fractured shoulder

[Jo-n-NY]

well i guess add me to the crash list. monday we began such a fun ride. for the 1st time our little riding group of 5 got to ride all togther. we are suppose to ride the pumpkin patch century also for the 1st time oct 2.

well 3.5 miles into our ride we were on a town road that had some construction, my front tire must have gotten caught in a 1 inch lip in the road and down i went. it happened so fast. i thought all i had was some road rash but thought i could get back on my bike. but my group put me on a bench under some trees to sit a while. my rt arm was getting stiff and i was losing strength in my hand. so three went to get the van we drove home. i took off my jersey and my shoulder was swollen. dh took me to the emergency room another 1st for me.

so i have a fractured shoulder. i guess i am lucky because when the nurse pract saw the x-ray she thought the ball might have been out. they put me in a hard contraption and a sling. i went back to the orth dr on wed and the fracture is already looking better. so he said i could have the whole contraption or just the sling. i went for just the sling as it will not disrupt the rec time. i continue to ice it constantly and will stay out of work all next week at least.

he said 6 weeks for full recovery. i really hoping to ride the pump-patch for at least the min of 20 miles. my little group said they won't ride it without me. this has to be the worst timing. we have looking forward to this since last year and bought matching jerseys.

am i crazy to even think of riding 20 miles?

excuse my typing. it is hard poking around with a couple of fingers on my lt hand no less.

joann

[emily_in_nc]

Joann,

I am SO sorry to hear this! My husband broke his collarbone 7 years ago and couldn't ride (didn't want to either) for weeks (dont' remember how many now). I can't give you any advice on that other than it doesn't sound like a good idea to ride for awhile.

Keep us posted. I'm sending many healing thoughts your way. It sure has been an unlucky week or two for the ladies of TeamE....sheesh!

Emily

[CorsairMac]

ahhhhhhhhhh Jo hun! I'm so sorry to hear about your injury! Sending you healing wishes! I can't add anything about riding or not as my time ticket hasn't been punched yet but whatever you decide I'll be keeping you in my thoughts!

If you can't ride....would you wanna SAG??.....wear your Jersey and follow your group and play "pretend"? So at least you can be there??

[bouncybouncy]

Wooooe, Jo...I always have fears of crashing hard right before a trip or something, but how else can you train to make it through??? I am back in the saddle after a series of small crashes and emotional boundries and I am sending you all my healing energies....

I immediately had a thought when i read your story...you could be your teams personal SAG...or volunteer at the stops and be there to cheer your team on. It would be a shame not to participate when you have spent so much time preparing and training...you can still wear your jersey as a volunteer!!!

(just be sure to wear your sling so everyone knows you have a legit excuse to not riding )

***edit

Looks like CM & I were typing the same thought at the same time...Great minds think alike...hehe

[Selkie]

Jo - I did the same thing when training for a marathon back in 1995. Don't feel bad---I fell after slipping on a manhole cover in the road, and ran 10 miles home w/it throbbing. I was able to walk for exercise while recovering, so all was not lost, but I hated not being able to do simple stuff like put on my bra w/out help and other "two hands required" tasks. When you get rid of the sling, start moving your arm/shoulder right away so you can regain your range of motion. You'll lose a lot of strength (wait til you try to reach over your head for the first time!!), but it comes back quickly. Insist on PT, too. I didn't and regretted it.
Get lots of calcium and nutrients. I'll be sending good karma your way.

[bikerchick68]

ah man! that just stinks!!! I'm so sorry to hear this... I know what it's like to be excited to participate in an event and then have it fall thru...

I really like the idea of you SAGging instead... I don't think the risk of greater injury would be worth the 20 miles... keep us posted and hope you're better soon...

[RoadRaven]

Ah Jo... a fractured shoulder?
That really sucks

Can you jump on a trainer? Keep your fitness up?

I def wouldn't be considering weight on the shoulder in the first little while of healing... woow, what bad timing Jo...

