Today, I rode for half a mile

[Asa Post]

I rode on the turbo. It took me 11 minutes and 20 seconds. It was my first ride since falling on ice on 18th November, and breaking the neck of my right femur (Garden IV, for those who understand these things). The next day, they operated to screw the bits of bone back together and told me that I'd never regain 100% of my strength and mobility.

I'm still on crutches. I need strong painkillers to get a decent night's sleep. I'm having physiotherapy and hydrotherapy at the hospital. I'm self-administering aromatherapy and using a TENS machine. I have lots of exercises to do several times a day.

But I can walk (sort of). And now, with the surgeon's approval, I can cycle. Pedaling hurts, but it will improve.

I WILL get back to where I was before the accident. I WILL cycle as often, as far, and as fast as I ever did.

Nil desperandum.

 

[Steve H]

As I read your post, my mind went from "That's pathetic" to "That's Amazing!" as I got from the first sentence to the last.

Excellent determination! Keep it up - you will get there.

 

[Paddygt]

That's the spirit, good on ya, inspiring.

 

[Arsen Gere]

It's a start, keep it up and you'll be back on the road again. Turbo's are under rated, stronger - faster - harder - longer, thats what Mrs Gere says anyway.

 

[User16625]

Best of luck old boy! I admire your determination. I would probably swig cider all day if I was in the same position.

 

[FreeFlow Bikes]

Good Luck and with that determination, you WILL cycle again!

 

[Saluki]

Good for you. Well done & keep up the good work.
I have just got home from work and was going to cycle but its snowing like anything. I am fit and healthy and not going to cycle even 1/4 mile today!
You have more get up and go than I have. Take it steady and don't over push yourself.

 

[Banjo]

Good Luck with the recovery, certainly sounds like your determined to get through it.

 

[Hip Priest]

Having the right attitude is half the battle.

Keep us posted.

 

[sdr gb]

I broke my right femoral neck and femur in 2007 so you have my sympathies with what you are currently going through.

The only lack of mobility issue I've encountered is that I can no longer swing my right leg high enough over the bike to get on it. I received very little physio after my accident so you may be okay

Just a quick word of advice. You might find the leg you broke is now a bit shorter than your good leg (mine is), so you may have to drop your saddle a bit to get a comfier riding position.

Good luck with the recovery. Take it steady and you'll soon be back riding at the levels you were at before your accident.

 

[Asa Post]

Thanks to all for the good wishes, likes and support

As I read your post, my mind went from "That's pathetic" to "That's Amazing!" as I got from the first sentence to the last.

"Pathetic" is the exact word I used myself, Steve. I wouldn't agree with "Amazing", though. "Stubborn" is nearer the mark.

Turbo's are under rated, stronger - faster - harder - longer.

I love mine. I rode it a lot before the accident, and now I'd be lost without it. It will be a long time before I'm safe to ride on the road.

Take it steady and don't over push yourself.

This is the big danger, according to the physiotherapist. I was quickly identified as "one of those who doesn't know when to stop"

Keep us posted.

If there's something significant, whether good or bad, I'll report it. At the moment I'm just trying to maintain the half mile rides until I can do them without stopping.

I broke my right femoral neck and femur in 2007 so you have my sympathies with what you are currently going through.

The only lack of mobility issue I've encountered is that I can no longer swing my right leg high enough over the bike to get on it. I received very little physio after my accident so you may be okay

Just a quick word of advice. You might find the leg you broke is now a bit shorter than your good leg (mine is), so you may have to drop your saddle a bit to get a comfier riding position.

I knew I wouldn't be the first CCer to go through this. It's encouraging to hear from someone who has been there and made a good recovery.
You're right about mounting the bike. I can't do it. I cheat by putting an aerobic step next to the bike, standing on it and then swinging my leg round. That won't work on the road, though . Any tips?
And you're right about the short leg as well, though I'm told it might have been short before the crash as lots of people have legs of different length. If it doesn't readjust itself as the leg heals, I've been told I can have an orthotic insert. Does dropping the saddle cause problems with the good leg? I wondered about it hurting the knee. I've dropped mine about 2cm, but I hope it's only a temporary fix. Especially as the bit that hurts about riding is raising the injured leg to the top of the pedaling circle, and dropping the saddle decreases the angle between thigh and torso, and so increases the strain on the hip and groin.

If anyone has any advice re bike setup, training plans for recovery, mobility exercises or anything else that might help, I'd love to hear it. The physios I've seen are good people, but they aren't cyclists and I think that at some point I'll be left to devise my own treatment.

 

[Steve H]

I'm no expert, but I reckon the old adage "Little and Often" would best be applied. Do something everyday, but don't over stretch yourself

 

[sdr gb]

That won't work on the road, though . Any tips?

Stand on the pavement with your bike on the road, using the pavement as a substitute for the aerobic step (hope this makes sense). This way you won't have to lean the bike over as far if you need a bit more clearance. Alternatively, I get on the bike from the other side swinging my good leg over.

I didn't really notice any problems with dropping the saddle affecting my uninjured leg. The only thing I can say is to find what works best for you as everybody's different. I still ride with the saddle slightly lower than it it was pre-accident and have had no problems with the good leg. Doing stretching exercises is also a big help.

As for a training plan, just do as much as you feel like doing but don't overdo it. When I started on the turbo, it took me longer to get on the damn thing than the actual time i could ride it for. Don't become fixated with times, distance etc, just concentrate on building the muscles back up and the rest will follow. If you feel any new pains or major discomfort, then stop. The pain and discomfort do get easier, honest.

Try to stay positive and not get frustrated.

 

[Biker Joe]

I really admire your guts and determination.
I wish you well

 

[Wobblers]

Well done!

It's only two months since your break: that's a very short time, so you're still in the early stages of the recovery. It was two months before I could get on the bike after breaking an ankle, so it sounds like you're progressing well. The best advice that I can give you is to treat the physio's advice as gospel: the orthopedic surgeon may have fixed the bones, but it'll be your physio that'll get you moving again. Do all the exercises that you're given religiously, but don't overdo it - your leg will give you plenty of notice when you push things a bit too far. The other thing is progress may be slower than you'd like - only now after 6 months can I really walk properly over short distances - so be patient and don't over exert yourself. You will get there in the end. Good luck!