Cleared to ride....

Anacondadontwantnone

Anacondadontwantnone

Member
Ive been away. I'm recovering from a crash injury that was expected to take 18 months to recovery. I'd broken the ball of my humerus in 3 pieces and lodged them in my chest. The resulting damage paralyzed my hand.

After continuous therapy of 3 times a week, plus home exercises, my range of motion is now back to 80%. My hand can almost close to a fist, with great effort. If I reach inside my pocket, it feels like a million needles are poking my fingers. My grip is weak, about 5 pounds of pressure compared to 110 for my good hand. My wrist is also not very strong.

But I've been cleared to ride. I am trying to get the motivation going to get back to riding. There are some apprehensions. I don't know what my shoulder will do when I hit a bump. If my wrist will give in, as it still folds over itself with some of the PT exercises. My physical strength is down too. I experienced quite a bit of muscle atrophy. But I am going to ride. Will post here as soon as I do.
 
Motivation!
Fire road and a wrist brace might be the order of the day. Go out and get'em!
Looking forward to reading your ride posting.
 
I wish you the best in your recovery. I can empathize with what you are feeling having just been cleared to begin normal activities. I've just started short periods on flat dirt roads, listening closely to my body and taking it slow and easy while working my way back. It is a long row to hoe for sure. Good luck.
 
Anacondadontwantnone (Bing),
This sounds like far more than a bicycle crash Ana, may I call you Ana? ha hah!
Stay inspired, I struggle with that.
Instead of one big crash-a-roo, it's been little crashes or physical injuries yearly to knock me down, just to half to overcome . . . again.

But my thoughts and vibes and all things Mountain Bikers say to each other are with you, on top of which, I will pray for a speedy(er) recovery so we can go ride together like we promised each other so long ago!
Take very good care and make good long term decisions so you have years of riding ahead of you!

Mikie
 
Anacondadontwantnone said:
After continuous therapy of 3 times a week, plus home exercises, my range of motion is now back to 80%. My hand can almost close to a fist, with great effort. If I reach inside my pocket, it feels like a million needles are poking my fingers. My grip is weak, about 5 pounds of pressure compared to 110 for my good hand. My wrist is also not very strong.

But I've been cleared to ride.
Click to expand...
Sorry to sound like a buzzkill, but I wouldn't clear myself to ride like that. I had to take at least 1 month off for a hand injury from weight lifting and then some limited biking due to a bad rotator cuff tendonitis injury.

Those symptoms you're describing are not ok sounding to me to ride a street bike, let alone a mountain bike. What if you lose your grip on the handlebar? Am I the only one concerned here??? Hope you're feeling better...
 
doublewide said:
Welcome back Bingo! Sorry to hear bout your crash, what happened?

It does sound like you're on your way back just keep positive and keep working hard, you'll be back to shredding status in no time! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Thanks folks!

My Xray

image_1.jpe

Getting monitored by the ER folks
image_2.jpe

While recovering, I had these computer controlled balloons on most of my limbs to distribute blood flow.

image_3.jpe
 
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F--k dude, that's medieval! So sorry to hear about this. You have had more than your share of mtb injuries. Did this one happen at SS, as J suggested?

PS: My spare Giro Xen helmet still has Bing sweat in it! Ewwww...
 
I've literally been through hell and back in the last 5 months. Morphine, Dualidid, Percocet, Vicodin, various steriod therapies, nerve blockers, I went through them all. If I didnt ride armored like a Storm Trooper from Star Wars, I don't think I'd be typing this right now.

Am I sorry? I regret not brake checking in that last split second before I took that lip. I'm not wreckless, but I do try to keep pushing my own limits.

Snow Summit was kind enough to bring me down the park via 4x4. The cute girl driving the truck gave me an O2 tank to huff on the way down. At the park infirmary, they cut me out of my gear and wiped me clean. They can only give you first aid there. They can't even give you an Advil. I had plowed my full face helmet into the dirt and was unrecognizable. They did clean me up. Mr. Bike Park Biking Patrol guy, thank you.

Waiting on AAA to tow me home, I'd driven up the mountain alone that day, I hung out with Mike and Ruben from STR at the park parking lot. I was popping Vicodins shooting the Sh!t with the boys. Got home went to sleep. Woke up the next day and went straight to my Orthopedist. On sight, he pronounced me in critical condition and wheeled me straight into an OR. I'm still happy to have went home first. At least my doc was the one that cut into me. Take my advice, do not use the Urgent Care Facilty in Big Bear. Use the local ER if you have to. Dont go to the Urgent Care Clinic. They let me walk outta there with 30 pills of hyrdrocodone, a sling and nothing else.

I've found my limit. I'll keep to it. And I will ride again.
 
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Wow - speechless... That's a horrendous experience. Where exactly did you crash (what trail, what feature)? What happened? You said you were already padded like a stormtrooper?
 
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