It’s been just over three months since Hollie Doyle broke both bones in her lower leg at Bath. Doyle’s mount, Vault Of Heaven, went wrong in a 5½f handicap causing her to heavily hit the ground. However, in typically tough fashion, Doyle has provided a positive update regarding her recovery.
Despite what was initially described as just a ‘leg injury,’ the 29-year-old endured a complex pilon fracture. Only now has Doyle been able to ramp up her mobile recovery, as she told the Racing Post: “It’s a complex fracture to deal with, but thankfully the consultant was happy with how it was looking. I’ve had the green light to crack on with a bit more intense physio and stuff like that. I’ve got to work hard to get my condition and movement back in my leg and that’s what I’m doing now.
“It’s probably become a bit more frustrating over the past few weeks because I’ve become more mobile. I can get around and almost walk without crutches. So I’ve come a long way in a short space of time. But it could be worse and I’m on track to where they think I should be at this stage. Which is really good.
Doyle wants to be ‘110 per cent’ before racecourse return
It’s been a frustrating time for Doyle, who’s had to miss the big summer festivals of late. Though she is hopeful of a return to action this year, it’s evident she still has some way to go. “I’ve still got a pretty bad limp,” continued Doyle.
“So I’m trying to get my pattern of walking back to normal. Hopefully I can start to use anti-gravity treadmills and equipment like that to help. I’ve still got a long way to go. But I can crack on with my rehab and strengthen the leg as a whole.
“I managed to get on the simulator last week and, bearing in mind the week before I couldn’t even put my foot in the stirrup, that was a big hurdle. Small things are big gains at this stage. That was a huge milestone in the recovery for me.
“I’m allowed to fully weight-bear, and I think it’s going as well as it could be. I’m taking each appointment with the specialists as they come and I have to trust the process. But there’s no definitive time frame. I’d like to be back before the end of the year, but I want to be 110 percent.”