G'day,

I had a high grade tear of the peroneus brevis tendon in my left ankle. Lots of pain and swelling and lack of stability. It stopped me doing lots of things like skateboarding, kicking a footy and even driving a manual - was even stopping me playing pool, because at the end of the day I was that sore all I wanted to do was put my feet up. I did it surfing... and for a long while I thought it was a very bad sprain and was just going to take time to heal but months on it just seemed to be getting worse... I found out after seeing the surgeon that these types of injuries do not heal by themselves and nearly always require surgery.

18wks after surgery I am still in pain each day - having said that, I'm now back at the gym (bike and walking treadmill) and had my first surf on the weekend. Dr says it was a very bad tear (5cm along the length of the tendon - kind of split it in two halves) and it would take at least 6 months to heal post surgery. It's been 4.5 months so far and I feel it's going to be another 3 months at least.

I did plenty of swimming as soon as the plaster was off... not much else you can do. Don't whatever you do try to get ahead of the healing process - one slip or stumble and you'll undo all the surgeon's hard work and will be looking at another op...

Good luck!

I am basing the operation on statistics - as my injury is not a full blown tear I have the option of no operation and risking/living with it and working my way around its limitations and still playing sport. Aparently there is a 30% chance of reinjuring the ACL again if I make this choice and hence needing surgery if this occurs. If I have the operation it means I have a 5% chance of doing the same injury again. Having said that statistics show I have a 10% chance of doing my ACL in my good - non injured knee.

Considering the extreme twisting possible while crashing in the footstraps, (and I'm sure many doctors and surgeons don't realise what we really do on a windsurf board) I would never chance it or try and live with it.

After doing an ankle bad (3 ligaments and broken bone) and shoulder (partial dislocation and smashed up bursa) I am of the opinion that in addition to the obvious surgery and physio, glucosamine, fish oil and tons of protein really helps in rebuilding. Load up on those

Had a complete knee recon a few year back in Perth. Great surgeon and walked out of hospital the next day (albeit a little ginger). Back sailing, hockey, running - can't tell which is the bad knee apart from a small scar. A bit too scarred to try any wild jumps but that may be an age thing as well as an injury thing.

get the surgery now to make the next number of years pain free.
Keith Holt did a recon on my knee that included 3 ligaments and a tendon.
He did a farkn awesome job and his anaesthetist was amazing. Every doctor i've spoken to says that hes the best in town.
If you want any more advice PM me.

Did my acl about ten years ago. Had the hamstring reconstruction, very painful but definitely worth the pain. Couldnt windsurf for a year, lots and lots of gym work and swimming, walking in the water to get my leg back to normal. But since that year of hard work I am windsurfing as normal whenever there is wind and spend my winters skiing - not a problem. Really glad I had the op, if I hadnt I wouldnt be doing much right now.