too much too soon – a mistake all too easy to make among us avid dancers. I myself have a bad back and, in the past, have rushed back too soon…and in trying to get on the floor two weeks sooner have cost myself two months more. Patience (well, at least as the saying is concerned) is a virtue.

Good luck with your continuing recovery and return to dancing…and keep us posted.

--Jonathan

[Vince A]

sambamama . .

We last heard from on May 11 . . . was wondering how you are doing? You stated that your doctor said you could start again in three weeks . . . have you?

The suggestion for the dance sneakers is a good one. Give it a try.

I had the top of my foot broken in a WCS about two years ago. On a crowded dance floor, the young lady dancing beside me did a ronde' as I stepped '5' (my right foot) in the dance. She completely took me off of my feet and into the hospital. Cracked the top of my foot. After many specialists - who said I probably would never heal from such an injury at that location - I am back and dancing and winning like never before.

Take it slow . . . try the dance sneakers . . . try some coral calcium . . . try "SeaSilver" . . . if anything the supplements do help the with the mind healing!

Let us know how you are doing???

Vince A

[pygmalion]

Wow Vince! Talk to me about how you did your rehab from your broken foot, and got back up to speed dance-wise.