Broken wrist

[Trek1500]

I fell off of my bike Sunday and broke my wrist. Since typing is difficult, I won't go into detail, but I'm wondering if anyone has been able to ride while healing. I don't expect to be able to go out tomorrow. I'll be in a long cast for 3 wks. and a short one for a while after. I'm thinking maybe with the sort cast? Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks.

[mimitabby]

I have heard of gals on stationary bikes with casts, but it seems a bit crazy to ride on the road with a broken limb. Sorry you fell. What happened?

[Pika]

Sorry to hear about your wrist!
When you say long cast- how long? past the elbow? I can't imagine how you would ride if your elbow was immobilized.....
A fellow PT fractured her wrist while iceskating last year- she found she could take her bike out on flat roads but only after about 4 weeks. The problem earlier was her arm would swell and make the cast unbearably tight and painful. Not worth it in her opinion.
You might be better off doing an activity where you arm is not hanging down, a treadmill or elliptical where you could rest your arm at or above waist level for short periods
Good Luck

[KnottedYet]

Best bet is to ask the doc who treated your wrist.

They know exactly what you broke and how badly and what kind of sudden jars/shifts/impacts and weightbearing they do and don't want those delicate healing bones to go through.

Give them a quick phone call. The physician's assistant or nurse should be able to get the answer to you pretty soon.

(we do this all the time for patients we see in our clinic)

[RoadRaven]

There are a couple of people in the local cycling club who have come to races with their ankles in casts... but I haven't seen anyone with their wrists in plaster.....

Will you be in the "shorter" cast for very long?

[Offthegrid]

Sorry to hear - I wish you a speedy recovery.

If you could stand it, you could probably ride a recumbent stationary bike at the gym. Not a lot of fun, but would at least keep you fit until you're healed.

[Crankin]

My husband broke both wrists in 2003. He could barely do anything! He convinced the dr. to take the casts off at 5 weeks instead of 6 and was on the bike the next day. It was very painful; in fact it was the only time I ever dropped him. He had to work hard in pt so he would be comfortable riding. After about a month, it was fine, but I wouldn't recommend riding with the cast.

[bmccasland]

Sorry to hear - I wish you a speedy recovery.

If you could stand it, you could probably ride a recumbent stationary bike at the gym. Not a lot of fun, but would at least keep you fit until you're healed.

Trek,
You really don't want to do something that runs the risk of reinjuring the wrist. At least wait until you have the shorter cast. I second notion of riding a stationary bike at a gym. I rode with my wrist in a brace and found braking or even changing gears a challenge. Healing juju thoughts headed your way!