Redhed 

As of right this moment my knee is swollen, missing a lot of skin, my elbow is missing most of its skin and it is swollen. The crash was just about 20 minutes ago. It must have looked bad to onlookers because several people stopped and asked if I was ok. The guy in the truck asked me three times, "Are you ok? That's a lot of blood!" I said, "I think my bike is OK."

I must have hit the ground hard, because it completely reset my computer. (Has this happened to anyone?)

So now, ego broken by a 2 inch curb, I ask fellow Bikeforums people, "How long before I can ride again?" When any of you had really ugly accidents (but no broken bones) how long? I am pretty tough, I can handle a lot of pain, but the knee is what I am worried about, it is huge!!! :irritated :irritated :irritated

WorldIRC

im glad u or urr bike are not seriously injured and you are doing ok. I suggest you see your physician though just to get his prognosis to be sure you are ok. If you are in a lot of pain perhaps you should go to the ER.

just my $0.02

Trek2Kgirl

Ouch! Sounds like you're pretty banged up.

I agree--definitely get to your doctor to be checked. You'll feel the results of the crash more in the next few days. And especially with your knee and elbow, you'll want to have them checked out to make sure there's no serious injuries. When a joint like a knee or elbow takes an impact on a crash, you can not only cause a bone to break or chip, but you can also do soft tissue damage that will cause you problems down the road.

Also, even though you've no doubt done a visual inspection on your bike, be sure to have it checked thoroughly by your local bike shop to make sure it's safe to ride. A crash causes stress to the bike and there could be damage that you may not see but that a bike mechanic will see.

I was hit by a car last April and thankfully walked away without any broken bones. So I had my bike checked by my LBS the next morning and got right back out that evening for a short ride. I did end up pretty sore and achy for the next couple of weeks, and had to go for physical therapy for soft tissue injuries to my knee.

Take it slow and only do what you feel up to doing. With a bad crash like this one, it's not necessarily a matter of being tough enough to handle pain, it's more a matter of listen to your body and giving it what it needs. Get the all-clear from your doctor and LBS before doing any serious riding. In the mean time, ice those injuries to keep the swelling down.

Take care!

aerobat

Glad you're ok, too! Sounds like a rough one!

If you haven't already use the RICE method - Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate.

Hopefully that will keep the swelling down a bit, but if you have any problems that last, call a doctor.

rockymtn_girl

Sorry to hear about your crash, but you know what they say.... that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Not to mention the great conversation starter you'll have for the next month or so (explaining how you got that road rash!).

Here's wishing you a speedy recovery!

p.s. I would have the knee checked out though just to be on the safe side.

Guillermo

Def see your physician if there's anything deep at all. You don't want any infections complicating the healing process. You want to be back on your bike as soon as you can right!?

I recently had a decent wreck, sounds similar to yours. I am happy to say I recovered quickly, and so will you

Dax

mechBgon

Yeah, get to the doctor. You only get one body per lifetime, so there's nothing wrong with erring on the side of caution.

joeprim

Hopefully you mean you bike computer not your hairtoped computer

Hope you're better quick. Have you tried riding? Can you put weight on you foot with the swollen knee? Should you have it checked out/xrayed? But if nothing is broken start riding if it doesn't hurt keep riding.

Joe

MikeR

I agree about the doctor.

Using an injured knee to soon and too hard can cause Bursitis. If you get that, it could be months off the bike.

Trust me – I know from experience. It’s almost a year later and I still have to baby my one knee.

Richard D

Glad you're basically okay.

At least take it easy for a while.

Richard

Inkwolf

Poor ol' Redhed!

Let us know how you're getting on. Hope you're back in pedalling shape quickly!

Greg

Glad you're still with us Redhed.

Go to the Doctor.

You want to do all you can to insure you're able to have many more years on the bike.

This could mean weeks off the bike.:irritated

Redhed 

OK, minus a lot of skin the swelling is down, and I am still icing it up today just to be sure. I can put weight on it and I think I will take it easy tonight and try to cycle tomorrow. I will call the doctor just to be sure, and see what he says.

This is why I love Bikeforums. You guys made me feel better. As for the computer, I wonder if Specialized can help me with that. I guess I will have to reset the whole thing. It is a Specialized Pro, it has the cadence function but I could never get it to work, maybe it works now..... Does anyone else have one of these? Any problems?

Thanks for all the support, I love you guys!!!!

tmayder

I had an accident like yours about this time last year. I hadn't been on the bike for more than a mile and was about to go onto a 2" curb into a driveway. Wham! I went down so hard and fast that I just layed there for a minute wondering what happened. I had plenty of road rash down one side, but after a few days it became difficult to raise the arm that I fell on. I went to the doctor who told me I had strained what he called the 'slingshot' muscle that goes from about the shoulder blade, over the shoulder and into the arm. There wasn't anything that could be done about it and he told me it would take 6 months to heal. It took about 9 months.

So yes, I agree with others that you should see a doctor... sometimes it takes a few days before the injuries show themselves.

Cheers!
Linda

RainmanP

Having tasted the pavement myself last week I can sympathize. Get well soon.

Be sure to rinse that road rash thoroughly at least once a day with hydrogen peroxide then slather it with plenty of Neosporin, Polysporin or store brand triple antibiotic ointment and cover with gauze and tape (mainly to keep the ointment off your clothes). The ointment will protect against infection, speed healing and reduce scarring.

lotek 

Redhead,

Sorry to hear of your crash. Ouch!
I think the main problem with the roadrash will be
tightening of the skin on and around the wound. I'd expect
some loss of flexibility for a while (skin, not muscle/skeleton).
If the swelling has gone down, and you're not
experiencing any deep pain I'd say try a light spin
tomorrow, and RICE as stated above.
Best Advice I can give is DON'T PUSH IT. allow yourself
time to heal...
Get well soon
Marty

Trek2Kgirl

I've got the same computer. I find that the cadence sensor magnet on the crank needs to be positioned just so in order for it to work. If you have a workstand, put your bike in it (if not, have someone hold it up by the saddle), nudge the cadence sensor, and spin the cranks. Keep nudging and spinning until you get a cadence readout. Keep in mind that it will take a few revolutions of the pedals in order for a readout to appear. Once you get the positioning of the sensor right, mark it somehow so you can fix it if it happens to slip. I end up having to reset my cadence sensor just about every time I clean my bike. Because of the shape of the cranks, it's hard to get the sensor to stay put.

As far as the computer resetting itself, it sounds like you may have lost your settings. I've never had that happen, but I find that the computer is pretty sensitive. If I take it off the bike and it gets bounced around at all, it'll show crazy numbers like a maximum speed of 200 mph. Now I love going fast, but I know I've never gone THAT fast! Anyhoo, try setting the computer up again and see if it works. Check with Specialized, too.

Be good to yourself!

Sue

Pete Clark

Oh, no!

I am so sorry!

Your body will heal, just pamper it!

(and see doc)

oceanrider

Glad nothing seriously injured Redhed. I almost joined you when I had an unplanned drift biking moment. Wasn't paying attention and I rode over a thin layer of black mud. Thought for sure I was going to be eating road dirt but managed a good save.

How'd it happen girl?

Redhed 

It happened with a 2 inch curb, and toe clips. I couldn't get my foot out fast enough to catch myself. I found the ground quickly and my knee and elbow took the impact. A guy in a truck kept asking me if I was OK and saying "That is a lot of blood". It was a lot of blood, but I didn't need the observation.

My knee and elbow are still sore but I am going to ride after work today and test it out. I can't wait!!! I am keeping it light, to see what I can do. I am now known as CRASH by people at work, and my s/o keeps rubbing it in.