Planemaker

I was in car accident on Thursday, my fault, nobody other than me was seriously hurt which is a real blessing. I had surgery yesterday and two plates were used to put my jet forearm back together, both were completely broken in rwo. Dr, says 6 to 8 weeks to heal and an additional 4 months off the bike, she doesn't want me to fall and risk breaking my arm again.

bruce19

That sucks. Sorry to hear of your misfortune. Hope things heal well and quickly for you.

009jim

Follow all the rehab exercises your doc gives you. It will help you psychologically to feel better and also help the healing and strengthening process physiologically. If they didn't give you any exercises, suggest you see a physio therapist and get a schedule.

cplager

I'm sorry to hear about your accident. I'm glad you're (mostly) OK.

Once you feel up to it, put your bike on a trainer. I'd also consider a recumbent trike as something that will let you get on the road sooner safely.

Shamrock

Sorry to hear about the injury.Sounds like you will be back riding in 6 months. you are not off the bike permanently which is good.
Now this has me ask the question is a recumbent a safer bike?I think anyone would be concerned about a bike crash with a plate in the arm.
My last crash was on wet leaves and acorns.The knee swelled up and I could hardly walk.I wondered if a bent would have lessened the injury.

OldTryGuy

Bummer. Therapy is your friend when the time is appropriate. Good luck.

Thinking about a recumbent for my wife for the stability advantage.

JanMM

Sorry to hear about the accident and good healing to planemaker.

Recumbents safer? Not aware of data to support that but there are reasons to suggest there may be some truth to it. Lower to the ground so not as far to fall. Difficult to execute an endo on a recumbent.
A 'bent trike could be safer for rehab riding as it can't just fall over - although they can flip over on a turn, etc. With most 'bent bikes and trikes, there is no pressure on the arms, so that would be good for someone with an arm injury.

OldsCOOL

Sorry to hear of your accident. Glad you are still with us.

bhchdh 

Heal well, and soon.

OldTryGuy

Our car crash was a 2007 at stop light into our trunk rear ender at 60mph. Wife's main issue, subdural hematoma with visual, balance plus additional remaining issues so the trike stance would be more stable at speeds she can ride. Considering Evolve, Videos, for storage advantage in motorhome.

nkfrench 

A semi-recumbant stationary bike at the gym is a safe rehab alternative. Upright will probably be uncomfortable on the broken arm. Road riding any kind of bike may be too much bumpiness even if stability is addressed.

JanMM

Prudent course is no riding on a real bike of any sort until approved by healthcare provider.

JanMM

One-handed word processing? Or, do you have a transcriptionist? Wondering what a jet forearm is?
Both radius and ulna of one arm fractured, is that correct? They use any titanium?
Remember to increase fluid and fiber intake if you're taking opioid pain pills.

North Coast Joe

Sorry to hear of your misfortune! Wishing you a speedy healing process.

jppe

Tough deal. Justing getting in prime riding season as well. My wife is an acupuncturist and I've seen where treatments can speed up recovery.

leob1

Well, it could have been worst, rest and heal up.
But no riding the whole summer? I think I'd ignore that.

Miami Biker

Sorry about accident. Like the advice about trainer or other inside exercise while recuperating arm.

if you have a cast might not want to sweat too much although important to keep in good shape without risking arm (assume Apple made "left" a "jet"). Can you walk and will walking give you your exercise?

Besides a recumbent there are techniques for falling off a bike we should all know and do to lessen damage in some situations. Believe the experts suggest keeping arms on the bars and feet in the pedals and assuming one wears a helmet. Of course none of us are accident proof.

we all react differently to these situations. I have a friend who would ride regardless of the risks as riding is so important to him. YMMV.

Ed

B. Carfree

I assuming car accident means that you were driving your car when your mishap occurred. Is your physician considering restricting you from driving? It would make sense by the numbers since car wrecks are about as common as bike wrecks (depends on whether one goes per hour or per mile, but close enough for hand grenades).

Heal well and find some way to exercise that helps the healing when you are able to get mobile.

Steve B.

I don't think so. I rode a Vision short wheel base for a few years (prostate problems since resolved), and found them harder to control the balance. You were either upright and fine, or on your side and sliding on pavement. That happened 3 times to me. I think as a result of years of mt. biking, my balance is better on a diamond frame. Only good thing I found on a bent is no over-the-bar crashes, which again, as a result of better skills developed from mt. biking, hasn't happened on a road bike in over 20 years.

CrankyFranky

Double ouch!!! Heal fast. But I'm sure the healing won't be fast enough with spring almost here. Patience!

rumrunn6

got xrays? glad you are well and healing. can you take up walking? running? swimming?

George

Just seen this thread, sorry to hear about your misfortune, heal fast, the season are to short already.

Planemaker

No xrays yet. I was going to convert my times a week spinning class to outdoor riding. Now I will spin all summer and hope to get a bunch of miles in this fall.

Planemaker

I am having my first post surgery follow up on Monday. I feel great and have no pain. I was wondering what type of cast/brace I will be getting since I have stainless steel plates and screws holding the bones together (my appointment will 17 days post surgery). Further, the Orthopedic Resident said I couldn't ride for six months (risk of falling), is it possible with some sort of brace I could talk the Dr. into letting me ride sooner?

Daspydyr 

Sad report, you were off to a great start! I did something similar in 2010 and was off the bike for 6 months. Back now posting best times since 2008. You will be back, I know it.