 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all, I have found myself in a bit of a pickle 3 weeks prior to going on my ski holiday to Tignes in March and looking for advice.
I have unfortunately injured myself playing football on Saturday with someone falling on top of my left ankle (large bloke) and was not able walk afterwards and is the first time I’ve injured my ankle. I had X-rays which confirmed no break and diagnosed with a sprain with ATFL being most likely and recommended 4-6 weeks recovery. My holiday is in 3 weeks! Consultant thinks there’s a chance I may be able to go skiing and will see me just prior to going.
This will be trip number 4 and I’ve been progressing quite well and would say I’m a confident intermediate.
Is it still possible to go and take it easy with the beginners in our group? My plan is to see how I am one week after the injury and try to do a session on the dry slope before I go.
Thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Feel for you but nobody can answer your question. Take advice from your doctor and plan from there. Do you have insurance if you need to cancel?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I injured my ankle a few years back in a snowboard fight with a small tree (the tree won) and sprained it quite badly. Switched to skis and was able to ski just fine - the only tricky bit was getting boots on & off, but once they are on the ankle is pretty well protected. Probably not recommended for recovery.. but if you can get your boots on you should be fine.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Owls101 wrote: |
| Feel for you but nobody can answer your question. Take advice from your doctor and plan from there. Do you have insurance if you need to cancel? |
Yes I do have insurance and I’m wondering if I should wait until my next consultation before letting them know as it is still early days.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Your consultant thinks you may be able to ski, he or she has seen you, I would stick with their advice.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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As long as you've got the swelling down and can flex it enough to get it in the boot, I doubt you'll have any issue at all. Might be a bit sore to start with but you can take painkillers for that.
A (well fitted) ski boot is a really good environment for a sprained ankle - complete support against lateral twisting, pronation/supination etc (with a good footbed) and just a normal dorsiflexion movement. The exercise promotes bloodflow which will clear out the scar tissue and rebuild the damaged ligament quickly, much more quickly than resting it will.
Even if it hurts to start with, keep going, it'll ease off within 2-3 days. I speak from experience.
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| chubuking wrote: |
| Owls101 wrote: |
| Feel for you but nobody can answer your question. Take advice from your doctor and plan from there. Do you have insurance if you need to cancel? |
Yes I do have insurance and I’m wondering if I should wait until my next consultation before letting them know as it is still early days. |
I personally would wait till the last possible moment. If the doc says it's ok, then go. If not, claim on insurance. Would have thought insurance co would want to see something from the doc to proceed with your claim.
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As above, will probably be fine. Have you been given any exercises to do for recovery? I was told to go hiking on uneven paths, with a support if necessary, because it's good physio for ankles.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Owls101 wrote: |
| chubuking wrote: |
| Owls101 wrote: |
| Feel for you but nobody can answer your question. Take advice from your doctor and plan from there. Do you have insurance if you need to cancel? |
Yes I do have insurance and I’m wondering if I should wait until my next consultation before letting them know as it is still early days. |
I personally would wait till the last possible moment. If the doc says it's ok, then go. If not, claim on insurance. Would have thought insurance co would want to see something from the doc to proceed with your claim. |
THIS.
Insurance won't pay out if you say "I twisted my ankle playing football". They'll want a medical sign off that you can't ski (although even then I'm not sure travel insurance will pay out just because you can't do an activity when you're there - it's normally if you can't travel).
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I have one very dodgy ankle that I injured many years ago. I regularly turn it over, resulting in swelling and bruising (and expletives). I've found that appart from difficulty getting ski boots on/off, the boot is probably the best brace I've ever worn and I can ski almost without issue.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Not the same issue, but I picked up an achilles issue 3 weeks before going skiing (most likely tendonitis, says the physio) - I'm marathon training, so clocking up some hefty miles on the roads. A week in a ski boot did wonders for it! By the end of the week I was pain free and had a greater range of movement in my ankle than I'd set out with.
