Broke my leg

surfercross
Profile picture for user surfercross
Posts
66
Joined
2/27/2011
Location
Boca Raton, FL US
surfercross
Edited Date/Time 2/23/2012 1:36pm
Broke my leg at L-cross this past weekend.I broke my tibia and fibia in 3 places so they had to plate it and but a external fixator.I am not taking any pain meds since getting out of the hospital.Has anybody else gone through this kind of injury?
|
kripple428
Profile picture for user kripple428
Posts
668
Joined
7/12/2011
Location
Christiana, TN US
kripple428 7/27/2011 7:08am
7/27/2011 7:08am
broke my tib/fib in 4 places a few years ago had to get 32 screws and 2 rods the pain isn't too bad until the bones start growing around the screws then you really need some pain meds! and when it gets gold be prepared to not be able to stay outside more than 10 minutes at first
sozo
Profile picture for user sozo
Posts
1169
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Palm Coast, FL US
sozo 7/27/2011 7:12am
7/27/2011 7:12am
so bones have nerve endings ????
sxf138
Profile picture for user sxf138
Posts
637
Joined
3/30/2010
Location
Lake Forest, CA US
sxf138 7/27/2011 7:18am
7/27/2011 7:18am
ICE lots of ICE! I'm sure its inflammed and knotted up from the surgery. Ice will help you out
surfercross
Profile picture for user surfercross
Posts
66
Joined
2/27/2011
Location
Boca Raton, FL US
surfercross 7/27/2011 7:18am
7/27/2011 7:18am
kripple428 wrote:
broke my tib/fib in 4 places a few years ago had to get 32 screws and 2 rods the pain isn't too bad until the bones...
broke my tib/fib in 4 places a few years ago had to get 32 screws and 2 rods the pain isn't too bad until the bones start growing around the screws then you really need some pain meds! and when it gets gold be prepared to not be able to stay outside more than 10 minutes at first
Damn How long did it take for the pain to go away for you?

The Shop

See All »
kripple428
Profile picture for user kripple428
Posts
668
Joined
7/12/2011
Location
Christiana, TN US
kripple428 7/27/2011 7:20am
7/27/2011 7:20am
I don't exactly know how it works I think maybe like this you know in the winter when it gets so cold your bones get hold and they hurt? I think maybe the pins and rods get cold and causes the bone to get cold and hurt and I am probably wayyyyy off lol I just know when its cold outside I feel like someone is driving nails through my leg
surfercross
Profile picture for user surfercross
Posts
66
Joined
2/27/2011
Location
Boca Raton, FL US
surfercross 7/27/2011 7:21am
7/27/2011 7:21am
sxf138 wrote:
ICE lots of ICE! I'm sure its inflammed and knotted up from the surgery. Ice will help you out
Yeah I am putting ice behind my knee and that helps alot.The fucked up thing is that my crash didn't seem bad no where near as Chad Reeds.I think My knee brace is what broke it.Does that sound crazy?
kripple428
Profile picture for user kripple428
Posts
668
Joined
7/12/2011
Location
Christiana, TN US
kripple428 7/27/2011 7:22am
7/27/2011 7:22am
kripple428 wrote:
broke my tib/fib in 4 places a few years ago had to get 32 screws and 2 rods the pain isn't too bad until the bones...
broke my tib/fib in 4 places a few years ago had to get 32 screws and 2 rods the pain isn't too bad until the bones start growing around the screws then you really need some pain meds! and when it gets gold be prepared to not be able to stay outside more than 10 minutes at first
surfercross wrote:
Damn How long did it take for the pain to go away for you?
as much as you don't want to hear this right now im a straight shooter ad if you have screws/rods in your leg the pain is never going to go away my leg aches every day and if I hit my knee on something it has seriously almost bought to tears a few times and if you're referring to the pain of the cold it took me about 2 months to get used to that
sxf138
Profile picture for user sxf138
Posts
637
Joined
3/30/2010
Location
Lake Forest, CA US
sxf138 7/27/2011 7:30am
7/27/2011 7:30am
sxf138 wrote:
ICE lots of ICE! I'm sure its inflammed and knotted up from the surgery. Ice will help you out
surfercross wrote:
Yeah I am putting ice behind my knee and that helps alot.The fucked up thing is that my crash didn't seem bad no where near as...
Yeah I am putting ice behind my knee and that helps alot.The fucked up thing is that my crash didn't seem bad no where near as Chad Reeds.I think My knee brace is what broke it.Does that sound crazy?
No, not at all, my knee brace broke my femur in March of 2010. But hey, it is better then blowing up your knee right?

Also, start incorportaing pinapple in your diet, or go get yourself some Bromamine (pineapple stem).

