Broken Thumb

I had a high speed spill last saturday on my road bike and broke my left thumb. The Irish health services are so great, i only got a splint today :P
Anyway, I did manage to cycle into work this morning, on the fixie, 1st time after the incident. I felt ok, apart from the knee road rash that's still a bit sore ...

The bit that's broken is the top of the finger.

I am not sure whether to cycle tomorrow with my group on our hilly saturday spin, I am not sure I'll be able to handle that much vibration especially on the descents, and I love descents ... we usually average 150 at the weekends... I was thinking just cycling with them a bit turn back before the big climbs ...

I am so annoyed!!!! What do you guys think?

Depends on your threshold for pain. If it was me, I'd skip this weekend's ride, and see how my hand felt next week.

Did the doc say anything about activity? I'd see how it feels on the first part of the ride, and then decide. Or consider doing a ride on your own so you can turn back at any point...

CA

Doc said not to cycle ... I said 'why' ... she said 'because you won't be able to brake' ... I said 'my brake is on the right' ( on the fixie anyway ) ... she said i was nuts ...

You don't brake with your thumbs anyway, silly dr. I could see pressure on your your palm and where it is by your thumb, which could hurt. Do what doesn't hurt. Broken fingers when jarred, can cause a lot of pain. But like bmccasland said, threshold for pain is a big factor. Good luck with your ride and your healing up.

Just don't land on it again! :rolleyes:

Well I was out for a hilly spin on Saturday and it was grand. A bit painful on the descent due to uneven irish roads ... but iverrall I did great :) out on the flat with the fixie this week though, will take it easy.

well your thumb does have to be curved around the bars or the hood to anchor your hand for braking. And climbing. And just generally holding on when the road is rough.

I know it s*cks but I just wouldn't ride. Once that bone is healed, it's healed, and if it heals up with a deformity that you can't live with, they'd have to re-break it to correct it.

I guess it just depends on how much you do with your thumbs (computer keyboarding, doesn't matter so much, especially the left thumb; but if you play certain musical instruments it's probably important that it heal straight) and how much it would bother you cosmetically to have a crooked thumb.

Sad your thumb got broke
Glad you turned your spokes


OK... will stop trying to rhyme now
Just wanted to say its great you got out and on the bike again - so important to jump back in the saddle
So pleased the ride was so successful and not too uncomfy
:)

Sending you healing thoughts from Aoteroa

Road~ partly Irish too ~Raven