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Stupid ankles...

W

Whoops

Turbo Monkey
Jul 9, 2006
1,011
0
New Zealand


Weber C, severed 2 tendons.

Bike is fine... summer is ruined.


Boo for tree roots (and improper speed/skill ratio).
:think:



Big thanks to the emergency crew and my brothers who helped me out of the forest. Kind of embarrassing to be at the centre of such a fuss (but the drugs were good).
 
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RUFUS

RUFUS

e-douche of the year
Dec 1, 2006
3,480
1
Denver, CO
Triple jointed ankles are your best friend.

Sucks man, here's to a quick recovery.
 
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P.T.W

P.T.W

Monkey
May 6, 2007
599
0
christchurch nz
Sucky timing dude...right before nationals season :mad:

Hope you heal fast fella....Or you could glue a old 5ten sole to your cast????;)
 
W

Whoops

Turbo Monkey
Jul 9, 2006
1,011
0
New Zealand
Cheers, but I get the feeling 'quick recovery' isn't likely with this injury. Am seeing ortho's on Thursday for an inspection and some more education as to prospects.

My tap dancing career is probably ruined as well... bummer.


Anyone out there in Monkey-land had similar injuries? Love to know recovery tips/pitfalls and what to expect.
 
lovebunny

lovebunny

can i lick your balls?
Dec 14, 2003
7,310
209
San Diego, California, United States
Whoops said:
Cheers, but I get the feeling 'quick recovery' isn't likely with this injury. Am seeing ortho's on Thursday for an inspection and some more education as to prospects.

My tap dancing career is probably ruined as well... bummer.


Anyone out there in Monkey-land had similar injuries? Love to know recovery tips/pitfalls and what to expect.
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im 2 months into my recovery from a snapped femur and collarbone. i got another 8 to 10 months before i can even think about riding again. they put a ti rod inside my femur from my knee to my hip. right now i am going to pt and doing exercises to regain movement. i definately reccomend getting a hobby while you are at home because you will be bored out of your mind. something that takes up time, like for instance i started making beer. good luck with your recovery!:thumb:
 
W

Whoops

Turbo Monkey
Jul 9, 2006
1,011
0
New Zealand
Ouch - that's pretty extreme. Best wishes for your recuperation, Thanks for the hobby tip - a great excuse to buy that RC car I've always wanted.

Any other ankle injury recovery stories out there?
 
B

basikbiker

Monkey
Jun 15, 2006
619
0
Northern Cali
ahh broken ankles suck major balls, i broke mine a little while back, flew out of a berm at my house and smashed my ankle, snapped the fibula a few inches up from my ankle, no surgery, and i get my cast off next week finally, so far a month in a cast sucks, find a hobby, r/c cars are fun, i used to fly r/c gas planes and been buildin up a biplane thats pretty much ready to fly. gonna have to do a grip of rehab to get my muscles back, i had to get three casts due to muscle loss. Hope you feel better man.
 
Demomonkey

Demomonkey

Monkey
Apr 27, 2005
857
0
Auckland New Zealand
Dude, Lovebunny got Ti!!! Those cheap lousy bastards only gave you stainless. I suggest an upgrade is in order.

I respectfully suggest making your own whiskey will be far more satisfying than beer.

I'll bring my xbox over this weekend with your bikes and gear. Virtual violence is a great way to forget your problems.

ST
 
W

Whoops

Turbo Monkey
Jul 9, 2006
1,011
0
New Zealand
(and yes, I know Ti is cooler... but I'm going to push for a Carbon Fibre cast).

Ps; light hearted political jab at you yanks... our public health service rocks. So far this has cost me only NZ$47 including the ambulance, fire truck, emergency, operation etc etc... I've got health insurance, but the public system has covered everything for me. :-)
 
Spahman

Spahman

Monkey
Dec 13, 2006
502
0
Arlington
Whoops said:
(and yes, I know Ti is cooler... but I'm going to push for a Carbon Fibre cast).

