One-handed typing next four weeks...

[MitralMan]

Radial head fracture, left arm yesterday. Got new bike, clipless pedals. So happy to be outside riding, forgot I was using them. Came to stop, simply keeled over. Broke fall w/ oustretched left hand. Bingo.

Perversity? It hurts someting fierce, but I'm STILL happy - 5 months post-op, and I'm OK!

 

[Phyllis]

Sorry to hear it, but it sure beats OH surgery. Hope you heal quickly and are back on that bike soon.

 

[bvdr]

Sorry about the fracture. It happens so fast and that extended arm is a natural reaction. I fell in our garage a few weeks back and since I was carrying a hose didn't get an arm out to break my fall. I fell directly on my shoulder but no broken bones. I was so thankful for not hitting my head as you probably are as well. This is my fourth week of packing in ice and pain meds. My arm can now fit into some of my normal clothes. My next ortho appointment is tomorrow. I hate orthopedic injuries as they take so long to heal. Are you in a hard cast?

 

[MitralMan]

Sling, icepacks, Vicodin

Sling, icepacks, Vicodin

"It's always something."

 

[geebee]

I had a co-worker years ago who went head first over the handle bars of his bike. Broke both arms and was in hard casts for 2 months. He had to have someone help him do EVERYTHING (even pee )

So, you are actually very lucky. Please take care and we will remember to forgive any typing errors.

 

[hensylee]

oops - !!!!! well, at least it wasn't both of them, like said above. Who'd do that for you? Feel better - watch out next time.

 

[Mary]

"It's always something."

I had to ask my son about the clipless pedals. I read him part of your post, and didn't get all the way finished before he said, "Big mistake (to stopping)"!
He then informed me that I should never try to ride a bike with "clipless pedals".
So I won't!
I hope you heal without any complications!

 

[MarkU]

There are two groups of riders who use clipless pedals: those who have crashed and and those who will...
I got mine about nine months ago and can't imagine riding without them now. I figure they're worth at least one to two miles per hour.
I had my "turn" a couple of months ago. I was in a bike lane approaching an intersection. A car turned right in front of me, cutting into the bike lane and forcing me onto the sidewalk. Out of habit, I unclipped my LEFT foot out of the pedal, but unfortunately I was falling to the RIGHT...fortunately (?) I bounced off of a mailbox which helped to break my fall. And of course, the car never stopped or slowed down...
Mark

 

[Raverlaw]

Hugh-

Wasn't I just telling you that the reason I hadn't gotten back on the bike yet was that I was scared of falling (being on warfarin and all)? And now you've gone and done it.

So... I guess you'll lead the pack in taking up one-armed rowing, right?

About 6 weeks after my surgery, I was outside puttering in the yard, trying to feel productive. I turned around and tripped over a concrete curb that I should have remembered was there... falling forward, I instinctively put out both hands. I didn't break anything, but the jolt to my still-recovering shoulders and sternum - OW! I thought I was going to pass out for a second there. I think I sat there on my knees for about five minutes trying to shake it off before I could stand up. I've done the failed track-stand fall, too, and know how much that can hurt. The last time I pulled that stunt I was smart enough (how can anyone who forgets to unclip be smart?) to not put my arm out- I just let my shoulder take the hit and tried to roll (not easy with a bike glued to your shoes).

Best wishes for a speedy recovery - stock up on that 8 hour Tylenol...

 

[BillCobit]

Radial head fracture, left arm yesterday. Got new bike, clipless pedals. So happy to be outside riding, forgot I was using them. Came to stop, simply keeled over. Broke fall w/ oustretched left hand. Bingo.

Perversity? It hurts someting fierce, but I'm STILL happy - 5 months post-op, and I'm OK!

D'OH! That's how I did it! Took me 2 falls before my sub-conscious got the hint for need to anticipate stops and click out ahead of time. Luckily for me, I didn't break anything. What's progno & activity restriction (if any) on the fracture?

So tell us all about this new bike...

 

[ar bee]

ouch - so row hearty is now definitely down to you raverlaw!!!

i'm a regular on the gym bike now (40 min), but i will need a few more weeks until I can support the group again!!

well2allofu
ar bee

 

[Sherry]

Yikes, Betty...

Yikes, Betty...

Betty, haven't you had problems with your shoulder before. Did you fall on the same one?

