"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Broken foot - Do you have experience/advice?

I broke my foot last night (not on the bike). Do any of you who train & race have experience with an injury like this? I want to know a bit more before I see the specialist on Monday. Thanks.

http://www.socalbikeforums.com/imagehosting/1644af5e019150b4.jpg

If it hurts and it isn't supposed to, then don't do it.

Ouch. Not my foot, but I hurt my shin/ankle when I was hit by a car two years ago, where the bumper impacted me. I had a huge limp when I walked but it was only mildly uncomfortable on the bike. It seems that it would be difficult to put any force into the downstroke with a broken foot though.

Yeah cycling is out for the near future. I can't put any downforce on it. I'm just curious if anyone had a similar injury and how long it took them to get back on the bike. I also want to make sure I ask all the right questions when I see the specialist.

On the plus side I won't overtrain this offseason and my sore hamstring will finally get some time to heal.

Yep left foot twice. Right foot once. Over 12 years since the last break. Back then all they could do was soft cast and an ortho shoe. I don't think you are going to be able to turn the cranks. To much pressure and it never heals. I'm sure in 2009 they have much better treatments than they did in 76,79 and 97.

I don't think you are going to be able to turn the cranks. To much pressure and it never heals.

explain...

You will be back on the bike in a month......

I had a very similar fracture about 10 weeks ago. I was off the bike for about 10 days, and back at it pretty quick. Shouldn't be an issue. There's little to no impact with cycling so you should be good to go quickly. Clipping in and out will be your biggest issue. I just used my hand to clip my foot out to avoid putting stress on it.

explain...

From my experience the foot needs to be stable to allow the bone to heal. Putting torque on the bone prohibits the healing or causes the bone to heal in a new position. In 97 I had a pallet dropped on my foot. Snapped the first metatarsal and sesamoid bone. Since I was in the middle of a facility start up I just toughed it out and continued to walk on it over the next several weeks. Now I have this large bump on the top of my foot caused by the bone healing in the wrong position. Ortho Doctor told me it was from applying consistent pressure to the break and not stabilizing it.

Not saying this will happen in your case. Just go see a real doctor. FWIW, I have learned that healing and recovery are the most important functions of an active healthy lifestyle.

... Since I was in the middle of a facility start up I just toughed it out and continued to walk on it over the next several weeks. Now I have this large bump on the top of my foot caused by the bone healing in the wrong position. Ortho Doctor told me it was from applying consistent pressure to the break and not stabilizing it.

Not saying this will happen in your case. Just go see a real doctor. FWIW, I have learned that healing and recovery are the most important functions of an active healthy lifestyle.

Good advice.

From what I'm getting from BF and friends is that somewhere between 1-2 months of rest should do it. Not to bad. I can use the rest.

FYI: After visiting the OUCH center in Temecula, CA I have some more info.

The fracture above is known as a "Jones Fracture". It typically does not heal well in adults because the tendons in the foot are constantly pulling the 2 pieces of the bone apart. Treatment is 1 of 2 choices: Put the foot in a boot for 6-8 weeks and then re x-ray to see if it healed OR surgery to screw the bone back together and then 4 weeks of recovery.

After consulting with OUCH and a orthopedic surgeon I choose the surgery route. It's the best option for a full recovery and will get my foot back to 100% in the shortest amount of time.

WARNING! To all middle aged bike racers:

Indoor play areas with slides and inflatable jump houses are designed for kids, NOT adults. Even though it is you son's 8th birthday and you want to join in the fun with him, don't do it.