Ps; light hearted political jab at you yanks... our public health service rocks. So far this has cost me only NZ$47 including the ambulance, fire truck, emergency, operation etc etc... I've got health insurance, but the public system has covered everything for me. :-)
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i would be paying 2000$+ out of my pocket from the start here in the states :o
 
Demomonkey

Demomonkey

Monkey
Apr 27, 2005
857
0
Auckland New Zealand
Spahman said:
i would be paying 2000$+ out of my pocket from the start here in the states :o
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I forget how damn good we have it down here in NZ.

I cant remember any direct costs from both of my busted wrists. I'm sure there were some but SFA at the end of it.

Rest up Sam, it may be a bad injury now, but not something you wont get past in time.
 
gemini2k

gemini2k

Turbo Monkey
Jul 31, 2005
3,526
117
San Francisco
Whoops said:
(and yes, I know Ti is cooler... but I'm going to push for a Carbon Fibre cast).

Ps; light hearted political jab at you yanks... our public health service rocks. So far this has cost me only NZ$47 including the ambulance, fire truck, emergency, operation etc etc... I've got health insurance, but the public system has covered everything for me. :-)
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Ha ha, when I was in NZ I broke my wrist, and dislocated my shoulder while riding in the port hills (separate crashes). Never paid a dime for any of my hospital/doctors visits. I think my shoulder therapy was free too. I figure I owe any Kiwi who comes to Socal a free shuttle run. For some reason though they made me buy private insurance before I went there, weird. Must've been some student thing or something.
 
W

Whoops

Turbo Monkey
Jul 9, 2006
1,011
0
New Zealand
Rufus, stay safe eh?

Gemini2K, we let the new doctors practise on the tourists... hope they connected everything the right way.
 
W

Whoops

Turbo Monkey
Jul 9, 2006
1,011
0
New Zealand
minor update; visit to the ortho this morning for 10 day check up - all ok.... 32 staples removed, and new cast put on. Apparently I did a 'very good job' on my ankle. Nice to be proficient at something eh?

interestingly the dr commented that anti-inflamatory drugs are a bad thing for this injury, as it slows down the soft tissue recovery rate.

as a minimum am looking at 5 more weeks non-lead bearing, and then 3 months after that in a flexi moon boot. I wonder if I can get some 5-10 soles stuck on that?
 
nmpearson

nmpearson

Monkey
Dec 30, 2006
213
8
in september i had a rather stupid wreck after deciding to put my foot down during a berm(bad idea). not sure really what happened bc i don't have good insurance, but there was really dark bruising, tons of swelling, and i just couldn't move it for weeks and got addicted to pain killers. i'm fairly sure i tore some ligaments(i've done it before and it looked/felt the same), and atleast fractured in 2 places.

i used crutches then a cane, and was in a nice brace for a long time. after a month i started exercising again. i've been on the trainer for between 20-30 miles a day. i'm just starting to walk without pain now. still can't go for long though. foots/ankles are so hard to get back from. I actually did ride after a month, but i couldn't ever jump. it just hurt too badly even on my dh bike. good luck getting over it. it's rad that you have a good med system. Hopefully someday in the USA...
 
W

Whoops

Turbo Monkey
Jul 9, 2006
1,011
0
New Zealand
Dude, that's horrendous. Sounds like you need more healing vibes than I do - best of luck for a better result this time.
 
Demomonkey

Demomonkey

Monkey
Apr 27, 2005
857
0
Auckland New Zealand
Whoops, somewhat good news from the specialist then? Rob and I were concerned they were going to tell you it needed re-doing or something. I'd be wanting to hear "The Surgeon did a very good job on your ankle". Take it easy bro.
 
