zjrog

Cortisone into the Achilles isn't a good idea, can weaken the tendon. Funny, its OK everywhere else... I'm going tom look into some different shoes for work, yes, part of the chain. Its good that I can wear sneaker type steel toed shoes, instead of boots. I have better high top boots for cooler weather but don't want to wear them in the summer. The doc DID ask where I worked and what I do. He didn't say ANYTHING about slowing down. Perhaps the boot was a hint?

So I have to ask, given I'm considering a trike tandem. I understand the torque/RPM reference. I'm 6'3" and HATE spinning. I used to prefer higher gear hammering and could get away with it. But now, I've been working on higher RPM work. Is higher RPM better for trikes too? Maybe I should slip on over to BROL...

Peter_C

Hehe - yes, many fine folks at BROL that know much more than I.

Lots of 'names' over there - Chonk from TerraTrike, Ashley from Utah Trikes - many others.

All I know is that in my case (bad knees, heart issues) spinning is my friend. The downside of trikes is that you usually (most people) end up 3-5mph slower on a trike - but, the comfort factor is like riding a lawnchair, and who cares how fast you go on a hill - no balance issues, don't even need to unclip when you stop, and so on.

If it's about the ride itself, people loves their trikes, if it is about speed, or getting from point A to point B fast - then, a trike isn't the best choice. Sorta like the tortoise and the hare - the bike is fast, but anything over two hours starts to hurt, but the trike, hell, I am good for over two hours even with my hip right now...LOL

zjrog

Perhaps I will get some plans from AtomicZombie. I can weld and have plenty of implements of destruction on hand. I'm a Jeep guy afterall. I can't afford to purchase a ready made trike yet, so maybe building one won't break my bank account. I like the AtomicZombie model of recycling cast off bikes. And I seem still bent on a tandem, my wife hasn't good balance herself, so a tandem in general was already in plans, but a trike tandem, well, that might make her feel very safe.

Does it concern you that you sit lower than the eyes of most drivers on the road? That seems to be a tough sticking point in my head... Although the tandem would be mostly a MUP ride regardless.

Peter_C

No, it doesn't concern me as first, I try not to ride on the roads much, but mainly, I have found that for watever reasons, cars seem to give me a LOT more room then they tend to give bikes.

Plus, I have a great flag that really gets attention

zjrog

Interesting. I see recumbent bikes now and again, but have yet to see a 'bent trike on the street. I really wish there was a good MUP closer to home.

I hate this boot. I won't repeat it... Today. Spent an hour on the trainer this evening. Leery of going on the street and over stretching the foot right now. And can't ride in the boot. Just didn't have any desire after 5 minutes. Probably just complaining for the sake of complaint right now. Took the last of the steroids today. DO NOT like how I feel, hope they get out of my system quickly. I hate even taking Tylenol or Aspirin. I also don't like just sitting and not doing something all weekend... Last summer I couldn't do much more than work thanks to my knee. Its different but the same. At least, its not my knee...

zjrog

Have had the boot off for a week, bought some better sneakers. Wife spent 2 weeks in the hospital, yea... Not bike related, but you can see my knee bends pretty good...

zjrog

This afternoon at the gym, I decided to run again on the treadmill. First time since being treated for that heel spur. While not earth shattering news here, I did manage to get past 10 minutes total running during my 30 minutes on the treadmill. 5 times for 2 minutes each. Paying attention to how my heel tolerated the activity and of course, my heart rate. I was also specifically working on a midfoot strike type of stride. I used to run in Nike Aqua Socks, back in the day and don't really remember any serious side effects from running in that type of thin soled flexible shoe. (Although, they weren't tight enough on the foot to play basketball, a lesson I learned the hard way!) I was surprised that it wasn't hard to alter my stride, but it was difficult to maintain it. And the last time of running, I was working hard to keep from heel striking.

Anyway, I recently picked up a pair of Pearl Izumi running shoes. These are neutral/stability. But don't seem to have as much heel cushion as other shoes I've used. I will look into some zero drop shoes for my next pair. Problem is, I hate spending that sort of money for something I might not like... Seems that minimal shoes cost every bit as much as regular shoes.

ZmanKC

zjroj,
You're running on a prosthetic knee?

I had mine replaced 12 years ago and was told never to run. Has the conventional wisdom changed?

Is running now OK?

zjrog

Zman, I wouldn't say its changed by and large. There are a LOT of runners out there on new knees. Most are on knees designed in the last 5-10 years. Officially, most prosthetic manufacturers are against it, and a majority of doctors. But what they are finding, people like me, don't want to be slowed down or be invalids after replacement. So, we're as active as we want to be. My OWN doctor doesn't want me to snow ski, and that is his only limitation for me. I don't ski anyway, so I'm not out anything. Not that it helps in your decision, but I have an old Navy buddy that had a replacement in the late 80s, and he has been running on it ever since. I knew he ran "funny" back in the 90s, and it wasn't until I was getting mine he told me he has had one for 20+ years. he still runs some, but needs the plastic spacer replaced. If you have a desire to run, talk it over with your doctor, or better, seek a sports orthopedic for advice.

If you don't mind my asking, do you have good Range of Motion after 12 years? In my case, I'm only 9 months post op, but have 140+ degrees ROM. I worked hard to get it, and work hard to keep it. And good luck slowing me down now.

