The US TV star suffered for five weeks with a torn shoulder muscle, confessing that it hurt so much at times that she couldn't open doors without help.
© Ken McKay/Rex Features
Speaking to the tabloid press following her exit from the ITV1 reality show, she added: "Had it gone on anymore I think I could have injured my shoulder more. It's had no chance to heal.
"I've been skating through the pain. Matthew Gonzalez has been great. At the end of the day he said, 'Staying in another week, is it worth being on the operating table?'"
Tilton said that the biggest benefit of taking part in the series had been the changes to her figure, joking that couldn't recognise her body in the mirror anymore.
"I was at the gym the other day for the first time and there was a mirror and I was naked and I glanced in the mirror and I was like, 'Whose is that back?'" she said.
Dancing on Ice continues on Sundays on ITV1.
> Charlene Tilton voted off Dancing on Ice
> Dancing on Ice week five - In pictures