W

Whoops

Turbo Monkey
Jul 9, 2006
1,011
0
New Zealand
Gutted. Just been educating myself on ankle injuries at the Google school of medicine and found this which (despite being for a rugby player) pretty much describes my injury.. although I've the added fun of having severed the tendons that work toes and control the arch...;



It will be assumed that your tendon healing will occur meanwhile your fibular is healing. With a Weber C fracture, you've pretty much ruptured both major ligaments of the ankle (ATFL and deltoid ligament), virtually disrupting the syndesmosis and dislocating the ankle. This is a pretty serious injury.

If you're playing rugby, I'd assume that you're young and quite active. Usually, it takes about 4-6 weeks for a ligament to heal, although this is not guaranteed if there have been complete ruptures. Usually they have to be surgically attached to ensure the best chance of healing. Bone on the other hand, would take you 6-12 weeks to develop enough strength for you to moderately weight bear through, where you're looking for the bony parts to form what they call a soft callus to hold the bones together. In the meanwhile, you'll be pretty much non-weight bearing.

Thus, while you're waiting for your bone to heal, your ligament should heal over too. Unfortunately, you're at the mercy of your own natural healing with regards to bone and ligament, and you'll have to wait for the green light before you can start weight bearing in any matter. The best thing for you to do is try not to aggravate or refracture yourself doing anything rash. There's nothing really to accelerate healing except good nutrition.

The long term ramifications of non-weight bearing for so long is muscle wasting, especially of your gastrocnemius (calf), quadriceps, hamstrings and gluteal muscles. Not only is muscle wasting an issue, but ankle stiffness and swelling especially will be your main enemy once you begin your rehabilitation once you can start weightbearing and applying more pressure to your ankle. Expect yourself to be quite tender to weight bear once you're allowed to. This is normal, and if your bone is healed on X-Ray, don't be afraid of putting weight through your foot (within reason). Co-ordination, learning how to walk well and eventually run will follow with rehab.

At the moment, you'll be looking at about 4-6 weeks after you're allowed weight bearing before you can walk without your crutches, 2-3 months after weight bearing before you've got the strength to be walking 30 minutes a day, and 4-6 months after weight bearing before you're thinking of running again. Results vary, and I'll tell you, a good physio will improve your outcomes.

I can foresee that you may have issues with ankle stability considering the extent of your injury, although fingers crossed, your ligaments are healing along with your bone. Good luck, hope this helps.
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lovebunny

lovebunny

can i lick your balls?
Dec 14, 2003
7,310
209
San Diego, California, United States
Whoops said:
Gutted. Just been educating myself on ankle injuries at the Google school of medicine and found this which (despite being for a rugby player) pretty much describes my injury.. although I've the added fun of having severed the tendons that work toes and control the arch...;
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yeah i found out the other day that im not getting full range of movement back in my leg. i cant extend it all the way and im going to be a couple degrees short of closing it all the way. its some pretty gnarly news to get at 20 years old. but i cant tell you how good it feels to walk again. good luck with your recovery!:thumb:
 
W

Whoops

Turbo Monkey
Jul 9, 2006
1,011
0
New Zealand
Update...

Had the fibreglass cast removed this morning. Xray showed 'reasonable healing' according to the Dr and considering the scope of the injusry and bone loss.

Not quite as manky as I thought it'd be, but still plenty of dead skin and a very, very skinny calf.

6 weeks in a moon-boot now, with gradual weight bearing. Aiming to be walking by end of March.


Hooray.
 
W

Whoops

Turbo Monkey
Jul 9, 2006
1,011
0
New Zealand
Update again...

(nb; updates are for the next one of you fools who does this and wants something to compare progress against, not because I'm needing sympathy) :-)

Now been ~12 weeks since injury (27 Dec). Cast was removed 12 Feb (post above) and was in moon boot with crutches till last week (with occasional attempts to shuffle around unaided)... sort of hit my target of walking unaided by end of march - could manage <100m zombie stagger..

Dr's are happy with healing ('very good for someone my age' cheeky buggers) and now onto physio. Apparently there's some awesome bone spurs in there from previous injuries... so will have to deal with those at some point... but all now about trying to break down scar tissue, build up strength in muscles etc.

