Jacked my thumb 6 weeks ago, and just pushed through the pain of riding (couldn't shift with thumb so used palm, and rode the single speed when not in the mood to deal with the gear-changing issue), and an x-ray yesterday revealed that I tore the ligament, taking a nice chunk of bone with it. NO WONDER it wasn't healing. So much for the "it's just sprained" excuse I'd been tellng myself for 6 weeks so I could keep riding.
I see a surgeon tomorrow, to see what has to happen next, and in the meantime my doctor put a spica cast on me.
Anyone else have this injury? How long were you off the bike? I'm already getting depressed at the thought of not being able to ride.
"People do not lack strength; they lack will" (Victor Hugo)
With other avulsion fractures, they usually immobilize the bone and any joints that cause that ligament to 'pull' on it for 6-8 weeks to let a bone union form. If it's been six weeks since that, you won't be having any bone union, so either they will determine that a fibrous tissue union will be fine and immobilize it for a couple months... or put a little screw through it.
Either way... probably looking at at least 4-6 weeks that the doctors recommend not riding, minimum. But, if they cast it, and you can ride safely/comfortably with the cast... *shrug*... might not be so bad.
Saw the surgeon yesterday, and not good news. Says it's going to be a complicated surgery, and I am off the bike for 3 months. The bone is not able to be salvaged so they are going to do a tendon graft (from my wrist) to use as a stabilizing ligament. FML. Thursday of next week is surgery, then the countdown begins.
He is going to leave the pin in for 6 weeks to ensure it's solid. Hey at least I'm not getting married in 32 days, in Cancun, Oceanside! That would suck to be in a cast I can't get wet!
Oh waaaaait.. YES I AM getting married Oceanside in 32 days! ;-)
Ah well, I can hold a drink in my left hand, and hold my arm up out of the infinity pool at the resort, so whatever. Someday it will be funny. Some... day.
At least I will be healed for solo Old Pueblo. Only gonna miss two events between now and then. Thx for the info. You were spot on!
"People do not lack strength; they lack will" (Victor Hugo)
Ask for a waterproof (resistant?) cast. The ones with nomex/goretex type liners and poly shells can be used in water.
Also... 3 months, that bites. BUT... it could be worse. They could have said "never again".
Of course, if they said "never again", the correct response would have been to have a prosthetic hand fitted, with a clip-in cleat... you could be the first clipless-bar rider!
Sweet! I'll do so. The person scheduling the surgery was adamant I could not get the pin wet, but she might not realize there are alternatives.
Edit: ummm, yeah, 5 years ago I tore ligaments in the pinky of the same hand and broke a rib (at least it happened while mountain biking! This happened in a hardcore game of horseplay in Vegas- ha- fiancé did this to me!!), and I rode my bike 3 days later, hand all wrapped. I'm not good at following rules.
Lol about the hand cleat. I'd be out there like something out of The Grudge. Whatever gets me back on the bike.
"People do not lack strength; they lack will" (Victor Hugo)
Sweet! I'll do so. The person scheduling the surgery was adamant I could not get the pin wet, but she might not realize there are alternatives.
If the pin is external (part of the initial cast)... you might be out of luck on the water thing. I assumed the pin was going to be under the skin. And... skin is generally pretty waterproof.
But there's no harm in asking for a treatment that is convenient for you. The doctors are there to fix YOU, not just your broken bits (No matter what the surgeons might believe, they're treating patients, not just bones and tissue). So if there might be something that is a little better for you... may as well ask about it.
Yeah this guy is THE surgeon of the Diamondbacks and other major league players, so he is used to testy athletes who won't take no for an answer. Given I burst into girly sobs when he said 3 months, I'm sure he'll release me ASAP.
But as to the pin- zoiks!!! External?? Sick !!!
"People do not lack strength; they lack will" (Victor Hugo)
If it were internal, would you really be worried about getting it wet? It seems to me that there are TONS of fluids inside your body. Water being the base liquid for most of them.
You assume my mind has been able to move past the words "3 months off of the bike", and apply rationale to ANYTHING else that was said to me? :-)
I've been in denial, clearly. Post injury i did 3 pre-rides of an event called Tour of The White Mountains, then the race itself last weekend, not to mention multiple routine workout rides, never grasping I was actually seriously injured. "suck it up" was my attitude.