[bcipam]

Do you have a FX shoulder or collarbone? Collarbone fractures are cyclings' most common injury. I've had two and unfortunately the last one (which occurred 7/4/2003) did not heal properly so I'm now scheduled for surgery to pin and graft the fracture site in hopes it will heal completely. Why do I tell you this? Well, two weeks after the last FX I was back in spin classes and I was riding in less than 8 even though the injury was not totally healed. Probably wasn't the best thing to do. For at least 6 weeks, give the FX a rest and let it start mending properly. It's a fairly painful injury so you'll know when it's OK to ride again, when the pain is all gone (and your are off the Vicodin!).

PS: The worse thing for me was not being able to wear a bra. I just couldn't go out without having one on (my chest is too big, and they are real which means they need support). Also not being able to do my hair. That was a drag. It's nice to have someone at home to help you out. I'm not looking forward to this surgery 'cause it means being home again, all alone and having to try to do some with one arm pinned to my side. Tough!

[Jo-n-NY]

thank you all for your advise and good wishes. it is the fx humerus that got injured.

i go back to the dr on thursday and i thiink he is starting me with a motion exercise. he knows about the ride and didn't completely rule it out. i think take it step by step.

emily, my injury is a far cry from what your recent fall caused you besides your century ride and special anniversary vacation that got ruined. i didn't know about your husbands collar bone. a tiny part of me is scared but i try through that out of my head.

ice packs on and off throughout the day and complete r&r seems to be helping a lot.

i will be sure to keep you all posted. again, thank you all so much!!!

[BikeMomma]

Speedy recovery to you, Jo. Listen to the doc - seems like he's supportive of what you want to do, since you said he hasn't ruled it out. Good! There's hope, just be careful. Don't overdo!

I like RoadRaven's idea about the trainer...to keep your fitness. That way, if you do get the go-ahead from doc, you'll be ready.

I'm riding the cycling leg in a team relay triathlon on the 2nd, same day as your century. I'll keep you in my thoughts while I'm out there trying to rip my lungs out.

Take care!
-BikeMomma

[DirtDiva]

May your recovery be smooth and swift.

[Jo-n-NY]

Do you have a FX shoulder or collarbone? Collarbone fractures are cyclings' most common injury. I've had two and unfortunately the last one (which occurred 7/4/2003) did not heal properly so I'm now scheduled for surgery to pin and graft the fracture site in hopes it will heal completely. Why do I tell you this? Well, two weeks after the last FX I was back in spin classes and I was riding in less than 8 even though the injury was not totally healed. Probably wasn't the best thing to do. For at least 6 weeks, give the FX a rest and let it start mending properly. It's a fairly painful injury so you'll know when it's OK to ride again, when the pain is all gone (and your are off the Vicodin!).

PS: The worse thing for me was not being able to wear a bra. I just couldn't go out without having one on (my chest is too big, and they are real which means they need support). Also not being able to do my hair. That was a drag. It's nice to have someone at home to help you out. I'm not looking forward to this surgery 'cause it means being home again, all alone and having to try to do some with one arm pinned to my side. Tough!

i am off vicodin. i took it only 3 times and was sick to my stomach for 2 days. i am only taking ib propen. i here you about the bra. i been going without but i am small and wearing my husbands shirts because i don't own any botton down shirts. i am sending my daughter out to get me those stretchy camisole things and some botton down shirts so i can get out and walk.

took a shower this morning and had mmy husband there but i washed my hair one handed. he washed my hair in the sink the other day and to be honest doing it myself worked out better.

thank you to the additional well wishes. oh yes, i plan to get on the trainer as soon as the dr gives me the go ahead.

bikemomma, i am sure you do just fine and your lungs will get stronger with every pedal rotation. will be thinking of you also.

now i will go try to find the threads of the other recent accidents. i am getting better working the mouse with my left hand. whew

[Pedal Wench]

Gosh, I hate to encourage you (I'm sure that complete r&r is best, but I know how we are...)
You might want to put aero-bars on your trainer. It might give you more riding options that put less pressure on your shoulder. I've added them to help with trigger finger symptoms, so I'm not putting pressure on my hands. But, you really should take it easy!

Oh - I put on some of my sports bras from the bottom up - it might be easier than over the top...