Now I'm back and clocking up the miles again, it's a different story... Maybe I need a week's skiing in between every couple of weeks of marathon training!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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I *think* that as you have consulted a Consultant, the circumstances you declared when you took out the insurance have changed and you should notify your insurance company- though I would also let them know you have an appointment just before you are due to go with a hope that you will get the all clear.
Commiserations over your injury, and good luck.
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| paulhinch wrote: |
Insurance won't pay out if you say "I twisted my ankle playing football". They'll want a medical sign off that you can't ski (although even then I'm not sure travel insurance will pay out just because you can't do an activity when you're there - it's normally if you can't travel). |
I'm not sure they will want anything unless you actually claim, but you will have to tell them and you might even have to cancel and reinsure at a raised premium, possibly with someone else.
I broke my collar bone in November and subsequently insured two ski holidays and they were not interested in any "sign off" (one family, one with mates). I'm not sure how much it cost me in premiums, but I'd guess £40 the first time, £15 the second (5 weeks later).
Since the computer can't read a letter I don't think that they worry about it: they just assume you have a standard case of a standard medical condition and let the actuaries deal with it. As soon as you have to claim, that will be different.
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You know it makes sense.
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Rest, Ice, physio, elevate, movement etc you should be ok, a ski boot makes a great brace (assuming you have dealt with any swelling) - good luck. Ankles can recover very fast on occasions.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| tsgsh wrote: |
| paulhinch wrote: |
Insurance won't pay out if you say "I twisted my ankle playing football". They'll want a medical sign off that you can't ski (although even then I'm not sure travel insurance will pay out just because you can't do an activity when you're there - it's normally if you can't travel). |
I'm not sure they will want anything unless you actually claim, but you will have to tell them and you might even have to cancel and reinsure at a raised premium, possibly with someone else.
I broke my collar bone in November and subsequently insured two ski holidays and they were not interested in any "sign off" (one family, one with mates). I'm not sure how much it cost me in premiums, but I'd guess £40 the first time, £15 the second (5 weeks later).
Since the computer can't read a letter I don't think that they worry about it: they just assume you have a standard case of a standard medical condition and let the actuaries deal with it. As soon as you have to claim, that will be different. |
That was my point. If you want to claim on your travel insurance they'll want a medical note to say you can't travel.
I'm not sure most holiday insurances would pay up for cancellation because you can't do an activity whilst you're away. Even though we all call it a ski holiday, it's just a holiday that you happen to be planning to do some skiing whilst you're on it. Insurers will notoriously not pay out unless you get a doctor to say "they can't go on it".
As to circumstances changing.....I'd say that depends whether you're having ongoing treatment. If the consultant signs you off then it's not a pre-existing condition (based on my experience trying to sort insurance for my parents last year). I'd be tempted to call them up to double check though. Last thing you want is to find they're disputing paying for your broken collarbone because you twisted your ankle and didn't tell them (even if it had no bearing on the injury).
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Poster: A snowHead
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@chubuking, do you have your own, well-fitted boots? Whilst I agree with those who say you should be fine if you can get the boot on and off, it strikes me as fairly crucial that the boot is a snug fit. The last thing you want is for your foot to be swivelling about in a loose-fitting rental boot.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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From my last trip's insurance policy:
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Changes to your health after purchasing your policy
If after you purchase your policy, or before booking any new trips, any of the following happens:
• you are diagnosed with a new medical condition
• your doctor, or consultant changes your prescribed medication
• you receive inpatient medical treatment
• you are now awaiting a diagnosis, investigation, test results or medical treatment
then you must contact Staysure Customer Services. A member of the team will ask you specific questions about your medical condition(s).
This may result in an additional premium to allow cover to continue, to add additional Terms and Conditions to your policy or to exclude cover for the newly diagnosed condition or for the condition that has undergone significant change.
If we are unable to continue to provide cover, or if you do not wish to pay the additional premium you will be entitled to make a claim under Section 1 (Cancellation) for costs which cannot be recovered elsewhere for trips booked prior to the change in health.
Alternatively, you will be entitled to cancel your policy, in which case, we will refund a proportionate amount of your premium.
