General Cycling Discussion - multiple pelvic fractures on metric century

Hi. Six weeks ago today, I was about 20 miles into a metric century when I went down. I have 3 pelvic fractures and a transverse process injury to my L5 vertebra. The pelvic fractures are my front pubic bone, my rear "sitz" bone, and a compression fracture to the upper part of my pelvis. I was hosptialized for two weeks and at this time I cannot walk or put any pressure on my right side (all the injuries are to the right side). I was initially put in rehab, but then taken out to heal further, so at this point I've been doing no rehab. I am a 41 year old female.

On Monday, I return to my orothopaedic. I know there is a possibility for permanent pain and/or disability, and I want to do everything I can to optimize my recovery. I write with the hope of finding others with similar experiences, and hope to hear some suggestions regarding what worked for you. I'm also trying to do some research in order to ask the right questions of my doc.

Thanks in advance.

Alis

i don't know any info that can help you, but i'm so sorry to hear about your accident and i hope your recovery goes well. Ill keep ya in my prayers

Sorry to read about your injuries, wish you a fast, speedy and full recovery.

Sorry to hear about this. Hope you're better soon.

How did the accident occur?

Hi. Six weeks ago today, I was about 20 miles into a metric century when I went down. I have 3 pelvic fractures and a transverse process injury to my L5 vertebra. The pelvic fractures are my front pubic bone, my rear "sitz" bone, and a compression fracture to the upper part of my pelvis. I was hosptialized for two weeks and at this time I cannot walk or put any pressure on my right side (all the injuries are to the right side). I was initially put in rehab, but then taken out to heal further, so at this point I've been doing no rehab. I am a 41 year old female.

On Monday, I return to my orothopaedic. I know there is a possibility for permanent pain and/or disability, and I want to do everything I can to optimize my recovery. I write with the hope of finding others with similar experiences, and hope to hear some suggestions regarding what worked for you. I'm also trying to do some research in order to ask the right questions of my doc.

Thanks in advance.

Alis

sorry about your accident- have you got a problem with osteoporosis or was it a really bad fall- if not I would get checked out

Wow, I am really sorry to hear of your accident. I've had my share of injuries, but yours trumps any one of mine. I wish you the best of luck regarding recovery, and hope to see you back on the bike as soon as possible!

The only advise I will give you is to MAKE SURE YOU SEE THE BEST ORTHO GUY AVAILABLE. Via my past injuries, I've found this to be a vital choice that will influence your outcome as much as any other thing you can do. Seek out the best doctor and PT you can find.

Again, good luck on your recovery, and please update the group on your progress. We are all pulling for you! :)

In 1998, my youngest son (then 31yo) fell and broke his L6, resulting in paralysis in both legs.

He was in a cast 12 weeks, and we found out he had severe osteoporosis.

A major portion of his therapy was water therapy, along with bio feedback and more traditional physical therapy, and some very expensive mechanical bracing and stretching devices. His MD's said he would never walk.

It took 2 years plus of daily therapy by me and others, but he walked again, and would have full use of both legs except for some contractures developed due to the negligence of his in-hospital treatment, which did not do enough and appropriate stretching. So he has full use of right leg, and about 90% on left leg, but he is STILL improving. He is developmentally disabled, and rode a 3 wheeler before the injury. A portion of his therapy was learning again how to pedal the 3 wheeler.

The osteoporosis was treated with Fosamax.

My points:

1. The human body has amazing recuperative powers.

2. It takes time and lots of hard work.

3. An EXCELLENT physical therapist is essential, and PT's DO vary in their skill, approach and knowledge.

4. Be careful of contractures, they are devastating, and "stretching" in this sense is a rather complex task, requiring a good knowledge on the part of the PT of the physical reactions of muscles, tendond and ligaments to the stretching process. You can stretch too much, which is just as harmful as not stretching enough.

Good luck. I know you will get back to full function.

Thank you all for your support and suggestions. I don't know anything about contractures but will set about to understand it now. I also didn't realize osteoporosis is a possibility, even in a six week time frame. I have been taking a variety of calcium supplements along with bio-available silica and other things, so hopefully I will avoid that.

Your encouragement is very appreciated, as I'm hitting a wall having to do with questions about whether I should even try to get back on. Eventually I'm going to post another thread looking for people who did just that -- get back on after getting knocked off with a vengance. I know my body will heal, but today my spirits are lagging behind it rather than leading the way.

i would defidently try and get back on. i know the sort of mentality you're going through on that one. the same thing happened to me when i used to do aggressive rollerblading. i fell in sixth grade, broke both bones in my right wrist at a 45 degree angle. i had to have it reset, then my arm got kicked, so i had to have it re broken surgically and reset again. needless to say, the last thing i wanted to do for a while was skate. i was so terrified to get back out there, but once i finally did, i couldn't have been happier. granted i was much more consciouss about safety and thinking things through, but i realized that it was a pretty freak accident and i could easily avoid the sort of circumstances i was in and have. i think it's at least worth a try, look at some of the greates cyclist of all time, lance and lemond come to mind. They both went through terrible accidents/cancer that took them off the bike for a while. do you think they thought about quitting? hell yes, but do you think they have ever regretted getting back on the bike?

VEry good point. Don't wonder what if. BUt I think it's essential that you get the best treatment possible. I know people who have suffered permanent damage because they didn't think they needed treatment. Do whatever you need to do, but do not push yourself. I know of people who have had horrible accidents and had injuries very similar to yours-broken hips, pelvis, verebrae- and have recovered and gotten back on the bike. Some even raced again. If you're in good shape and fit, you have a better chance of recovering, unless of course you lose a limb or are paralyzed. You'd be surprised at what you will be able to do.

I remember Hermann Maier, the world cup skier who had a horrible accident a couple of years ago. He was riding his motorcycle and was hit by a car. First they thought he'd die. Then they thought he'd lose his leg. THen they weren't even sure he'd walk again let alone ski. But he actually got back to skiing and skied last season with a titanium rod in his leg and won! Now he's planning on doing the next olympics. They call him the Hermannator (he's austrian). Not everyone is a world class athlete, but it shows you people can come back from horrible accidents and injuries, and when it comes to that type of thing, athletes like lance and the hermannator are just as vulnerable as anyone else. A car hitting an athlete is just as serious as a car hitting one of us!

Hi,
I get this stuff for my wife. Pretty good stuff.
http://www.anrminerals.com/html/TR_prod_calmgzinc.html
The zinc and C are supposed to help the calcium do it's thing.
Good luck.