Fifty Plus (50+) - Post-crash crisis (long)

I rode my first century on August 19. Felt surprisingly good physically the next day, so went for an easy club ride. Almost back to the start point I crashed. First time since starting serious cycling 1 1/2 years ago. I landed hard on my head. My helmet was split, but aside from minor road rash I felt no symptoms. No headache, no double vision, nothing.

Last week I started having trouble walkiing normally, was exhausted all the time, couldn't type well. My wife worried that I'd had a stroke. I finally booked an appt. with my doctor, who examined me for ten minutes and sent me to the hospital for a CAT Scan, which revealed a subdural hematoma pressing on my brain. I had emergency brain surgery that night.

It went well, and I was back home in only a few days. I'm waiting for a follow-up scan to show whether the brain has re-expanded to its normal size. Meanwhile I feel fine. But I'm concerned that I won't quite get back to where I was, and that I might be warned off cycling because of the risk of re-injury, or whatever.

I've heard one story already of a motorcycle racer who had a similar post-crash injury, and bounced back completely. But he's thirty years younger than I am, so I wonder how this all looks to members of this forum.

Any reality checks, uplifiting anecdotes, sensible advice, etc. welcome

I have no advice, anicdotes, or reality checks. I just want you to know I'm pulling for you. I'm sure others will have more to share.

DUUUUUUDDDEEEEE!

crazy! glad to hear the outcome has been this good!
and you're already out here, bangin away at the keyboard!
amazin!
all that cycling must have stood you in good stead for handling and starting a solid recovery.
That in mind, it would seem at some point getting back on the 'horse' would be a good thing.

but then what do I know?

They may warn you off, but then it'll all depend on how stubborn and 'head-strong' you really are...
you know, guys, never ask for directions...
okay, I'll save the rest of my smartass comments for next week :D

glad you're still bangin around here! do keep us posted on progress!

Oh, do stay away from the front door on Halloween, you'll scare the little tikes ****less!

The most likely scenario is that there will be no long term deficit of any significance. The fact that it took a long time for the symptoms to develop suggests your brain was compressed rather than damaged and that the compression was largely taken up by the fluid filled ventricles and the space around the brain that develops as we age and the brain shrinks. Biking will be most limited by your own concerns rather than physician concerns most likely. Assuming you have no balance or coordination problems, then biking is not any more risky post op than it was before, after a suitable healing period. If you are on some sort of anticoagulant therapy that might change the situation. Brain reexpands when compressed with low risk of further damage just from the compression/reexpansion cycle if, as you say, you had no symptoms until the few days or so before the subdural was discovered. If those close to you report you are back to your usual self, and if your own feeling is that you are back to normal and the neurosurgeon finds no deficit, you can be assured that the deficits you noticed were just a sign that the brain had run out of its ability to compensate from the enlarging subdural and not that the brain was 'permanently' damaged.

Despite all the technical terms that the Doctors come up with- This sounds very similar to concussion. The old name for a hazard of active life. I've had concussion twice in my life and although it took a bit of time to recover- Normal life style was soon resumed.

Only problem is that as we get older- things take longer to recover from. Unless a further problem is diagnosed- I should think a recovery is possible.Good luck on the recovery but sounds as though you may have a few weeks of checking the bike over for when you resume.

Last year (2005) in April I had a fall (actually it was a punch from my daughters' ex, but that's another story) that at the time seemed like nothing major.

2 months later I had the same symptoms you describe. My wife also thought I was suffering a stroke.

I was also taken to the local E.D. and was operated on for a subdural hematoma.

The operation was without complication and recovery was quick, I was up and walking immediately after the mandatory 24 hour post-op lying horizontal.

Hospital staff expressed surprise at at my good physical condition for a 72 year old including heart readings and blood pressure....no need to explain to the members of this forum the reason for that.

Following medical advice I didn't go on my bike for about 6 weeks...I got myself a trainer and used it daily during that time.

I had a mandatory driving ban for 6 months.

The only problems I've had were some hearing disturbances and sharp head pain when coughing. These cleared after a few months.

I've been doing my usual cycling for a year now, and have no ill effects that I'm aware of.......except my wife fussing when I forget where I put my slippers...."are you sure you feel ok?"

The medics tell me that there is a small but ongoing chance of a recurrence of the hematoma but are very positive that I should continue cycling without restriction. Which is exactly what I would have done in any case.

There is one unexpected result from this misadventure.....the guy who floored me was prosecuted and ordered to pay me reparation which is sitting now in my bank account and just happens to be the right amount to get me a new bike. :D

The most likely scenario is that there will be no long term deficit of any significance........etc.
This is an excellent summary from sch....he is obviously very familiar with this injury.

