How Bad Is It Doctor?
08-20-13, 03:32 PM
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How Bad Is It Doctor?
As I was riding my road bike, I decided to stand to increase acceleration, and what do you know--my foot slipped off the pedal. I managed to regain control of the bike mid-traffic while seated firmly on the top tube, but not before taking a nice lashing by the pedals on the back of my Achilles tendon.
I immediately put some tea tree oil on it when I got home, then some ice. It's a bit swollen at the moment, and it doesn't seem like the wound higher on my calf has any skin left...
So, what's your take? Mine is: **** bare platform pedals, standing up, and I really hope this heals without $professional$ intervention. I think I will only ride bikes with some form of cage or clipless system from now on.
Last edited by Distinguished; 08-20-13 at 04:02 PM.
08-20-13, 03:54 PM
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Use a bactin or other antibiotic cream as well for the first few days. Lightly bandage and keep it clean until the skin fuses together. Other than that, not much you can do. The body is an amazing healing machine!
08-20-13, 04:10 PM
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A few people, my dermatologist included, mentioned that I should avoid letting skin damage scab; is there truth to that? I always thought this advice was a load of %$#@; like you said, the body is an amazing healing machine.
Last edited by Distinguished; 08-20-13 at 04:24 PM.
08-20-13, 04:27 PM
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+1, so long as it doesn't get infected.
OP, I don't think tea tree oil is standard practice down at the ER. I'd give conventional antiseptics a spin if I were you.
OP, I don't think tea tree oil is standard practice down at the ER. I'd give conventional antiseptics a spin if I were you.
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08-20-13, 04:29 PM
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I wrecked about a month and a half ago doing 30 mph across the pavement. Severe road rash and a gaping hole in my left forearm underside. It all scabbed and is totally almost healed. Oh you can tell where I wrecked due to the discoloration of the smooth scar but I find these things a badge of honor. I also nearly severed my right hand a decade ago in a work accident with a machete............scars to this day from the surgeon reattaching nerves; tendons; and the skin scar to go along with it. Shows how hard I work......
Now my dermatologist when they take off a suspicious skin area if need be from the sun or other will have me use vasoline on the wound for about a week so it does not scab. Never understood why but I just do what he says. Never a issue but it looks the same as my arm that I let scab.
So in a sense................two different methods to treat but same results in scarring. Go figure.
Now my dermatologist when they take off a suspicious skin area if need be from the sun or other will have me use vasoline on the wound for about a week so it does not scab. Never understood why but I just do what he says. Never a issue but it looks the same as my arm that I let scab.
So in a sense................two different methods to treat but same results in scarring. Go figure.
08-20-13, 04:47 PM
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Not letting it scab is to help prevent scarring... meh.
OP: I'm old enough (48) to be starting in with the "well you know, young feller" type sermons.... I just can't help myself. Sheepish grin. So with that said, you know young feller you want to be real careful about injuries that make you limp; limping is bad juju for other parts of the body. So, if the Achilles messes up your walking, use a crutch or cane (!) for a few days until you can walk normally.
This is especially important with the knee and hip, when using them while an injury has them pulled out of proper orientation can cause a world of hurt in the form of cartilage or sac injuries, separate from the original injury.
All IMHO. Not a doctor, just have BTDT more than a few times with injuries.
Good luck healing up!!
OP: I'm old enough (48) to be starting in with the "well you know, young feller" type sermons.... I just can't help myself. Sheepish grin. So with that said, you know young feller you want to be real careful about injuries that make you limp; limping is bad juju for other parts of the body. So, if the Achilles messes up your walking, use a crutch or cane (!) for a few days until you can walk normally.
This is especially important with the knee and hip, when using them while an injury has them pulled out of proper orientation can cause a world of hurt in the form of cartilage or sac injuries, separate from the original injury.
All IMHO. Not a doctor, just have BTDT more than a few times with injuries.
Good luck healing up!!
08-20-13, 05:23 PM
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08-20-13, 05:25 PM
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Tis but a scratch.
Neosporin will keep it from scabbing.
Neosporin will keep it from scabbing.
08-20-13, 05:30 PM
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Wife spent a few months at the wound clinic for a wound that would not heal. They used Honeybutter (really, google it!). It was better than all the other ointments we had tried. Also, no scab. If one started, they took it off. No scars and the wounds were pretty bad.
Oh yes....+1 Clipless
Oh yes....+1 Clipless
08-20-13, 05:46 PM
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08-20-13, 05:50 PM
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08-20-13, 05:51 PM
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08-20-13, 05:57 PM
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It's a multi-purpose essential oil derived from Paperbark trees in Australia, known for its strong antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiseptic properties. I usually either use this or Aloe Vera.
Unless if the cut/wound is massive, at which point I'd just go get stitches.
Unless if the cut/wound is massive, at which point I'd just go get stitches.
Last edited by Distinguished; 08-20-13 at 06:04 PM.
08-20-13, 06:05 PM
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08-20-13, 07:30 PM
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Using tegaderm is very circumstantial. I for one have only had bad luck with it. I took a chunk out of my hand and elbows last summer and tried using tegaderm. It keeps the wound really wet and I was constantly leaking from under the tegaderm and the without any scab the wound does not harden at all. Making mobility a huge issue. Scars really are not that bad.
08-20-13, 10:25 PM
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'Tis a mere scratch. Irrigate with sterile saline (or whatever you've got), toss some antibiotic cream in and seal it with a butterfly bandage to minimize the scar width. Watch for infection and get a better pedal system. (Says the guy with the two inch long half inch wide scar just below the calf muscle; yeah, you could see the connective tissue when that one was open.)
08-20-13, 11:26 PM
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I split my bottom lip in half completely 2.5 weeks ago and was afraid I'd have a nasty scar for the rest of my life. I've kept neosporin on it 24/7 since I got home from the stitching and already the scar is BARELY visible. I'm pretty sure it'll be nonexistent within 12mo so yes, do whatever it takes to prevent scabbing. I'm no 'wear the scar as a badge of honor' type and like to take care of myself so I'm pretty happy.
I used to ride platforms and they gave me a scrape or two as well. I switched to the Wellgo R146 and have never had that issue again, plus the pedal feels very solid, grippy and comfortable on the foot. I'm not ready for clipless yet commuting near so many cars everyday so this pedal fit the bill perfectly. Wellgo also makes several similar variations so give their line up a look.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006WR...sr=8-2&pi=SL75
Heal well!
I used to ride platforms and they gave me a scrape or two as well. I switched to the Wellgo R146 and have never had that issue again, plus the pedal feels very solid, grippy and comfortable on the foot. I'm not ready for clipless yet commuting near so many cars everyday so this pedal fit the bill perfectly. Wellgo also makes several similar variations so give their line up a look.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006WR...sr=8-2&pi=SL75
Heal well!
08-20-13, 11:34 PM
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That's so minor.. If you have to do something, scrub it, Neosporin (from a new tube) or otherwise, nonstick pad over the gooey parts and wrap it up. My leg, I wouldn't do anything but clean it up and leave it alone once the bleeding stopped so I didn't make a mess of anything. I look worse after a weekend of mountain biking.
That said, generally speaking it's not likely the tea tree oil you dumped on it was sterile by any means, not always a good idea to use that kind of stuff on open wounds.
That said, generally speaking it's not likely the tea tree oil you dumped on it was sterile by any means, not always a good idea to use that kind of stuff on open wounds.