Cycling with fixed broken spine...good idea?

[caw]

Hi, my name is chris.


I love cycling, I suppose most people using this forum do. I cycled every day, between 10 and 60 miles. Obsessed would be the best word.
I used it to commute, exercise, enjoyment, but most of all, it was my freedom. I am a product design student, a very demanding course, so cycling used to give me a break now and again. My favourite get away was to blackheath, just to sit and ponder.
Anyway, this was all good until the 22nd June 2010.

I was cycling around Greenhithe, Crossway Boulevard (around Bluewater). It was around the start of evening rush hour, beautiful sunny day (from what I remember). I think I was training for the London Bikathon 2010. Anyway, next thing I know, I wake up 3 weeks later at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechaple. I am still not sure what had happened to me. witness reports seem to suggest a driver speeding off a roundabout, down the dual carriage way I was on (in a cycle lane, may I add), when he lost control. He spun out, three rotations. The first through me 10 metres into the next lane to which another on coming car narrowly missed me (I've seen the forensic photos, skid marks show that). His car totalled with a tree on the third rotation.

Turns out I was worked on and anaesthetised by a medical member from the HEMs helicopter service, worked on for about an hour. I passed out from blood loss.
After waking, and a few weeks of ICU and HDU treatment, I learned that I had:

> fractured my skull with severe brain damage
> seven major arterial bleeds, requiring blood transfusion of 64 pints the first night, and 32 pints by the second
> broke my spine in three places
> broke both my hips.
> ruptured and lacerated all internal organs, still having weakened bladder problems
> severe trauma to the chest
> 12 minutes resuscitation
> lost the gluteus maximus muscle (left cheek)
> Heavily scarred
> thought I wouldn't walk again, but I am and doing well.
> weight loss from 12 stone to 8.5 stone (bare in mind I am 6ft 7 inch)

Three months later, I was home, still under physio. I wasn't supposed to survive. In fact, no one had, according to the surgeons, under the condition I was under. Its cause physical and emotional problems, not just for me, but family and friends. I have recently got the all clear to drive, as no permanent damage was found through the MRI scan.

A quick life story, and it leads down to the question; should I get back on a bike again? If I wanted to, is there another sporting element of cycling I could take to, safe from the threatening traffic of London and Kent roads?
Also, when answering, take into account that I still have fractured spine close to the spinal chord. A heavy blow could loose my lower body for good.

 

[Globalti]

I think I might stay in bed a bit longer if I was you.

 

[caw]

I think I might stay in bed a bit longer if I was you.

Its been nearly 8 months (I think). I've maxed out on the exercise bike, with ankle weights for an hour every morning (for the last 4 months). Just isn't the same though

 

[david1701]

shoot, that sucks

erm, do you have off road cycle paths up in the city, round here there are 5-20km stretches off track without cars on. Maybe velodrome type stuff as its fast but not road?

No one tell my mum I read this as I need to go back to telling her that cycling is safe

 

[Fixedwheelnut]

I would say chat with your Doc/consultant first or find a cycle friendly one and see what they say.

It sounds like you should stick to the Turbo for a bit longer though at least until it is fully healed.

Might also be worth contacting Dan Joyce, editor of CTC Cycle Magazine he cycled after a few back op's


If they do say yes you are not far from the new Cycle park path built on the old A2 stretch that has been diverted by the A227 at Meopham, we have had a few Club runs down there to see what it is like all though it wasn't fully open it should be good when done.

Good luck
Steve

 

[Brandane]

A heavy blow could loose my lower body for good.

Sorry to hear about your injuries sustained through no fault of your own.

I take my hat off to you for even thinking about getting back on a bike after that experience.

If it was me, I would be taking the advice of your medical professionals to the letter. If they say it's ok, then it's ok. But your final line which I quoted would be the answer to your own question if I were in your shoes.....

Good luck with the recovery, sounds like you've had a hard fight and done well thus far.

