Broken Bones, Recovery Time and Protection

[gbs]

How long before bones heal sufficiently from a clean break, to permit cycling and skiing?

I broke both bones in a multibike pileup and was successfully pinned and wired on Oct 10th. My next and final orthopaedic assessment is on Jan 18th when I hope to be given the all clear. The web sites seem to agree; typically they say 12 weeks for healing of upper body bones. Does anyone have the experience or knowledge to comment?

Is there any point in wearing a protective forearm brace for a few weeks? If so recommedations please.

PS: how do the pros manage? Didn't one complete two weeks of the TdF with a broken collarbone a few years ago?

 

[summerdays]

Pro's use oxygen and have lots of sport physiotherapy apparently to recover quicker.

Does the fact that it had to be wired make a difference? I just had a very small crack so was back on the bike almost immediately but only very short distances (50m the first time). Did you ask the doctors at the time? Problem is that Jan is going to be right in the middle of potentially icy and slippery conditions.

Hope it heals fast .. its frustrating not being able to cycle properly.

 

[ventoux50]

You need to go by the advice of your orthopaedic surgeon. A clean break without surgery is often straightforward in its healing. Surgical intervention can complicate things a bit . . . e.g. there are pins and wires - are they to be removed ? or are they there permanently ?

I would imagine that you have the arm in a cast at the moment ? if so when is it due to be removed ?

If it has been removed, then what advice did the hospital give you ? you should really follow their advice to give yourself the best chance of complete healing.

I would suggest that providing you don't 'load' the arm (i.e. place stress on it by leaning on handlebars/lifting heavy objects/ banging it etc) then you should be able to at least do some fitness work on the turbo or on a fitness bike at the gym ?

I know it's very frustrating when you can't do something you enjoy, but be patient (sorry for the pun !) and give the bones chance to repair properly - add to that the declining weather and take the opportunity to have a rest from riding for a while - you'll probably come back stronger after the lay off anyway.

 

[Wobblers]

It does take about 12 weeks for the bones to reach their normal strength. It might be possible to cycle before this: when I broke the bone at the base of my thumb I was back on the bike when the cast was removed 4 weeks after the fracture was wired (actually I did cycle occasionally even with the cast, which was probably rather naughty of me !). But I found it took another 2 months before I could use drops comfortably.

Probably best that you ask your doctor, tbh.

 

[gbs]

Thanks for the comments everybody. I was not clear in the OP - I anticipate being sufficiently patient to wait out the standard 12 week healing process until mid January.

The question re the brace still stands; I am thinking that I will use one for a few weeks after the anticipated all clear in January and for the family skiing week which we will postpone unti late February (16 weeks after the surgery) unless surgeon or forumites advise to the contrary. Although the surgeon said "good bones" I am inclined to be conservative. Are there any slimline versions that will fit under a l/s jersey/jacket?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

For you to enjoy yourself with sporting pastimes the problem is usually not so much how long it takes for the break to knit, which as you say is usually 10 - 14 weeks, but the consequences of the muscle atrophy that occurs whilst you're in a cast.

In my foolish yoof I was back on the rugby pitch 12 weeks after breaking bones on more than one occassion without bracing/support which, if the injury has healed you should not need.

As for how pro's cope. being born hard bastards with high pain thresholds probably helps.

 

[buggi]

my collar bone was fully healed in 6 weeks, and physio told me it was as strong as before.

[hated those 6 weeks tho!]

 

[Wobblers]

For you to enjoy yourself with sporting pastimes the problem is usually not so much how long it takes for the break to knit, which as you say is usually 10 - 14 weeks, but the consequences of the muscle atrophy that occurs whilst you're in a cast.

This.

It's not just the muscles: the joints tend to lose mobility too. You won't need a brace - the bones will be as strong - probably stronger, in fact - as before. You need to be exercising your wrist through its full movement range - a brace will impede this. Try and get physio for your wrist if you can. My one regret about breaking my hand is not insisting on proper physio: it would most likely have helped me get full movement in my wrist, and quicker.

 

[dalewheeler]

Fell off a few weeks back and broke a little finger. Having had x-rays and confirmed that everything is straight, I've been told to leave it a month from now before cycling.
Dale

 

[battered]

Depends. Nominally 3months, but I was mangled a year ago and I still suffer pain and lack of mobility in my wrist. It works, but I have to work on the mobility and strength.