From the Trail to the Trauma: My Journey Through Injury and Recovery
We're excited to share a firsthand account from Claudia, our incredible clinic admin, about her journey recovering from a serious ankle injury she sustained in 2023. Going through an injury like this is never easy, and Claudia worked incredibly hard to get to where she is today. We hope you find her story inspiring!
It all started on a mountain in Quebec. I was beyond excited to hike Chute à Bull—nature always energizes me. About a kilometre into the hike, adrenaline took over. I left my boyfriend and our dog behind, running ahead in anticipation of finding the waterfall. That’s when it happened.
SNAP. A noise that echoed throughout the forest I will never forget.
Suddenly, I was on the ground, covered in mud, drenched in a cold sweat. My leg felt... wrong. I looked down and saw my foot twisted in a way it absolutely shouldn’t be. Panic rushed in. My ankle was already the size of an orange and turning an alarming shade of purple. I kicked off my shoe, grabbed my phone and texted Hayley and Orsi, desperate for opinions. The consensus was quick: hospital—immediately. That’s how I found myself on my first-ever ATV ride, not exactly the scenic tour I imagined. I sat on the seat, legs awkwardly propped on the wheel while an older gentleman navigated the rocky trail back. Every bump sent a jolt through my body.
I will never complain about Ontario emergency rooms again. The Quebec hospital was a lesson in patience—and pain. Eight hours to get an X-ray. Two more for a cast. Twelve hours to see a surgeon. And another twelve before surgery. I was told I had a trimalleolar fracture, dislocation and a syndesmosis tear (with the potential of other ligaments being injured)—an injury more common in football players and serious car crashes according to my surgeon.
The surgery floor was like a live-action horror game. As they rolled me in, I passed blood-covered rooms and even a woman in a hazmat suit cleaning a massive knife. I was terrified. I woke up with new accessories- 28 staples, one plate, five screws, and two tightropes holding my ankle together. And the pain? If pre-surgery was a 5/10, post-op was a full-blown 12/10. Sitting, standing, lying down—it all hurt. The meds made me nauseous. I was in a dark place physically and mentally.
The surgeon initially recommended 12 weeks of non weight-bearing. After consulting with another surgeon here in Toronto, Orsi, my physiotherapist, had other plans—thankfully. At six weeks, she carefully introduced weight-bearing exercises. She was a GEM. She picked me up from home, offered access to all her clinic’s equipment, and gave me the push I needed when I felt like giving up. Shout out to Hayley too—always checking in and reminding me to elevate my leg at work.
Physio started slow—mostly soft tissue work and the dreaded ABCs with my toes. Can’t forget toe yoga! But as soon as I was cleared to start loading my foot, Orsi did not go easy on me. Calf raises became my life: seated, box assisted, standing, single-leg, negatives... SO. MANY. CALF. RAISES. Then came lunges, squats, balance drills—it was painful, but progress was happening rapidly.
Just when things were finally turning around, I got into a car accident. Another setback. But after the inflammation went down, we picked up right where we left off. I became religious about my home exercises—an hour every night, no exceptions. By four months post-op, I was able to do some weighted squats and lunges. Still, the stiffness lingered. That’s when Orsi introduced acupuncture and dry needling. Game. Changer. Needles in my ankle, calf, even around my knee—it was like flipping a switch. The pain and stiffness melted away.
Now, 1.5 years later, I’m about 90% recovered. I can fit into shoes again, run, jump, walk long distances, skip, lunge—you name it. I’ll never take walking for granted again. I’m proud to share that this June, I completed my first 5K charity run/walk since my injury. Grateful for every step — and for everyone who’s walked (or run!) alongside me in any way.
Claudia and Carl, our Chiropractor
Injuries suck. Injuries that steal your mobility suck even more. Physio saved me. I truly don’t think I’d be here—physically or mentally—without it. I cannot recommend physiotherapy enough post injury.
Huge shout out to Orsi for her perseverance, assistance and knowledge! Thank you for not giving up on me.
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