Please note that your doctor, or consultant telling you that you are well enough to travel does not mean that you will be covered for your pre-existing medical condition(s). If you have any concerns regarding whether, or not you will be covered please contact Staysure Customer Service |
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| Hurtle wrote: |
| @chubuking, do you have your own, well-fitted boots? Whilst I agree with those who say you should be fine if you can get the boot on and off, it strikes me as fairly crucial that the boot is a snug fit. The last thing you want is for your foot to be swivelling about in a loose-fitting rental boot. |
I do not unfortunately, I have been meaning to purchase my own boots would now be a good time to consider?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| chubuking wrote: |
| I do not unfortunately, I have been meaning to purchase my own boots would now be a good time to consider? |
No, probably not. You want to be pain free with no swelling when you get your boots fitted, otherwise you won't know whether any discomfort is the boot or the injury, and you may be averse to pressure which wouldn't bother you after recovery. However, don't be concerned about taking your hire boots back if they don't work for you – pop back in and try some others.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@chubuking, I sprained my ankle on my last day skiing (29th Dec) over Christmas (don't ask) just gone. Grade II sprain. It was very bruised and swollen by the time I got home. Plenty of rest, anti-inflammatory meds and physio after a week. I was back on skis within 4 weeks (28th Jan). Getting into my boot was a pain, but thankfully only done once a day. Keep the boots warm and they are more flexible and 'easier' to get into. To my surprise, the sprain had no real impact on my skiing. Happy Days. Getting ready to head for our final trip of the season in under two weeks time. Tried my boot on again yesterday.... a lot easier now. Best of luck.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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spraind my ankle training Judo (starting Judo with 45 was not the best idea), and i manage to snowboarding after 3 Weeks.
One question : is only a strain of the ATFL? or partially raptured?
i managed to got an MRT to be sure that it was not a raptured, and thats why the doc told me simply "if you manage with the pain, you can go"
I suppose with even a partiall rapture the answer would be a NO GO
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I'd ignore the consultant who has physically examined your injury, and who is no doubt an expert on these things.
Instead, I'd ask a few random, unqualified people you've never met what they think.
Take it from there...
And check your insurance policy carefully before claiming anything - you may find you're not covered for injuries incurred during some activities (football).
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What bad timing. I have done my ankle twice playing football. Second time I stupidly carried on playing then 3 weeks out....but the first time was utter agony and I couldn't walk unaided missed loads of sport for 5 weeks. If its grade 2 you might get away with it. But you need to be honest with yourself that after 3 weeks as a confident intermediate you won't be taking it easy with the beginners. Well you might for 1 morning!!! 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@paulhinch
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That was my point.
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I misinterpreted your post or mentally inserted "for a pre-existing injury" in there somewhere. Sorry.
I agree, they would be very unlikely to pay out for an injury that would not prevent you getting to the resort unless it was a very specialised (and therefore expensive) insurer rather than a generic winter sports bolt-on.
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| adithorp wrote: |
| I've found that appart from difficulty getting ski boots on/off, the boot is probably the best brace I've ever worn and I can ski almost without issue. |
My missus sprained her ankle a couple of weeks before a ski trip and was worried about it - but this is what she found.
She didn't go to see anybody about it though and it wouldn't have been mentioned should an insurance claim have been made.
Always been a question to what depth insurance companies go to when checking claims or what would invalid what. For example if I was awaiting a diagnosis for chest pains and did my ACL would they not pay. And I'm not sure anyone knows the answer!
I think once my wife was waiting for results of some tests and when I phoned the insurance they said they wouldn't charge any more money but that if we made a claim that could be related back to the issue that the tests were the claim would be rejected. Which kind of leaves you in limbo. But we just went.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Just to update, I cancelled the trip. I tried having a go on the dry slope and realised I would be in pain for the whole holiday which isn’t fun! Oh well..
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@chubuking, thats a shame but having tested it, probably the best decision.
Be sure to do any recommended physio/exercises on it to avoid it becoming a weakness in future.
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