Broken foot

[Grits]

More specifically, it is a fracture at the base of the second metatarsal. In a boot and on crutches for six weeks or so. Going back to orthopedist in two weeks for a second set of weight bearing x-rays.

I was 20 miles into the 100 mile route on the MS Ride in New Bern, NC on Sat. when a rider up ahead skidded on some sand causing a chain reaction behind him. A rider on my team went down right in front of me, and then I hit her. She was moving pretty fast when she went down and got some horrific road rash, but was able to keep riding. I hit her bike, which stopped my momentum, but my foot didn't unclip and twisted resulting in the fracture.

I got sagged in (trying so hard not to cry from disappointment) and taken to an Express Care and was out the rest of the ride, of course. Interestingly, the radiologist who looked at my x-rays said I did not have a fracture, just a sprain. They were ready to send me out with a splint kind of thing, no crutches, when I could not put any weight on my foot at all. The doctor (who happened to be a cyclist) disagreed with him and treated me as a fracture anyway. The orthopedist, looking at the same films yesterday, said there was absolutely no question it was a fracture, so hmmmm.

The MS folk were great (well, except for the elderly SAG driver who parked SO far away from the medic tent to avoid riders milling around the rest stop, and then I had to hop on one foot forever holding onto the shoulders of strangers who came to my aid. He was nice enough, just clueless). MS volunteers drove me to the Express Care and then to my hotel when I was finished.

So here I sit watching movies on Roku and playing on my computer. I ordered a Kindle yesterday. This sucks.

[jessmarimba]

:(

I hope you heal quickly. Glad they (finally!) figured out what was really wrong! Let us know if you need anything...Kindle was a good idea.

[OakLeaf]

Aw, bummer. :( Heal up quick.

[Blueberry]

Awwww Grits - I'm so sorry:( Hang in there.....

I had a really bad feeling about that ride this year (something about the description of riding around debris piles and the fact that that area is still in rough shape from the hurricane), so DH and I didn't go at the last minute.

Probably a good idea since I'm still having problems from my injury from last year. I crashed at the finish line on the first day. I had stopped (behind a stopped car at a red light) and was clipped out. Someone crashed into me and grabbed me in an effort to stop herself from going down (I know this because she announced it). She separated my A/C joint when she pulled me down by my arm, and I'm still having pain in the shoulder. Interestingly, after they released me from the Med Tent the MS folks never followed up (other than to tell me my fundraising this year was deficient:rolleyes:).

[redrhodie]

Ouch! Get well soon! That sounds like a horrible crash.

[Biciclista]

aw, sorry get well soon!

[Zippinalong]

Oh boy, that really stinks. Wishes for a speedy recovery!

[Tokie]

Are you non weight bearing now? I'm recovering from a broken ankle. My salvation has been my kneeling scooter ( bought online from an eBay store) Cost 300$, worth every cent - you can use your hands! My ins paid 60%, w/ a "letter of medical necessity" from my MD. I was on crutches for 8 weeks. I am still using it to walk the dogs(1 at a time) & go to the gym(3 blocks away). My ankle is really sore & it will take me weeks to get back to something like normal. I also bought a La Fuma lounge chair online for 89$ - good for leg elevation w/out killing my back & psoas. I also had to go shopping to buy an (ugly cowboy )boot to keep my hips level while walking in the boot, it was causing quite a bit of hip pain. Hang in there, I hope you have someone to help you out at home! Tokie

[Grits]

Yes Tokie, I am non-weight bearing. I was thinking some type of rolling device would be so much better than these crutches. I'm going back to the orthopedist
in a week so will get a better idea of how long I will be on crutches. If it is much longer, I'll look into getting the scooter.

Did you break your ankle in a bike accident? I think I have hated having to tell people that is how I did it more than anything since everyone talks about how dangerous it is all the time.

[Tokie]

Of course it was a bike accident(last one, I broke my thumb) lots of grief from work-she's off again! I just tell people "I was riding down a hill really fast & having fun" & smile & tell them it's areally bad break,I had surgery-screws-plate-& am off work for 3 months & can hardly wait to walk again.I think the scooter diffuses alot of the bike safety lecture momentum though. If people go off on that, I share that statistically, riding horses is far more risky-even riskier than hang gliding! And I tell them that the corner where I crashed on an isolated rural Hwy is SO notorious that when I told the ambulance I was amazed that they found me they said "oh,we knew exactly where you'ld be-this is where everyone crashes" (it's a steep S curve & the first curve is horribly off camber which I didn't notice 'til it was too late). I also tell everyone that I'm incredibly lucky that I didn't break my hip or worse, that I had time to choose crash uphill or downhill(I picked uphill). It is different when you have been someone else's "victim"'in a bike accident, both emotionally & how you are able to present the situation to others. Plays out better because I can start out by saying "I was really having fun". Telling my bike injuries caused by others will usu have the cautionary negative feedback you are getting. I have to admit that this time after a few "lectures" I began dreaming up alternative versions of my injury that would entertain me & cut down on neg feedback. Truly, when you are injured due to someone else's fault, both the physical & emotional suffering are worse. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