Have been cleared for "gentle riding"... whatever that means.
 
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H

happhazard

Chimp
Aug 30, 2005
49
0
Good to hear you're on the road to recovery. I thought I'd chime in, as I had a similar break back in 2005. I lost most of the cartilage in the accident, which has really prohibited complete healing, and created a kind of fused ankle(osteoarthritis). Which pretty much sucks. I can still ride and walk short distances with a limp, but running is out of the question. Riding is actually easier/ less painful than walking.

I finally was able to get on a group health insurance program through my wife this year, the first time I've been insured since the accident (had insurance at the time, fortunately, because it came out to be about 40k with a week spent in the hospital). The doctors are proposing to do this-

http://www.uihealthcare.com/depts/anklearthritis/patientinfo/jointdistraction.html

I'm pretty stoked, because I was thinking I would have to have the joint fused, which has some long term disadvantages. Going in for surgery in June hopefully.

Had a friend who had a tib/fib break, and he's healed up fine. Running, riding, etc. is no problem.

Hope you're back on the bike soon!
 
Demomonkey

Demomonkey

Monkey
Apr 27, 2005
857
0
Auckland New Zealand
Whoops said:
Update again...

(nb; updates are for the next one of you fools who does this and wants something to compare progress against, not because I'm needing sympathy) :-)

Now been ~12 weeks since injury (27 Dec). Cast was removed 12 Feb (post above) and was in moon boot with crutches till last week (with occasional attempts to shuffle around unaided)... sort of hit my target of walking unaided by end of march - could manage <100m zombie stagger..

Dr's are happy with healing ('very good for someone my age' cheeky buggers) and now onto physio. Apparently there's some awesome bone spurs in there from previous injuries... so will have to deal with those at some point... but all now about trying to break down scar tissue, build up strength in muscles etc.

Have been cleared for "gentle riding"... whatever that means.
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Great news mate. Let me know when you want a board walk cruise around the bays to enjoy the last of the summer.
 
W

Whoops

Turbo Monkey
Jul 9, 2006
1,011
0
New Zealand
happhazard said:
Good to hear you're on the road to recovery. I thought I'd chime in, as I had a similar break back in 2005. ... it came out to be about 40k with a week spent in the hospital...
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Faaaark. REALLY?

No wonder there's been such a stink over there with the pro/con Obama healthcare thing. That's a sh!t ton of money someone stands to gain/lose if things change/stay the same.
 
gemini2k

gemini2k

Turbo Monkey
Jul 31, 2005
3,526
117
San Francisco
Whoops said:
Apparently there's some awesome bone spurs in there from previous injuries... so will have to deal with those at some point...
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Just had some of those removed from my right big toe joint (damn being tall and basketball-related injuries!). Recovery was way faster and less pain than they said it would be. Just need to figure out when to get it done to my other foot. Maybe after I get arthroscopic done on my shoulder in 2 weeks? :P. Great year so far...Bout 7 months of recovery between 2 surgerys.

Oh ya, and between my 2 health insurance plans, I don't think I'm paying a dime between my 2 surgerys, GO AMERICA! :P
 
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Sandwich

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
21,076
5,989
borcester rhymes
Whoops said:
(and yes, I know Ti is cooler... but I'm going to push for a Carbon Fibre cast).

Ps; light hearted political jab at you yanks... our public health service rocks. So far this has cost me only NZ$47 including the ambulance, fire truck, emergency, operation etc etc... I've got health insurance, but the public system has covered everything for me. :-)
Click to expand...
:phone:communist! quit giving me logical reasons to give up muh freedumbs!

Whoops said:
Update again...


Have been cleared for "gentle riding"... whatever that means.
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Good to hear you're recovering. Sucks that you have to buy a hybrid bike. Anyways, if you can't ride, you can always take photos! Time to buy a video cam.
 
S.K.C.

S.K.C.

Turbo Monkey
Feb 28, 2005
4,096
25
Pa. / North Jersey
Jesus... Whoops - glad to hear you are doing better and on your way to recovery. How is the P/T going?

