Anyone have an suggestions?

[MAZIN]

Long story short I broke both arms last friday at berthoud. I fractured my right elbow just off center of the cup and I broke my left humorus bone in two places leading into my shoulder. Went to the doc Monday and if I can make it the next 3 weeks without mu humorus seperating I wont haveto have sugery. He has also put me on exercises for my right elbow to get some mobility back. All in all im doing ok but he said that he has no idea what kind of mobility I will get back in my arms and if I will ride anything again. Im having a huge issue with that one since I love riding. In any case im seeking my wifes and my bikes and gear to cover some expenses since I will be out of work for a while. Anyone here deal with the same or similar injuries and have any advice?

[salsashark]

My dad had his first hip replacement around 6 years ago. Then they had to replace the replacement due to a medical recall. The second surgery caused permanent injuries that made him sell his motorcycle. He came to the conclusion that if it was in the garage, he'd try to get back on it. Without the bike there, he's forced to not think about it and work on rehab. It's been 2 years since the surgery and he's still upset about the decision. Every time he's gone to Erico with me, he drools all over the Triumph cruisers and he says that if he feels right enough down the road, he'll get another one.

But for now, he's concentrating on healing and getting all of his mobility and strength back.

Some of my earliest childhood memories are with my dad and his bike. From sitting in the front yard while he tinkered with it, to getting rides, to the infamous exhaust pipe leg burn that almost everyone had, he's always ridden. When we moved to Denver, my mom made him sell the bike and he hated it, but he did it... and then bitched about it for 15 years until mom finally relented and let him get another one. I guess what I'm getting at is that selling the bike wasn't his first choice, but in the end, it was the one that made since.

Do what you need to do to take care of yourself and your family. Eventually, if you feel up to it, get back on a bike. In the mean time, find another hobby that fills the time... other then rehab.

[Squisha]

Find a doctor that rides?

Seriously, I don't mean to make light of what's happened, but a doctor that doesn't ride is going to consider "normal" function to be the goal and endpoint of the healing process--not getting back on the bike. A rider who happens to be a doctor is going to have different priorities, more in line with yours with regard to riding.

That said, it sounds like it could be touch and go for a time. Take it easy, and do what the doctor says. I'm inclined to think the doctor is being cautious about the mobility outcome--so as long as you're doing your "homework" you'll have the best chance of passing.

Keep us posted about how things are going--I think many of us have been there!

[Sean]

That's hard to take. But also, remember that the Dr. is usually going to give you the worse case scenario. If they give you the worst news first, anything less than that is great news. Don't get down yet, you don't know the outcome. Make sure you do whatever the Dr. tells you with vigor (ie: exercises). Also, like Squisha said, you can always find another Dr. and see what they say. I broke my arm snowboarding two years ago and the ortho guy I saw was also an athlete/snowboarder/mtn biker....I don't know if I would have gotten the same treatment from someone who doesn't do that stuff.

Point being, you don't know anything for sure yet. Heal up!

[spdu4ia]

I snapped my left leg in half february last year in a mountain bike crash. 16" titanium rod and 6 screws later its in one piece. I HIGHLY recomend finding a Dr that rides or does some strenuous activity like mountain biking or something. My dr was a mtbr and definetly helped me get back to doing what I love quicker. Good luck on your recovery.

[~Barn~]

Good luck man. I had an open dislocation of my left elbow, that totally destroyed by brachial artery on its way out of my arm. A pretty serious accident to be sure.

After one surgery which included some patchwork veinswapping out of my leg, a 4 night stay in the hospital, and then a solid 6 months of PT after I had healed completely, and I was still able to do everything that I did before.

I was pretty blue about the whole situation while I was getting better, because I've always been an active guy (skiing, ju jitsu, baseball enthusiast, hack-golfer). But I found that the best therapy (outside of the actual therapy), is doing everything you can to try and keep things as normal as they used to be. Once you're in a good place, *try* to do the things you used to do. Even if it's not exactly the same as it used to be, it'll do wonders. So yeah... coming from a guy who essentially had use of just 1 arm for the better part of a year, it can get better. It won't happen on its own though. G'luck.

[dirkterrell]

Long story short I broke both arms last friday at berthoud.

Damn dude, you shouldn't be doing stuff like that. Don't worry about riding at this point. What you have to do is get healed up. As Sean said, do all of the physical therapy they tell you to do. Don't skip any of it. When I broke my collar bones, one thing my ortho doc told me to do was take extra calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D but, very important, also vitamin K2. The K2 helps your body make use of the calcium more effectively. And I agree with others that if you can see a sports injury specialist, you will probably be better off. They see these kinds of injuries all the time and know how to heal you up so you can get back out there.

On the mental side of things, stay positive. If you want to, you absolutely will ride again. Get the physical part healed up and don't let what-ifs injure your psyche.

[spdu4ia]

The mental part was the biggest struggle for me. other than getting up stairs. try and stay positive and busy so you don't get down.

[Sean]

Damn, Barn, that's gross. Way to ruin my breakfast...

[asp_125]

I would agree with the others about consulting an orthopedic surgeon who treats athletes. After the operation on my left ankle back in 09, I consulted with an orthopedic surgeon in Boulder who works with runners and triathletes to see what could be done to get me back on the bike.

I selected a PT who had experience working with cyclists and skiers and specifically ankle injuries. 6mo later I was back riding.

[~Barn~]

Damn, Barn, that's gross. Way to ruin my breakfast...

Sorry meng. There's always Second Breakfast.