 

[bvdr]

Betty, haven't you had problems with your shoulder before. Did you fall on the same one?

Yes, Sherry....the very same one. I'm scheduled for an MRI Arthrogram on the 21st. The ortho thinks enough of the swelling and bruising will be gone by then to get a clear picture of the rotator cuff. I don't mind the bruising and swelling so much but I would love to get rid of the pain . How is your shoulder doing?

MitralMan, I still don't think I understand the pedals you were using. Were your feet strapped to the pedals?

 

[Granbonny]

Betty

Betty

Didn't you trip the first time over a garden hose? I think it is time for you to put in sprinklers.. I hope everything comes out good for you... Bonnie

 

[MitralMan]

I feel like a complete moron. But hey -- it could be a lot worse!

I feel like a complete moron. But hey -- it could be a lot worse!

Four weeks to heal, followed by PT for range of motion.

Trek 5000 carbon fiber - 19 lbs soaking wet. DOH is right!!

Or maybe I feel a bit like the black knight in Holy Grail -- I can't ride, I can't row, I can't play tennis, I can't play basketball -- but I can still WALK!!

 

[BillCobit]

Trek 5000 carbon fiber - 19 lbs soaking wet.

oooooooh! I got bike envy!

 

[MitralMan]

Betty, think of ski boots and bindings...

Betty, think of ski boots and bindings...

Yes, Sherry....the very same one. I'm scheduled for an MRI Arthrogram on the 21st. The ortho thinks enough of the swelling and bruising will be gone by then to get a clear picture of the rotator cuff. I don't mind the bruising and swelling so much but I would love to get rid of the pain . How is your shoulder doing?

MitralMan, I still don't think I understand the pedals you were using. Were your feet strapped to the pedals?

Now think: cycling shoes with special cleats that "click" into the pedals. NOW think: only way to get out of them is a peculiar, sudden side pivot. NOW think: I forgot all about them when I came to a stop.

SHEESH!

 

[MitralMan]

Yep, passing out definitely an option...

Yep, passing out definitely an option...

Hugh-

Wasn't I just telling you that the reason I hadn't gotten back on the bike yet was that I was scared of falling (being on warfarin and all)? And now you've gone and done it.

So... I guess you'll lead the pack in taking up one-armed rowing, right?

About 6 weeks after my surgery, I was outside puttering in the yard, trying to feel productive. I turned around and tripped over a concrete curb that I should have remembered was there... falling forward, I instinctively put out both hands. I didn't break anything, but the jolt to my still-recovering shoulders and sternum - OW! I thought I was going to pass out for a second there. I think I sat there on my knees for about five minutes trying to shake it off before I could stand up. I've done the failed track-stand fall, too, and know how much that can hurt. The last time I pulled that stunt I was smart enough (how can anyone who forgets to unclip be smart?) to not put my arm out- I just let my shoulder take the hit and tried to roll (not easy with a bike glued to your shoes).

Best wishes for a speedy recovery - stock up on that 8 hour Tylenol...

My daughter kept asking me if I was OK -- I knew she was asking, I just couldn't answer as the ground started to rush toward me (and this was AFTER I picked myself up). But didn't want to pass out in front of her -- willed myself not to do it.

When I'm not wincing, I'm laughing at myself.

I think I won't try motorcycles.

 

[MitralMan]

NOW you tell me!

NOW you tell me!

There are two groups of riders who use clipless pedals: those who have crashed and and those who will...
I got mine about nine months ago and can't imagine riding without them now. I figure they're worth at least one to two miles per hour.
I had my "turn" a couple of months ago. I was in a bike lane approaching an intersection. A car turned right in front of me, cutting into the bike lane and forcing me onto the sidewalk. Out of habit, I unclipped my LEFT foot out of the pedal, but unfortunately I was falling to the RIGHT...fortunately (?) I bounced off of a mailbox which helped to break my fall. And of course, the car never stopped or slowed down...
Mark

Maybe clips aren't so bad after all...

 

[MitralMan]

Mary, darned fine idea to forget about clipless pedals!

Mary, darned fine idea to forget about clipless pedals!

I had to ask my son about the clipless pedals. I read him part of your post, and didn't get all the way finished before he said, "Big mistake (to stopping)"!
He then informed me that I should never try to ride a bike with "clipless pedals".
So I won't!
I hope you heal without any complications!

Thanks for your wishes -- I know I'll be fine!