I broke 2 metacarpals my hand 3 and a half years ago and couldn't even hold a handlebar grip for 3 months. Waiting does suck, but P/T is like a breath of fresh air.

Get well and back on 2 wheels soon!

:)

P.S. - WHAT in the blue phuck did Love Bunny DO?! Ti rod in the femur? Broken Collar bone? Did he try to tackle a bus?! :shocked: Hope he is doing better as well.
 
5150dhbiker

5150dhbiker

Turbo Monkey
Nov 5, 2007
1,200
0
Santa Barbara, CA
Hope you recover quickly! I sprained my left ankle and messed up my Achilles tendon last week riding with a group of 30 riders while leading them down our trails. Oh well, I love DH too much to be angry about it!! As long as I'm back in riding condition by the start of the PRO GRT...I'm set!

Anyways, heal quickly!!
 
W

Whoops

Turbo Monkey
Jul 9, 2006
1,011
0
New Zealand
Update

Have had a month or so of physio since Dr gave all clear to stop using moon boot.

A fair amount of pain has been inflicted by my lithe and surprisingly strong young female physio... but not a great deal of progress. She had a chat yesterday to another couple of surgical specialists...

"I met with two of our orthopaedic surgeons here last night and we looked over the XRays and discussed options and management of it. Both of them were pretty taken aback by the severity of the fracture.. also said that full outcome of your potential mobility will depend on if anything is regained with the removal of screws. Surgically, they seemed to think that potential debridement of the ankle (ie going in and removing spurs, etc) will, at best, improve things only marginally, however this is best addressed once the injury has had its 12 months to allow normal healing, tissue adaptation, etc "

The email then goes on to highlight some of the issues.

Bummed.

Still, can always be worse eh? Perhaps I can take up knitting.
 
S

Sonic Reducer

Monkey
Mar 19, 2006
500
0
seattle worshington
Whoops said:
as a minimum am looking at 5 more weeks non-lead bearing, and then 3 months after that in a flexi moon boot. I wonder if I can get some 5-10 soles stuck on that?
Click to expand...
i used to have a picture of me doing a wallride way up a chainlink fence with a walking cast on :D wish i could find that damn thing. tucked in some shoebox somewhere im sure.
 
S

slowmtb

Monkey
Aug 17, 2008
216
0
ChurChur, NZ
Great to see things are coming right for you "Whoops" :thumb:
Sounds like you may be an "old" bugger like me judging by your comment the doc's made :D

Similar experience - I wish :rolleyes:

Last February - Port Hills - Turangi Day - Me vs Tree :eek:

I am fairly new to the sport and was slowly getting my skills dialled and felt ready to step it up a notch. The run was going extremely well, I hit step downs that I had not attempted before without issue, BUT then this little jump comes along. No problem, I have done it before BUT at MUCH slower speed. Turns out that when you hit it with speed it pushes you to the right, which just so happens to be directly at a tree right next to the trail :shocked:
So anyway I am in the air, see this tree looming up and do the old whip to the side but without the whip....... not enough and BANG we collide :think:

Anyway long story short - meat wagon turns up, carts me away to horse piddle and the X-Rays etc begin.

Doc's concentrate on my right shoulder area and ignore my constant complaints about my back. Spend the night there and home next day.
I am on Morphine to help cope with the pain and about six weeks later I go back to work ( well I actually went to work the next week until they realised how bad things were :confused: ). After a few days my back really starts to give me shiat - go to Doc's - more X-Rays and hello Houston We Have A Problem. Immediately off work for quite some time and even more Morphine :drool:
12 months later things have healed enough for a return to work.

Breakages:
4 front ribs
2 back ribs
broken scapula
blown shoulder ( AC joint, the works )
2 compression fractures of the spine - T6 & T8
Lacerated kidney

Not a bad effort for one crash :blink:

I'm such a muppet :rofl:
I ride even slower now :weee:
 

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