[Roadtrip]

Interestingly, the radiologist who looked at my x-rays said I did not have a fracture, just a sprain. They were ready to send me out with a splint kind of thing, no crutches, when I could not put any weight on my foot at all. The doctor (who happened to be a cyclist) disagreed with him and treated me as a fracture anyway. The orthopedist, looking at the same films yesterday, said there was absolutely no question it was a fracture

THIS happened to me growing up. However, I continued to WALK on a fractured ankle before the hospital called and told my mom it was broken and referred us to a orthopedic specialist... Two weeks later. I was in a cast for six months and an air boot for another month or so after that. Ankle still is munch weaker the the other. Glad you had a doc that stood up for you, even when you couldn't, literally.

Hope you feel better soon!
Shannon

[Tokie]

Hey Grits! Did you get a scooter? How are you managing?I had to come out of my boot a week early, as it caused a skin wound by rubbing over one of my screws. So I took myself off of the scooter - too tippy the way I liked to use it outdoors, & my ankle is still healing, a crash could break it all over. If you lived in So Cal I could lend you the scooter! I'm actually donating it to the Visiting Nurse Association "Loan Closet". I'm in wound treatment to heal it, so can't get my leg wet (again!) But I can drive now, which is great! Hope your foot is healing perfectly! Tokie

[Grits]

Thanks Tokie! I actually rented a knee scooter for a month yesterday (shouldn't need it longer than that for what I have), and wish I had gotten it day one. It makes all the difference in mobility and independence (they should get me to do an ad!). Just being able to have my hands free to get something out of the fridge is huge. Good thing my boys are older now. This would have been irresistible to them when they were little.

I still have a lot of swelling and bruising - almost two weeks out- but there has never been much pain as long as I don't move it wrong. I'm not having any problems with the air cast/boot so far. I will see the orthopedist on Mon. morning and will get new xrays.

That is very nice of you to donate your scooter. It will make a big difference for someone. I wish the orthopedist office had been better about letting me know of options and also given me some instructions on how to use my crutches on curbs, steps, etc. I had to google it!

[ClockworkOrange]

So sorry to hear your bad news.

Don't rush the healing process and try and do as the doctor's suggest.

Nosey about on the internet for ideas and suggestions to make life easier.

...................then again, chocolate is my friend just don't eat too much! ;)

Take care.

[Grits]

Another ortho visit this morning after a CT scan last week. He was concerned about lisfranc joint involvement, and I was really worried that I was going to find out that I needed surgery. But, YAY, I do not need surgery :D

He did find out that the fractures were more extensive than the x-rays showed (first and third metatarsal in addition to the second) so the soft tissue damage was worse as well, which accounts for the prolonged swelling.

I can now gradually start bearing weight on the foot while using crutches, then one crutch, and eventually, at my own pace, transition to a stiff soled shoe and quit using the air cast. I can even ride for 15 - 20 minutes on a stationary bike :) (Since I was prepared to hear I needed surgery and was facing the prospect of starting my recovery period over completely, this all sounds wonderful to me!)

I'm also to start a range of motion exercise: wrap a towel around my foot and pull the top of it back towards my shin. I did it, but it really didn't feel like I was doing much of anything. He doesn't want me to do anything side to side yet.

I have some Merrell clogs that have a stiff sole. Do you think Clogs would be ok to wear after a foot injury?

[Tokie]

Yay! I have had great results from (gently) riding on the trainer - it really helped reduce my foot & ankle swelling. I would bring the shoe(s) you are considering using for their approval. I can also recommend icing after you exercise your foot/ankle, even if it doesn't ache at the moment. Congratulations on your healing! Tokie

[Grits]

That is good to hear. I was afraid it might make the swelling worse. What kind of shoes do you wear?

[Tokie]

I am able to get into my Sidi (road) shoes - if I couldn't get into them, I guess that a stiff-soled hiking shoe might work. My swelling was somewhat over the top of my foot but mainly my ankle & about 1/3rd up my calf. Am told that the swelling will persist for approx 6 mos. tokie