pressure on shins when skiing having broken a leg

Question
hi, i got kicked by a horse 2 years ago which resulted in a spiral fracture of my left Tib and Fib.  i haven't skiied for 2 years (moderate, fun skier, nothing serious) and its come to going on holiday again so i tried my skis on, they rubbed my ankle where the plate sticks out so i got our ski shop to remold them and they fit lovely now, but when i lean forward in the skiing stance, the pressure on my shin where the plate and break is, is too much for me.  Not sure i can ever ski again, can i put huge padding inside the boot?  Should i learn to board, is there more ankle control rather than shins in boarding?  I may look at having the pins and plates taken out but that's a little excessive and not a resultion for my holiday in 6 weeks time. Any suggestions, i can't no go skiing (Liz, UK)

thanks

Answer
hi and thanks for the question;

with only 6 weeks you will have to resort to equipment changes rather than physical ones.

Padding may help, but i think the pressure will be the plate against the bone and that is going to hurt. You dont say how high up the shin the plate sits - will it be above the bootline?

Snowboarding may be less pressure on that area - but i cant guarentee it - and if i were you i would be strapping the area especially above and below as you will increase the risk of breaking your leg either side of the plate [the old break will be well protected by the plate].

to steer in snowboarding you lift your toes and heels up as well as make smaller adjustments in your body position - so there is less force in the eareas you having trouble with.  Unfortunately i think its going to be trial error and pain killers to get through your ski holiday.

Your best bet will be to ski in small spurts, in a cruisy fashion. At worse, a full day out there will probably cripple you for the rest of the week.

As for having the pin/plate removed, it is probably an option - or see if they have a better designed plate they could insert if it is going to be in there for life. But as you say, it is a radical option and it carries risks that need to be weighed up before deciding again to have surgery.

Goodluck, and id be interested to know how you go.

thanks
lisa