I have read extensively about subdural hematomas since my operation and sch corroborates everything and more.

You can take comfort from what he says and put the incident behind you.

I feel in my bones you will be back 100%. :)

Sounds a little more serious then a concussion, since that doesn't usually require surgery. I wouldn't even guess what your future prognosis is, I am glad you're doing better. Sounds like that helmet and your wife saved your life.

Good luck with the recovery - glad that [it seems that] you're OK!

Nothing to add here but wishes for a quick and full recovery. Judging from the informed opinions above that seems likely. Hey, you can type and write coherently so that's a good sign!

Oh, and be sure to replace the helmet before you ride again. :)

Holy bat-feces! Sorry to hear all this. Here's to hoping everything goes well.

Dennis

My best wishes for a 100% recovery also.:)
Regarding your question what to do in the future.
You cannot avoid all risk. Yes, you can minimize risk. Walking for exercise is safer than biking for instance.
Inactivity is ultimately deathly. You will suffer diminished muscle tone which will cause joint wear. Inactivity is also the cause for weight gain.
I cannot handle stress without lots of exercise. This is what drives me to do 90 minutes/day of strenuous exercise. Now that means that I have to do something which I can and want to do. For me that is biking.
There is a risk. I am very aware and afraid of it. I am more afraid of the results of inactivity.

Thanks so much for all your responses. I'm encouraged. I'll keep you informed as things progress.

Bernie

Bernie, I'll add my best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery. What role do you feel your helmet played in all this? I hesitate to ask, since it always starts a multi-page thread of controversey, but I'm interested.

Ride on warrior! Ride on!!!:D

Bernie, I'll add my best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery. What role do you feel your helmet played in all this? I hesitate to ask, since it always starts a multi-page thread of controversey, but I'm interested.

It's an obvious question. I just hope this very personal thread doesn't get hijacked by anti-helmet zealots. Given how badly the helmet was trashed by the impact, it must certainly have absorbed a lot of the blow. I'm hardly in a position to give a professional opinion, but it's hard to imagine any injury less than a severe concussion, and maybe a skull fracture, if I'd fallen the same way without a good helmet (Bell Ghisallo) on my head. I immediately replaced it with the same model, thanks to Bell's crash replacement program.

Mojo, thanks for the good wishes.

Ride on warrior! Ride on!!!:D

My sentiments exactly!

Best of recovery - don't let Anything get ya down!!

Keep us posted.

Best wishes, bernmart. It sounds like your prospects are good, and I'm rooting for a full recovery.

I've suffered four concussions and one fractured skull, and the agreed to seel the motorcycles until after all the kids have completed college. Today, I ride bicycles and participate in numerous activities that are demanding and have some risk involved. There is often full recovery after head injuries, but you may have to take it slow... I know I did. I'm rooting for for ya'.

Glad you are doing well, bernmart.

On October 8, I had a crash on the second day of an MS 150. Went over handlebars, my own stupid mistake, my head and left arm and knee took the impact, came thru with only road rash and a dented helmet. I was MUCH luckier than you, I probably should have broken my collarbone. I'm also convinced that my helmet saved me from MUCH worse injury. I'm almost completely healed now. Got on the bike after the crash and rode another 30 miles in to the finish. Only lingering pain is it hurts a little in my diaphragm when I sneeze! (?)

Take it slow, you'll be back on the bike in no time. Good luck :).

My accident was not similar to yours but I think that in any serious accident there is both the physical and mental issues to overcome. I was out physically with two broken arms for six weeks and then had 12 weeks of rehab. I tried to keep my conditioning by walking 3-5 miles a day and while my arms will never be 100% free of pain I was able to quickly exceed my previous physical conditioning. Mentally was a bigger challenge. Originally I would only ride on MUPs not on the street, I would not ride over 15mph and I was constantly nervous about another accident. I kept at it though and after a year I was back to riding on the street and now I probably take more risks in my riding than I did before my accident. My attitude is that accidents can happen anywhere at any time you cannot let fear govern your life.

So my opnion is that if you want to get back to the same level you will, just have patience with yourself both physically and mentally and don't get disapointed or quit when things go slower than you think they should.

Having crashed recently, suffering a concussion and having had a similar brain injury (at birth) the best advice I can offer is to take it at your own pace.

More importanly, accept my wishes for a continued good outcome and full recovery.

Best,
Jeff, still fat, still biking

bernmart,

You’ll get better, and you will be better because of it. I’m rooting for you. Thanks for
sharing.

You will be ok. We are all grateful for your quick recovery.

