Post crash advice

slideshow bob

Came off the bike on commute home last evening and took a fall after tipping a kerb at speed. Various contributing factors, but the biggest was body rushing homeward with mind wandering back to work. Kind following motorist minded me and my bike and got me to hospital. Well looked after at A&E in Galway Regional.

Couple of fractures, plenty of abrasions, stitching in various locations around the face. Legs only bruised and cut thankfully so walking ok. Not as bad as it could have been, nor many of the descriptions & pictures I've seen posted here in 410.

Initial recovery is main priority, and hopefully in a week or so that'll be well underway as the scrapes & bruises heal. But I believe I'll have the arm cast on for a while. Thankfully I'm in the best condition I've been in for years, and hopefully that'll lead to as swift a recovery as possible.

I've conceded my good looks will be some time returning but I'm interested in hearing of any experience of maintaining condition with an arm cast on? Particularly minimising weight gain and how to maintain aerobic fitness? I've been used to doing about 8-10hrs biking & running a week for more than a year.

nak

Sounds nasty enough. Had a big bandage on my arm and hand after surgery, wasn't allowed to get sweaty with stiches in, so just went for walks and some short easy one handed sessions on the turbo. Wasn't overly comfy on turbo, so just kept it to about 30 mins after stitches were removed. Don't normally run due to dodgy knees, but did some non technical trail runs until I was allowed back on the bike.

Ate slightly smaller portions for dinner and didn't put on any weight. Was off work for 6 weeks, so made sure I didn't have unhealthy snacks in the house.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

lennymc

ouch. get well soon! turbo trainer?

Max_Charger

There's a woman by the name of Chrissie Wellington who, in her day, was very good at the long swimming, cycling and running thing that doesn't like being mentioned here. Anyway, she too was came off her bike and broke her arm quite badly. If you google her, there's various articles of what she did and photos of her on a turbo with her arm resting on a pillow on the bars. If you fancy a good read, get her biography, it's excellent. Get well soon op.

DubVelo

Any time I've done myself in, all I've felt like doing is sleep all the time for weeks afterwards.
My attitude was to let the body do what it wants and let it put the energy into healing. I might be wrong but I don't think your body loses condition that quickly. Your attitude may be different if you're training for events though.

The main thing is listen to your body. Also there's always walking.

There's no reason you should be suddenly putting on weight if you're eating right. Maybe cut down the portions a little bit if you were eating extra to fuel the exercise.

What exactly were the fractures?

Get well soon!

.ak

One thing I would say is not to eat less, a body with fractured bones requires MORE protein high calories to heal. You may want to confirm with your doctor. A stationary bike sounds key here, your blessed in the fact you didn't bust your knees!

slideshow bob

Big thanks for the suggestions - all very helpful and informative.

Fractures in wrist, and orbital bone under eye. Lost skin and some cushioning on palm of hand so cant hold anything in that hand and it might take awhile to come good.

So might try stationary bike when stitches are out, and move to turbo as hand & wrist heal. I heard from a Dr friend today indoor rowing might be a good option post wrist fracture - I'll report findings back when I get to try it out.

Beasty

Are they going to operate on the orbital fracture? (they did on mine over 2 weeks after my recent accident, although there were a probably another 5 or so breaks in the cheek (and one in the jaw) they also had to deal with

All I can suggest is the turbo (which I did up to 3 hour sessions on after my wrist break a few years ago), but you should really get the OK from the medics before doing so

In terms of your wrist, do you know which bone is broken (and where)? Again last time mine was quite straightforward (ulnar head fracture from recollection) - the one I currently have (distal radius) is far from and it was only once I got the cast removed a few weeks ago that I started to appreciate just how much damage had been done - there is no way I could go on a rowing machine and it's 9 weeks since my accident - can't even remove a plastic seal from a milk carton at present with the wrist break hand (unopened jamjars are a complete no-no for me at present)

monkeyslayer

currently on the upside of pretty bad crash myself and back on the bike a little bit the past couple of weeks... my advice is to rest for a while, you'll use a lot of energy just healing, eat loads of food, the fitness will come back pretty quick, i went on loads of short walks to get out of the house, didn't mind putting on a bit of weight, I've been too skinny from cycling for years anyway! best of luck with the recovery anyhows whatever you decide to do

slideshow bob

Beasty wrote: »

Are they going to operate on the orbital fracture?

It seems very minor at this point , but I'm due max- facial review in couple of weeks and expect all clear (or otherwise) then.

Beasty wrote: »

do you know which bone is broken (and where)?