Off for a bike ride...

zjrog

That ride was a DISASTER! I've been in the hospital ever since. My friend told me I passed him and my front was going flat. Didn't turn and landed headfirst in the ditch doing about 30-35MPH. I only remember pulling on the helmet and think what fun I was going to have. About 15 minutes into our ride is when things went bad. I landed headfirst, the helmet doing a good job of absorbing energy. I still broke the vertibra at the base of my skull and shattered 2 thoracic vertibra and 2 ribs. Slid to my right shoulder for some serious roadrash, and landed on my my back.

My friend is a non-current EMS, got stopped and came back to find me with a massive concussion, got someone on the road to go down and call 911 AND come back (he did both). By this time I wanted up. My buddy all but sat on me and kept on the ground for 15 minutes, when the first ambulance showed up. I was hauled to the local hospital,but don't remember a thing of it it. I started remembering again in the life flight helo ride. This was about 5-6 hours after the accident... Big New Zealander was taking care of me noticed I was suddenly alert. When he asked if I knew what was going on, I remember something about I must have messed up BAD, I'm on lifeflight. He relaxed and soon we landed. I've seen this many times from my wife's hospital rooms. But don't recall well any of it or blast through ER process. I begin to remember again the elevator ride to my room, friends family pour through, the day explained and I can't believe, I am a survivor.

Next day, my spine was fused between T7-T12 and rods and screws added. Next couple of days are drugged up blurs. Tidbits and snippets hear and there. Nights were interesting as I seemed to tell stories during my sleep. A week ago this evening I was finally moved to physical rehab section of the hospital. I'm in a simple neckbrace as long as I sit up no more than 30 degrees. Making this laptop thing tough. If I wish to be more vertical, or whenever I leave the bed, I'm in a much more restrictive whole chest brace.

Rehab isn't any fun. But the other day I finally began to feel I was making real progress.. Today even more so. Maybe, with such progress I can get home before the currently planned 22nd.... Well, it is nice to dream.

Starting to lose it for the night. Just let me add, I've very lucky to be alive. Luckier still to have control of everything, feeling in all extremeties. And an overall good shot at recovery. I hope to ride a bike after this, and will even accept a recumbent trike as proof I can ride again.

Don't forget your helmet next ride....

Neil_B

But is the bike OK?

Neil_B

I'm praying for you and your family. And I'm looking forward to riding with you when you are back up and around.

thestoutdog

zjrog, rest well and leave the riding to the professionals until doc gives you the go ahead. I'm pulling for you buddy!

CraigB

I'm so sorry to hear about the crash. You'll be in my thoughts. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

txvintage

Hang in there zjrog, thoughts and prayers buddy, thoughts and prayers.

ill.clyde

Sending good thoughts friend ...

dcrowell

Ouch! Heal well and quickly.

Jim from Boston

I came upon this thread this morning and was curious what re-awakened it from the Original Post of 11/15/10. I went to your description of the accident, and the eye-catching picture of the helmet ("That ride was a DISASTER! I've been in the hospital ever since."), and then scrolled back to your immediately preceding post from 8/21 ("Off for a bike ride..."). Then I noted you were the actual OP yourself

That's an amazing and well-told story and I wish you the best for a complete recovery. Thanks for telling it. It reminds me a frightful aphorism by Doris Lessing, "Life changes fast."

jeneralist 

Best wishes for a speedy, complete recovery!

Peter_C

Well, it sounds like the knee held up during the event at least. This really sucks badly, and my prayers for both you and family~! Please keep us up to speed as you can on your recovery?

jagraham

Hope you're up and about very soon.

Judy

goldfinch

Oh my. Take care! We never know, do we, what might take us out of the game. Thank goodness for the helmet.

zjrog

The bike? Haven't seen it. My buddy says the front wheel and fork are toast, but the frame might be OK. Its 98 Cannondale R200.

Jim from Boston, I wasn't really sure I wanted to post this outside of my ongoing knee thread.

Peter, the knee has been fantastic through this seriously. My PT people are amazed what I can do/want to do on that knee.

So let me briefly add, I am 6'3", and have slipped to about 275 right now. Not the preferred weight loss, but broke my plateau?

That Big New Zealander from the helo stopped in and saw me a couple days after surgery. Usually people freak out when they realize they aren't on the ground. Said I was different and wanted to see how I was doing. I spent a lot of time in helos when in the Navy, believe it or not, I found the ride comforting.

I was having a good day in rehab PT today, my brace hasn't fit well since I got it. And the head technician for that vendor came to look at it today. Took some measurements off me with the brace on and off, and took it away to alter. Been without the brace now for 6 hours don't think I get it back tonight. I cannot get out of bed without it. So I hope this doesn't set me back much.

Right now my main aches and pains are in my back and ribs. I can get up out of bed fine, and am walking laps not feet in their gym. Started strength and balance yesterday. Time and patience I keep saying elsewhere.

Since this is tough to get online and type, I will get on when I can.

Thanks for the good thoughts, and prayers!

Jim from Boston

THANK YOU for your time and effort to reply to us. I didn’t read much of the knee portion of the thread, but it certainly drew quite a long discussion. As I noted in my initial reply, my attention was drawn to the thread because it was reawakened.

You may be aware that Neil B has started a new thread about your accident.

Again best wishes.

Neil_B

"In case you don't read the knee replacement thread....."