 

[Panter]

Sorry to hear about your injuries sustained through no fault of your own.

I take my hat off to you for even thinking about getting back on a bike after that experience.

If it was me, I would be taking the advice of your medical professionals to the letter. If they say it's ok, then it's ok. But your final line which I quoted would be the answer to your own question if I were in your shoes.....

Good luck with the recovery, sounds like you've had a hard fight and done well thus far.

Absolutely +1 to this.

If that's a final diagnostic, then personally, I wouldn't do it. Not unless it was gently pootles on a smooth off-road cyclepath.
Saying that though, it's easy to sit behind a keyboard and make a snap decision like that, if it were me, I really don't know what I'd do I suppose, it's all about balancing quality of life.

Anyway, glad you're (relatively) up and about, sounds absolutely horrendous. My very best wishes to you for the future

 

[caw]

shoot, that sucks

erm, do you have off road cycle paths up in the city, round here there are 5-20km stretches off track without cars on. Maybe velodrome type stuff as its fast but not road?

No one tell my mum I read this as I need to go back to telling her that cycling is safe

Got a park, but I'd need to invest in some off road wheels. Velodrome was a possible solution i was considering.

 

[Globalti]

What happens to the lost muscle tissue? Does it regenerate?

You're an inspiration to others anyway.

 

[PpPete]

I'm no expert either in medical matters or indeed recumbents - but would a recumbent trike be a safer option (at least for a while) ? I sort of imagine that if the seat is right it would provide good support for your back - and pretty hard to fall off them.

There are several riders of 'bents on this forum, some of whom have (I believe) been obliged to abandon uprights because of various medical conditions..

 

[Rouge Penguin]

Talk to your consultant and ask. I'd probably stick to quiet parks with smooth roads. Or as suggested velodrome.

 

[asterix]

Cycling or not you are doing exceedingly well in the circumstances. The question is are you aware of the extent of the effects of the head injury besides the emotional ones?

In 2005 I suffered a head injury which led to damage to the frontal lobes so I have some idea of those problems. Unfortunately those treating me did not realise this because the impact was to the back of my head and they did not do any neuropsychological test or even any form of physiotherapy. Just x-rays and a couple of MRI scans. Six months after I was told I would be fine to drive but a minor accident on a roundabout made me realise that I had lost some ability in this respect and that I would have to re-learn it.

Late 2007 I was on a trip into town when I tried to cross the grass verge from the road to the cycle track. This would have been fine if I had not 'forgotten' to slow down. The upshot was that I hit the ground hard and broke 2 neck vertebrae and one in my upper back. Fortunately I lay absolutely still and was helped very intelligently by a passer by who called the ambulance. I was 8 weeks lying prone in hospital with another 6 wearing an instrument of torture aka a 'halo'. Due to the nature of the damage they did not want to put any pins in. My neck and back are pretty much back to normal: I can lift heavy stuff no problem, I have slight difficulty turning and also background aches after much use. An intensive neuropsychological test showed the cognitive problems that arose from my first accident which include memory problems and also difficulties in concentrating. I seriously doubt that the MRI scan could have detected such things; if it could, no-one told me!

After all this, I have most certainly continued to lead a very active life including doing the raid Pyrenean last year, BUT I have to be very careful how I approach things. Whilst I occasionally cycle in traffic I make every effort to avoid it because I find it stressful. I could not do a daily commute through traffic. Driving is much easier but I have learnt to concentrate very single mindedly on it - no tuning radios or CD changing for me.

James Cracknell was unlucky enough to suffer the same sort of damage and was interviewed on TV recently. He described what it was like very well.

Whilst in hospital I met someone who had very similar injuries to yours after his car went under the back of a lorry at speed. Whilst his physical recovery was going well his morale was badly effected and he was making no effort even to get back on his feet. So full marks to you!