[Sean]

Mazin, also keep in mind the other people that have messed up their bodies and are still riding. Turpin broke both of his legs on a motocross jump and was road racing a few months later. Clarkie and Bob had accidents worse than anyone wants to go through, and they are both still riding and in good shape. Tons of MRA and ADV people have had similar accidents and are doing alright.

Sorry meng. There's always Second Breakfast.

It's already 8:00am, that was my second breakfast.

[rybo]

Dave,

I'm terribly sorry to hear of your injury.

I agree with the advice above. DO THE PYHSICAL THERAPY. All of it - don't miss a minute, an exercise or anything.

When I broke my elbow at PPIR a few years back my physical therapist released me from treatment almost a month early. I would go for follow up appointments and he would be impressed with the speed of my recovery. Then he asked "are you doing your exercises?" and I would respond "yes, all of them".

He said that 99.9% of people don't, which is why they schedule PT for as long as they do.

If there is anything I can do for you please let me know - you have my number.

Scott

[Aracheon]

Damn, Barn, that's gross. Way to ruin my breakfast...

No kidding. Yeesh.

Dave,

I'm terribly sorry to hear of your injury.

I agree with the advice above. DO THE PYHSICAL THERAPY. All of it - don't miss a minute, an exercise or anything.

When I broke my elbow at PPIR a few years back my physical therapist released me from treatment almost a month early. I would go for follow up appointments and he would be impressed with the speed of my recovery. Then he asked "are you doing your exercises?" and I would respond "yes, all of them".

He said that 99.9% of people don't, which is why they schedule PT for as long as they do.

If there is anything I can do for you please let me know - you have my number.

Scott

PT is IMPORTANT.

[MAZIN]

Thx guys I have a ortho that's in ports med and from the min hhe took of all the junk on my right arm I've been working on it and can now almost straighten it to about 75% and curl it to about 60%. My left just needs to stay motionless until the 3-4 week mark so I can avoid surgery. Im not at all affraid of the pain or doing the pt just kinda blue at the possabiltys of the worse case senero. Dirk thx for the vitamin advice I will get stocked on those. And thx everyone. I really hate selling the bikes but I know myself and the mm I can I will try to ride also seeing them in the garage will drive me crazy. The biggest factor for selling is just covering the bills while om out of work. Again thx again guys! !!!!

[Devaclis]

After snowboarding for almost 20 years I had an accident and broke my back in 2007. They gave me no PT. Just a TON of viccoden scripts and a jewit brace. The brace totally ruined my posture and I am now 1.5 inches shorter. The pain sucked, sure. But pain is not really a biggie. What sucked the most is the fact that I lost all desire to board again. I can't even watch it on TV. I have a lot of latent issues with my back including pain and rediced mobility. The excersies I have done on my own, with no direction from a doctor has helped a little but damn they really just did not give me any options along that route. "Here's your drugs, stay off your feet".

I hope this does not diminish your desire to ride. Riding is a MAJOR part of my life. I would hate to not want to, or be able to do it any more.

[CYCLE_MONKEY]

Sorry meng. There's always Second Breakfast.

Hey, Barn went easy on you.....he could have included his FACE in the pic!

[CYCLE_MONKEY]

Get a BETTER Dr. Riding IS normal function. I know I'd never give it up unless I decided I couldn't ride anymore (pain, mobility, vision issues etc.), which, I can;t see happening.

Sorry to hear of your injuries, and I hope you heal up fully and fast!

Also, for a guy with 2 broken and immobile arms, you sure type pretty damn well with your dick!

[MAZIN]

Get a BETTER Dr. Riding IS normal function. I know I'd never give it up unless I decided I couldn't ride anymore (pain, mobility, vision issues etc.), which, I can;t see happening.

Sorry to hear of your injuries, and I hope you heal up fully and fast!

Also, for a guy with 2 broken and immobile arms, you sure type pretty damn well with your dick!

Lmao its all in the thumbs. And the phones auto correct

[puckstr]

Damn Dude, so sorry to hear you are busted up. Best wishes to you and a speedy recovery.

How did you do this? Were you practicing to jump Snake river?

I have broken my right heel and back in three places. It was painfull but I healed quickly (I was 18 then). I can't imagine what you are going through. Hang in there.

[Bashed]

They will have to pry the handlebars out of my dead,dying hands to get me to stop riding. I'm up to 32 broken bones and permanent irreverable damage thats gets worse every year. I am considered a ringer @ the TSA line @ the airport, due to all the hardware, and wouldn't have it any other way. I dual sported my way into back country Mexico last year by myself, and had the best ride of my life to date. They only get better as the time dwindles.
My 2 cents.

[MAZIN]

Damn Dude, so sorry to hear you are busted up. Best wishes to you and a speedy recovery.

How did you do this? Were you practicing to jump Snake river?

I have broken my right heel and back in three places. It was painfull but I healed quickly (I was 18 then). I can't imagine what you are going through. Hang in there.

I wish it was that cool of a wreck but in all honesty it was super lame. Practicing the back half of the berthoud track for a team hare scramble in sept. Came into a left graded turn to hot and my front brakes are touchy anyway but the best I can think is they locked up and loose dirt made the front tire wash out. I didn't even go over just supermaned the ground on my face and left elbow. I don't have any clue how I fractured my right elbow or got this hanois bruise ( ill post pic in a lil bit) on my left bi cept.

[bornwildnfree]

My little bro has broken every bone in his body at least once on a motorcycle and he still rides. You will be back in no time.