Damn I'm depressed again. lol
I am NEVER playing Marco-Polo again, after power drinking in Vegas!
And I'm going to recruit friends to ride tandem with me. I can sit on the back and pedal. ;-)
"People do not lack strength; they lack will" (Victor Hugo)
Like... walking a trail before riding it, and falling down a cliff-face. Or taking the trash out and herniating a disc. (Or playig marco polo). I tore a bunch of ligaments in my foot running with my dog.
I guess what I'm saying is: That'll teach you to do something besides riding.
Also: If denial worked for 3 rides, why not for the rest of the season? (Which, IMO, is just getting started in AZ)
I just sustained the same injury yesterday, 2 days before I was going to try my first race. I was just getting one last ride , luckily mine is a smaller chip and they think it should heal without surgery. Good luck with yours and grats on up coming wedding!
Axis- lol, oh believe me I entertained just saying "if I don't mind it don't matter!"... Talked to the surgeon yesterday, pleading my case to postpone the surgery until after the wedding and I was shut DOWN! Said there's no way I should wait, as I am only risking more complications and permanent damage.
"People do not lack strength; they lack will" (Victor Hugo)
Lol... Well it turns out I really like Vicodin! Never been able to take pain meds until now. Taking the edge off. Kinda don't mind this as much, come medicine time! Ha.
So surgery went well- no tendon graft and he was able to save the bone! Wrapped for two weeks, then cast for 6. Pins, so no water. Ah well.
Ambush shot while I was snoozing (and apparently puckering my lips- wonder who I dreamt I was kissing!?)...
So the countdown begins to riding... 3 months to go!
"People do not lack strength; they lack will" (Victor Hugo)
Lol... Well it turns out I really like Vicodin! Never been able to take pain meds until now. Taking the edge off. Kinda don't mind this as much, come medicine time! Ha.
So surgery went well- no tendon graft and he was able to save the bone! Wrapped for two weeks, then cast for 6. Pins, so no water. Ah well.
Ambush shot while I was snoozing (and apparently puckering my lips- wonder who I dreamt I was kissing!?)...
So the countdown begins to riding... 3 months to go!
Almost a week down... 3 months minus 1 week to go! (Guess what? that still rounds to 3 months. :P)
Whatever. I am scrappy!! Outside of a sudden burning pain that appeared today, I expect my doc to tell me I am a wickedly fast healer, nearly a sorceress if you will, who will be given the greenlight early!
And if all else fails, I am Aries and live by the creed, "Ready... fire... aim!!"
Just watch :-)
"People do not lack strength; they lack will" (Victor Hugo)
Saw the Dr today.
Pin gets to stay in two weeks longer than normal, so six weeks and counting.
I'm sorry I ever wondered what was under that bandaging. I almost puked when I saw the stitches and pin, which was, btw, BENT because of the way they wrapped it.
Did an x-ray to be sure it hadn't compromised the repair.
Warning - gory pics!!
"People do not lack strength; they lack will" (Victor Hugo)
Heal fast....I did one a few years back. Never lost function and no surgery but it was at least a year before it didn't hurt like heck when i accidently bumped it the wrong way. Hopefully your surgery allows you to skip that part.
Jsj- thank you! I'm trying to follow the "rules" (no sweating allowed) so it's heals right, but it's damned tough! Based on what you said, sounds like there's a light at the end of the tunnel, with some patience. Glad you're back in the game and got use back. You do not realize what a role your thumb plays in menial, daily tasks, until you can't use it!
"People do not lack strength; they lack will" (Victor Hugo)
3 months and not a day longer, and I'm not budging on that. :-)
When the cast comes off in 5 more weeks, I am gonna be running like forest gump! In the meantime I have decided so long as I don't work up a sweat, I can cruise around on my single speed one-handed. :-) not on the trails, but at least on the pavement.
"People do not lack strength; they lack will" (Victor Hugo)
Least it's getting fixed right.. I broke my pinky this way and its been crooked ever since, doctor I saw said I didn't need surgery ( I should have gotten a second opinion...).
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So much for the "it's just sprained" excuse I'd been tellng myself for 6 weeks so I could keep riding.
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Originally Posted by CoyoteKis