I am lucky. Back in '93 I had a motorcycle crash which broke and dislocated my right wrist. It took a screw and two pins to repair. My helmet was badly damaged. I am convinced of the value of a helmet and will not ride without one. I would have suffered a serious head injury otherwise. Even if it was only to prevent the loss of blood it is worth it to wear.

Ride on warrior! Ride on!!!:D


+2 here!!

"What does not kill you makes you stronger". I suspect this may be true for you in this case. You have my very best wishes for a complete recovery.

Your get off is a warning to everyone who rides without a helmet.

I've had two off's on motorcycles, the worst of which resulted in a broken wrist with torn tendons. I wore full leathers, gloves, helmet and race boots. I had to make a decision whether to continue to ride. I decided you only go around once in life and continued to ride, but I slowed down quite a bit. I became particulary cautious of vehicular traffic around me, sand or gravel in turns, and blind corners and hills.

I just started riding bicycles again after almost 20 years. I use the same philosophy . . . I slow down in corners, expect sand and gravel in turns, and am very concious of vehicular traffic around me. You only go through life once, so make the most of it. BTW . . . I feel naked while riding my bike with only a puny helmet standing between me and the pavement.

I hate to admit this, but I crashed and burned on a 180-degree turn on a local MUP this summer. I was going too fast, leaning too far, and the front wheel slipped. I went down and hit on my (fortunately) hard head on concrete... with no helmet. No surgeries or treaments required, but I had a golf ball sized knot on my head and, susequently, two black eyes, classic shiners. Also had a baseball sized knot on my right hip plus a good dose of road rash up and down the right hand side of my body. I went out and bought a helmet... as soon as the knot went down. I took all of the physical damage and the well-deserved abuse from my co-workers for not having had a helmet. The bike was not damaged save for a small scratch on the RD.

I was back on the bike after a week. I wear my helmet 100%, and I'm more careful on turns. I've regained my confidence, but it didn't return all at once. Assuming your doc clears you to ride, I suppose I'd get up and ride. If you're like I was, you'll be a little tentative in your riding for a while.

Not to be a bore, but you've all been so supportive that I wanted to keep you posted. This morning I had a follow-up CAT scan of my head (and got the damned staples and stitches out, too). The results were most encouraging: the brain is reoccupying its space at a rapid rate, and everything's looking almost normal. The neurologist is confident of a full recovery. He's warned me off the bike for the next few weeks though. I'll almost certainly cheat, but not this weekend, for sure.

Thanks again for all your kind words and anecdotes.

I was in a similar situation back in the mid 80's and have made a full recovery but after a couple more decades of Diamond Framed cycling and laying down my bike a few more times I've opted to get a Recumbent Racing Trike made of carbon fiber and ti (Windcheetah Hypersport) and I've got to tell all of you that we have cheated ourselves out of really having fun going really fast with no worrys of endo's or laying it down while going thru corners at 40 plus mph!

The down side is none of the local roadies want to attempt to ride with me anymore as they can't get a draft off my rig and I can drop a whole peloton of them with watts in reserve! I still can't believe I spent my whole racing career and decades working in the bike industry and didnt know how fast and safe recumbent trikes could be... :)

Hang in there Bern! Praying for your compete recovery!
Not my field, but take it pretty easy for a good 6 weeks. With a subdural or epidural you had to have a bang enough to give you a king sized concussion as well. Get back in the saddle too quick and you can have a chronic headache for a long time! Let things heal up really well, then go to it! I agree with Sch - eventual recovery would be expected.
You'll be out on the road in no time.....wwweellll.....6 weeks or so. Glad you had the helmet on -I'm a believer.....

I'm back on the bike! I've been feeling better every day, and missing the bike more and more. (It got to the point where I'd go into the garage and visit it for a few minutes each day!) This Saturday I did a few laps around the Rose Bowl to make sure my balance and energy were OK. I felt great--better than before the surgery.

I now realize that for weeks I'd been using my right leg for most of my riding energy, 'cause the left leg was so weak. Interesting what we can adapt to, and be unaware of the adaptation. Now that I've got two equally strong legs, I move right along. For me, that is. I steamed up Salvia Canyon Road without even breathing hard.

Yesterday I did the Foothill Cycle Club's "easy" ride of 19 miles as a formal debut, and reunited with old friends. It was a euphoric time.

Thanks again for all your good wishes and kind thoughts. It's great to be back.

Bernie

Really glad to hear you're back in the saddle. I can greatly appreciate how you must have felt riding with the group again. We just don't know how much we enjoy and appreciate something until it's not available for a period of time.

Most importantly it's good to hear of your continued recovery.