 

[fimm]

There's a woman in my triathlon club who was knocked off her bike. Her injuries were not as severe as yours, but I think she did have some brain damage, and also damage to her spine. She has decided not to ride a bike again. This was possibly an easier decision for her, as she was a runner originally, she's been working more on her swimming and will do some aquathons (swim/run races) as well as running.

I'm offering this as an anecdote. I have no idea what I would do if I was in your situation.

(We happened to do the same half marathon last autumn as she was a good 10 minutes (or more) faster than me (I ran 1:42, and I'm pretty sure she ran 1:3x) - I'd guess she's also 10 years older than me...)

 

[Scoosh]

caw (Chris) and

to CycleChat

What an amazing tale of woe

, fortitude

and hope

!


As PpPete has said, a recumbent might be worth a look. They have the advantage of more support for your back, more comfort and no balance issues (if a trike

).


Keep us posted on how you get on.

Survey completed too

 

[caw]

Cycling or not you are doing exceedingly well in the circumstances. The question is are you aware of the extent of the effects of the head injury besides the emotional ones?

In 2005 I suffered a head injury which led to damage to the frontal lobes so I have some idea of those problems. Unfortunately those treating me did not realise this because the impact was to the back of my head and they did not do any neuropsychological test or even any form of physiotherapy. Just x-rays and a couple of MRI scans. Six months after I was told I would be fine to drive but a minor accident on a roundabout made me realise that I had lost some ability in this respect and that I would have to re-learn it.

Late 2007 I was on a trip into town when I tried to cross the grass verge from the road to the cycle track. This would have been fine if I had not 'forgotten' to slow down. The upshot was that I hit the ground hard and broke 2 neck vertebrae and one in my upper back. Fortunately I lay absolutely still and was helped very intelligently by a passer by who called the ambulance. I was 8 weeks lying prone in hospital with another 6 wearing an instrument of torture aka a 'halo'. Due to the nature of the damage they did not want to put any pins in. My neck and back are pretty much back to normal: I can lift heavy stuff no problem, I have slight difficulty turning and also background aches after much use. An intensive neuropsychological test showed the cognitive problems that arose from my first accident which include memory problems and also difficulties in concentrating. I seriously doubt that the MRI scan could have detected such things; if it could, no-one told me!

After all this, I have most certainly continued to lead a very active life including doing the raid Pyrenean last year, BUT I have to be very careful how I approach things. Whilst I occasionally cycle in traffic I make every effort to avoid it because I find it stressful. I could not do a daily commute through traffic. Driving is much easier but I have learnt to concentrate very single mindedly on it - no tuning radios or CD changing for me.

James Cracknell was unlucky enough to suffer the same sort of damage and was interviewed on TV recently. He described what it was like very well.

Whilst in hospital I met someone who had very similar injuries to yours after his car went under the back of a lorry at speed. Whilst his physical recovery was going well his morale was badly effected and he was making no effort even to get back on his feet. So full marks to you!

Hi Asterix, firstly I am sorry to hear of your accident.

I have had several outpatient appointments with my neurologist. He even put me through for another MRI, as he seemed confused to why no problems existed. Most the damage was in the frontal lobe, four main areas. I haven't had any problems of memory loss, none from the norm anyway and seem to be the same old Christopher as before. Just a little more stressed and agitated. This is understandable though. My main advantage (if it can be said like that), was my age. I was only 20 (21 now) when it occurred, so apparently the neurons and synapses (and all the brain science) "re-routed" itself. The brain can do this up till your early 30's I believe (don't quote me on that though).

Thing is, and probably for the best, I am missing 3 weeks of my life. I have no mental recognition of the accident. Hopefully I will learn in the trial coming up.

I have heard of the James Cracknell case recently. Not everyone is lucky Gary Mason died (from head injury) and so did that young art student in London, quite recently. I hope you all wear helmets. I hate to sound like a nagging mother, but i'm thankful to listening to my aunt in wearing one.

But thank you for your story and advise