Broken bone recovery time

[mattnzl]

Had a bit of an off 6 weeks ago (OTB downhill landing on a solid rock face - ) and broke my arm & cracked a few wrist bones. Was feeling pretty sorry for myself, but looking forward to getting cast off. Got cast off yesterday, but now my arm feels WORSE!
I was expecting weak & skinny arm, but this is painfull - can't move my wrist more than 15 degrees or so. No way I could pull the clutch. Have physio appointment tomorrow, but can already tell there's no way I'll be back on a bike before feb. even a pushbike!
Have promised a few mates I'll be sorted for tussock buster, eeek!

Just ranting really, sorry everyone. Feeling a bit down not being able to ride for such a long time. Anyone pushing , errrr, 40 had a break like this and can give me good news....?

[thecharmed01]

I wouldn't stress yet. It takes a week or so after getting a cast off, for the muscles to get used to being able to move again.

The physio will give you exercises to do, to rebuild the muscles and if you do them regularly, it should only take 2-3 weeks to get the muscle tone back. But it could take longer if you have locked up a muscle somewhere. You won't know that though till you are assessed.

Remember, it's been restricted for 6 weeks, being back in A1 shape will take a little time!

[tigertim20]

Im not 40, but some days I fucking feel like it.
breaks arent the same, it differs and can be affected by your health, fitness and strength, even diet.

Main points are do NOT try to do too much too soon, or you will do more damage and extend your recovery time by alot more. just because it feels 'a bit better today' doesnt mean you can go and do some light weights. let it rest properly.

It sounds to me like you are looking at some tendon/ligament damage as well, which wouldnt be unusual given your description of the accident.
It sucks arse, but stay positive. take the time to do some maintenance, or general tinkering to give you something to do and keep your spirits up.

It will come right, just try to be patient, thought I realise that is the hardest part.

[rachprice]

Where in your arm and which wrist bones?

[yungatart]

Wrists are often a bit dicey in the healing process...be patient, young grasshopper.
Your physio will help you get the strength and movement back, but it does take time.

[green machine]

Hate to bum you out mate,but speaking from experience(i've broken a few)you're f**ked for life..............bit dramatic,haha but seriously they are never the same but you just learn to cope with it.............,8-10 weeks and i was good to go,time and exercise helps but look on the bright side,you'll be able to tell when rain is on the way....

[Taz]

I'm on my 10th week off work for a broken finger

[mattnzl]

Yea I'm taking it real easy, don't want to damage and have to start all over. Funny reading some posts on other sites about guys who ride while still in cast!
Have got me calcium pills & been laying off the fermented refreshments a bit.....

Radius in the arm and "ulna styloid avulsion" - whatever that means.

I've never broken a bone before in my life, so I guess thats why I don't know what to expect. Cheers for the replies everyone :-)

[pete.ktm]

I busted my wrist in 8 places a few years ago, on a bloody KDX as well.

Mine didn't feel too bad when i had the cast and pins taken out. Had a slack physio who would show me an exercise to do, sit me in a corner to do it and then talk to her mates on the phone. And also being a slacker I didn't really do them properly or continue doing them at home often enough which i'm sure contributed to my wrist never regaining the movement i had b4 the crash.

So make sure you get a good physio and do the exercises!!

[Kickaha]

I've found however long I have been in plaster it was about the same length of time to be back to 100%, both of my wrist injuries it was 2-3 weeks before even being close to the normal range of movement

[SMOKEU]

I broke my hand about 13 months ago (Bennett's fracture) and it still isn't right. Went to see a doc on the day of the crash and got a cast put on, but it still hurts sometimes. Shit happens, and at least I'm still able to ride so I can't really complain too much.

[Shadykiwi]

I hear what ya saying. Between the age of 37 - 39 I broke a total of 13 bones. All from riding. Went through the sorry for myself a number of times. On average, once out of the cast I took a further 2 months to get the confidence to push things. I always felt crap once the cast came off as it always hurt due to stiff joints and or muscle loss. I broke my humerous 3 years ago and it still gives my greif after a ride. One of the biggest things I did to reduce pain and further breaks was heaps of gym work. Loosing 20kg, Being fit and strong will always aid recovery but even more important it reduces the chances of getting seriously hurt. Good luck in the rehab, but wait till the voices start in your head when riding! Now thats the hard barrier to break through lol.

[Mom]

Was feeling pretty sorry for myself, but looking forward to getting cast off. Got cast off yesterday....
Just ranting really, sorry everyone. Feeling a bit down not being able to ride for such a long time. Anyone pushing , errrr, 40 had a break like this and can give me good news....?

Bummer about your wrist mate, that really sucks. I am on the other side of 50 and managed to break my ankle, while out for a walk, on September 3rd. I too was looking forward to getting the plaster off and getting back on my beloved Millie. I got over that fairly quickly, it still is not healed

In answer to your question, think of it this way. It has taken 6 weeks for your arm to degenerate to the place it is now, it will take the same amount of time to come back to what ever "normal" you are able to get back to. Dont stress, just do the excercises (all the time) and relax.

Me, I have no idea when I will get back on my bike, another x-ray in a couple of weeks will hopefully show the stupid thing healed.

[green machine]

I hear what ya saying. Between the age of 37 - 39 I broke a total of 13 bones. All from riding. Went through the sorry for myself a number of times. On average, once out of the cast I took a further 2 months to get the confidence to push things. I always felt crap once the cast came off as it always hurt due to stiff joints and or muscle loss. I broke my humerous 3 years ago and it still gives my greif after a ride. One of the biggest things I did to reduce pain and further breaks was heaps of gym work. Loosing 20kg, Being fit and strong will always aid recovery but even more important it reduces the chances of getting seriously hurt. Good luck in the rehab, but wait till the voices start in your head when riding! Now thats the hard barrier to break through lol.

Geez mate i,ve done 4 and i thought that was bad enough,all around the same age as you and like you all from riding,in fact i hadn't broken any until i took up riding at 37.Each time i break one i say to myself,that's it i'm giving up,but after a couple of months i'm itching to get back out there....and you're right about the mental barrier,it's tough,and remember you're first fall or crash after a return from a broken bone......once you get that out of the way the mind games ease off a bit,lol......you'll be right mattnzl,hell one of my breaks was two vertebrae and i'm still riding

[ajturbo]

FFS..HTFU...
just compare your little sore arm to my hangover i had the other day...

only THEN you can bitch and moan like a school girl who's daddy took her cell phone away..!!