Sterling Griffin's Injury

[whiskeyboarder]

Although I follow pretty closely, I wasn't aware until browsing another thread the extent of Sterling Griffin's injury. Apparently, he fractured his fibula and dislocated his ankle. I am unsure of how his injury is being repaired, but because I suffered something similar recently, I may be able to shed some light on the expected recovery.

I fractured my fibula, although mine broke just below the knee and Griffin's injury I saw described as occurring in the lower fibula, and I also simultaneously broke my ankle. I am a bit of fitness freak myself, and the good news is that I can attest that an individual can recovery fully from this injury. As it stands now, I have zero residual effects from the injury, run fairly long distances nearly daily, squat three times a week as part of a workout routine, and deadlift often as well.

My injury required surgery which I underwent on Christmas Eve of 2009, which I note so that I can explain a time table for recovery. I had Open Reduction, Internal Fixation surgery and had a rod inserted along the fibula and a pin placed in the ankle. Upon recovery, the pin in the ankle was removed. The rod is permanent but when the fibula recovers, it loses its purpose. In other words, it is not needed for structural integrity, and shouldn't hinder Griffin's performance or stability down the road; if, indeed, he even required such surgery which I am under the impression he may not have. If not, then the period needed for recovery is even shorter than I needed.

Time table: following my surgery, I was unable to bear weight until around the end of January - so a little over a month's time. At that point, I began to gingerly exert weight on the leg while in an air cast. By the end of February, I was running with a bit of a limp. I can say that by April, I was running full speed, to include sprints and jumping, and was confident enough on it to complete an Army Physical Fitness Test, which includes a two mile run. By the beginning of April, I was at about 85%. And definitely no later than June, I was 100% and working out without limitation.

Mind you, my entire recovery was guided by the VA Hospital and, while I received great care, I can presume that an athlete's would be of even higher quality. Moreover, given the support he has around him, the assistance may speed his time of recovery.

So, from my experience with a similar injury, Griffin should be good to go in no longer than six months time and should have been able to train at a fairly high capacity for a few months before that. I am unsure of the exact date he suffered his injury, at the moment, but you may be able to use these dates to project Griffin's return.

I hope this helps. Again, I am unsure exactly how similar our injuries were, but I thought my positive experience may help put some minds at ease.

For some additional fun, here is what the injury looks like when not treated immediately :

Thanks for reading. Edited to add: further reading reveals that Griffin's fibula was broken near the ankle and doesn't sound necessarily as severe as an upper fibula fracture. So that's more good news...

[FutureUSFstudent]

Thanks Whiskey for the update that was very informative!

[Guest nybullsfan]

Sounds like you're back to 100%, good news.

Thanks for the info, and for your service.

[whiskeyboarder]

Thanks.

And, yeah, I am good to go.  Here's to hoping that our WR's recovery is as quick and full as mine.  Given his physical condition, I have to imagine that he will be even more prepared for a quick recovery.  I think my injury may have been a bit more severe and if I could come back from it my point was to assure everyone that Griffin definitely could too.

Thanks again. 

[DELdaBull]

Hopefully Griff can be 100% in 3 or 4 months (Sept or Oct).

[LunchTimeBully]

Good read.

[theman123]

****!  Those pictures look painful.