Broke wrist in bike crash

[Nanci]

Sounds like the driver failed to yield the right of way.

Here's a really good website about how to avoid the Right Hook:

http://bicyclesafe.com/

PS, sorry to hear about the wrist! It will be much stronger and heal faster with the plates/screws, though.

[eclectic]

Sounds like the driver failed to yield the right of way.

Here's a really good website about how to avoid the Right Hook:

http://bicyclesafe.com/

PS, sorry to hear about the wrist! It will be much stronger and heal faster with the plates/screws, though.

Great website Nanci THANKS ! ! !

[hsmpcycle]

I am so sorry about your accident. I hope it is nothing serious.

About 4 or 5 years ago I was riding in a bike lane and an old lady in a huge Caddy, who wanted to turn right into a bank parking lot as I was approaching the entrance, moved right into the bike lane so that other cars could pass her then finally made the turn. In doing this, I had to brake very very hard. My tire was up against her bumper when I finally stopped. I was so Hot , I slammed my fist down on her trunk. She looked up in her mirror, shocked but did nothing to apoligize. To this day, I hate it when people use the bike lane as a turn or passing lane.

My opinion about the wrist, consult a physical therapist and see what you need to do to condition it. They may suggest to exercise it by sitting on the floor at a hard surface (a chair or an end table) in front of you. Place your arm on the surface with your wrists just over the far end of the table at the ledge. Place a 5 lb. weight in your hand and have your hand lift it up and down slowly.

Hope this helps.

[HappyAnika]

I'm so sorry! That's terrible. I hate bad drivers enough as it is, but this is just inexcusable. I broke my "wrist" in February (snowboarding fall), it was actually a distal radius fracture: arm bone near the wrist. I didn't have to have surgery, just a cast for 2 weeks, then a splint for 2 more weeks, then I was on my bike 6 weeks after the fall. Yours will likely take more time since you are having hardware put in. However my advice is be adamant about starting physical therapy as soon as possible. Make it very clear to your therapist that you want to get back on the bike ASAP. I think a lot of therapists are used to dealing with sedentary people who's primary goal is to be able to get back to using the remote control. Do your home exercises diligently. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!

[SouthernBelle]

I wanted to point out that the insurance company won't reimburse you for your medical or injury expense until they are all in. This isn't like medical insurance, where it is paid as it's incurred. When you are done, and all your expenses, lost wages, pain suffering, etc are determined after negotiation, one check is cut and a release is signed in exchange.

HTH,

[Nanci]

Hardware is good! Then the fracture is stabilized, over, done with, rather than in a cast, flopping around till it finally makes a bridge. It'll heal faster!!

[Denise223]

I'm very sorry to hear about the crash & also about your broken wrist !!

You definitely WILL be able to ride -- just be sure to follow your hand surgeon's advice post surgery. Don't have PT until he/she says that it's okay.

I have had several bilateral upper extremity operations, (hands, wrists, thumbs, elbow), and have been left with surgically fused wrists. I don't have any motion -- I can't move my wrists up or down, nor can I move them side to side. (I was a passenger in a car accident).

Against the advice of my hand surgeon, I went to see a doctor "for the performing arts" - (I play the guitar). He told me that, "I would never play again, because my wrists were totally fused".

I'm happy to report that I CAN play the guitar -- the only thing that's different is the way I position my hand on the neck of the guitar.

I'm not in the market at all right now, but, if I ever do purchase a road bike, I think that I'll have to stick with straight handlebars.

Nanci's right -- with hardware, you will heal quicker and most likely will not need to wear a cast/splint for more than a month.

Take good care of yourself -- I'll be keeping you in my prayers!

Denise

[pooks]

Please keep us posted about your surgery and recovery.

[chickwhorips]

sorry to hear about your wrist. not sure how long it will heal and when you'll be back up and going, but nanci is right about healing faster than a cast.

good luck on the recovery and i hope things work out with the stupid 'person' that cut infront of you and she gets what she deserves.

[Steph_in_TX]

DH broke his wrist three years ago after a head-on collision with a big rock hiding in a shady area. Anyway, it wasn't as severe as yours, but he was in a cast for six weeks and then a brace for another six while doing PT. He bought clip-on aero bars and started riding on the trainer as soon as the initial soreness subsided. All that sweating did wonders for the cast. It stunk! It took him almost the entire six weeks of PT to get back his range of motion and most of the soreness worked out before he headed outside again. It doesn't bother him at all now unless he rides a REALLY rough rode for miles on end.

Good luck!!

[runningteach]

Thanks ladies! I am a little more optimistic about getting back out there soon. I was afraid it would take months. I'll keep you all posted.

Thanks for the website too!

[HappyAnika]

Hardware is good! Then the fracture is stabilized, over, done with, rather than in a cast, flopping around till it finally makes a bridge. It'll heal faster!!

I was thinking it might take longer because you are messing with the bone even more by putting screws in it. That in itself will take time to heal. Of course your doctor will have the best idea of how long it will take, everyone's breaks are different. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

[Nanci]

I had a fractured fibula caused by a horse accident that took _six months_ to heal!! It just kept wobbling around in there, disturbing the new callus bone. This is my field- I'm betting it will heal faster. It needs to not move to heal.