No, I'm sure i was told, but I didn't retain the detail. I'm at orthopaedic review late this week and will find out more then.

But really, I again am reminded by these posts how fortunate I am it isn't a whole lot worse. I'm not in a particular rush back to training, but it's incredibly helpful to understand the experience of others and anticipate a staged return to cycling and exercise.

Meanwhile I get to enjoy the comfortable embrace of my family and count my many blessings too easily overlooked. Must do that more often (without the crash ).

eeeee

Gosh sounds nasty, best of good luck with healing and recovery.

On exercise, I had a series of injuries from october to February this year that mainly kept me off the bike. With the shoulder, I found just walking in the pool helped keep muscles going. Resistance was good and you can attempt to run as the pain recedes. Getting into and out of the swimsuit took some doing but it can be done with one arm! If you are in a cast, maybe put a bag over it to keep it dry, or just keep it raised?

I did too much too soon and ended up in a worse state than I had to be in thinking I was grand when I wasn't so mind yourself, let your body heal and rest first and foremost.

Allabaah

slideshow bob wrote: »

It seems very minor at this point , but I'm due max- facial review in couple of weeks and expect all clear (or otherwise) then.


No, I'm sure i was told, but I didn't retain the detail. I'm at orthopaedic review late this week and will find out more then.

But really, I again am reminded by these posts how fortunate I am it isn't a whole lot worse. I'm not in a particular rush back to training, but it's incredibly helpful to understand the experience of others and anticipate a staged return to cycling and exercise.

Meanwhile I get to enjoy the comfortable embrace of my family and count my many blessings too easily overlooked. Must do that more often (without the crash ).

Had a crash myself almost 6 weeks ago (won't go into details as still bullin' over it and I'm carry the wounds due to the stupidity of others) but only confirmed (didn't go for xray immediately) 3 weeks ago that I had a broken radius, up near the elbow. Its healing nicely but referred pain in my wrist is a killer on the bike from the vibrations. Hence I resorted to a turbo trainer 2 weeks ago as noticed my weight creeping up and cracking up seeing the lads out and about.

So in my case it was 4 weeks rest and then on the turbo to get the legs spinning again and keep the exercise going in pace with the appetite. Looking to get back on the road with some trepidation next week!!

Good luck with the orthopaedic review.

slideshow bob

Recovery has been going well. Pretty much most days after the crash I was able to get out for a good walk, each day getting better as the grazing became less sensitive.

The wrist fracture is to the triquetrum. At the fracture clinic the cast was replaced by a splint, dressings to the arm and hand were changed and the stitches removed. Subsequent investigations concluded the orbital wasn't in fact fractured.

About 10 days after the crash I was cleared to try the gym and figure out what exercises I could manage. I could use the treadmill, an upright cycling machine and, with some care, the ergo/rowing machine. I was surprised at the latter because I couldn't turn on a tap with that hand. I couldn't use a spinning bike as I could put no weight on the damaged arm without triggering an exquisitely sharp pain.

A few days later I was able to drive and about the same time the dressings came off for good. At this point I could run reasonably freely, improving as the skin healed. I managed a very light swim at the weekend, but was restricted to one arm :eek:.

I tried the bike a few days ago and concluded I need to leave it a fair bit longer to be safe. I have the green eyes of jealousy on for every cyclist that goes by.

So until the wrist is good enough for the bike I'll run a bit and enjoy the pleasure of being being able to dress myself and wash my own hands!

Bloggsie

honestly I wouldnt worry about an extra few pounds untill your back in harness, as you will shed then quick enough. most importantly get yourself healthy again, as per the others listen to your self dont rush back as you'll be in a heap if you do to much to soon. nothing wrong with feet up on the sofa for a wee while.
best of luck getting okay again.

lennymc

slideshow bob wrote: »

I tried the bike a few days ago and concluded I need to leave it a fair bit longer to be safe. I have the green eyes of jealousy on for every cyclist that goes by.

at least you haven't lost your love of cycling!! Getting back on the bike asap after a crash is (IMHO) one of the most important things. Sounds like it won't be too long now.

slideshow bob

Bloggsie wrote: »

nothing wrong with feet up on the sofa for a wee while

I hope you don't mean like this...:D

padjo5

Speedy recovery SSB, never nice to hear fellow cyclists suffer injuries such as these. As already suggested, perhaps a bit of chill time to allow body focus on repairing itself, doing a bit of research and putting a recovery plan in place. Whatever you do, hope yer back on the bike with relative ease.