Everyone has their own opinions on suppliments, but Bromamine helped me out.
surfercross
Profile picture for user surfercross
Posts
66
Joined
2/27/2011
Location
Boca Raton, FL US
surfercross 7/27/2011 7:34am
7/27/2011 7:34am
kripple428 wrote:
broke my tib/fib in 4 places a few years ago had to get 32 screws and 2 rods the pain isn't too bad until the bones...
broke my tib/fib in 4 places a few years ago had to get 32 screws and 2 rods the pain isn't too bad until the bones start growing around the screws then you really need some pain meds! and when it gets gold be prepared to not be able to stay outside more than 10 minutes at first
surfercross wrote:
Damn How long did it take for the pain to go away for you?
kripple428 wrote:
as much as you don't want to hear this right now im a straight shooter ad if you have screws/rods in your leg the pain is...
as much as you don't want to hear this right now im a straight shooter ad if you have screws/rods in your leg the pain is never going to go away my leg aches every day and if I hit my knee on something it has seriously almost bought to tears a few times and if you're referring to the pain of the cold it took me about 2 months to get used to that
Awe FUCK are you serious I sure hope that won't be the same for me.Did you keep riding after it healed cause I am having some real doubts about riding anymore!
mxtech1
Profile picture for user mxtech1
Posts
1968
Joined
7/21/2011
Location
Galesburg, IL US
mxtech1 7/27/2011 7:43am
7/27/2011 7:43am
I broke my fibula in 2 places about 2 months ago. I had quite a bit of pain for about 2 weeks, I thought the most painful part was the first week. It took about 3 weeks before I could start walking on it with the help of crutches and a walking boot. After about 5 weeks it started feeling somewhat normal again while walking on it. I was off the bike for 9 weeks before i felt confident enough to ride again. It's not a terrible injury to overcome but you just have to be patient and let your body heal itself. be sure you stay off of it as much as possible and use lots of ice. You will probably see alot of swelling and bruising the first two weeks. I was advised by my physical therapist to take a calcium vitamin supplement to help promote bone growth. I can still tell the break spot is not as strong as my other leg but it seems to get better each week.
kripple428
Profile picture for user kripple428
Posts
668
Joined
7/12/2011
Location
Christiana, TN US
kripple428 7/27/2011 7:44am
7/27/2011 7:44am
oh yeah man! I couldn't even walk for 9 months and the day I got cleared to walk again first thing I did was went riding haha I was only supposed to be very light pressure on it but I wanted to ride more than anything in the world at the time lol
kripple428
Profile picture for user kripple428
Posts
668
Joined
7/12/2011
Location
Christiana, TN US
kripple428 7/27/2011 7:45am
7/27/2011 7:45am
do you know if your getting your plates out or do they have to stay in forever?
Camp332
Profile picture for user Camp332
Posts
8666
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Zoo Jersey US
Camp332 7/27/2011 7:53am
7/27/2011 7:53am
sxf138 wrote:
No, not at all, my knee brace broke my femur in March of 2010. But hey, it is better then blowing up your knee right? Also...
No, not at all, my knee brace broke my femur in March of 2010. But hey, it is better then blowing up your knee right?

Also, start incorportaing pinapple in your diet, or go get yourself some Bromamine (pineapple stem).

Everyone has their own opinions on suppliments, but Bromamine helped me out.
Sorry to hear about your leg. Good job on not going home with pain meds. Eff those things.


As for SXF138, that is the coolest name of a supplement ever, "BROmamine"!! awesome!
GILLETT
Profile picture for user GILLETT
Posts
414
Joined
7/31/2010
Location
Birch Run, MI US
GILLETT 7/27/2011 7:53am
7/27/2011 7:53am Edited Date/Time 7/27/2011 8:08am
I have broken my left tib/fib 2 times now. Had plates and screws put in the first time, no big deal. Not much pain. The second time i broke them i had to have an ilizarov external fixator put on. Didn't really hurt much but ached and throbbed from time to time. My advice is to keep it elevated above your heart as much as possible. I did that and little pain at all. That pretty much requires you laying on a bed or sofa and propping your leg up on a pillow. Stay positive. They also prescribed me Vicodin, which i took 2 times and threw the rest out. That shit is not good at all. LoL. It made me hallucinate and for a minute there i thought my wife loved me and wasn't mad.
BRZ
Profile picture for user BRZ
Posts
503
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
BR
BRZ 7/27/2011 7:55am
7/27/2011 7:55am
kripple428 wrote:
broke my tib/fib in 4 places a few years ago had to get 32 screws and 2 rods the pain isn't too bad until the bones...
broke my tib/fib in 4 places a few years ago had to get 32 screws and 2 rods the pain isn't too bad until the bones start growing around the screws then you really need some pain meds! and when it gets gold be prepared to not be able to stay outside more than 10 minutes at first
surfercross wrote:
Damn How long did it take for the pain to go away for you?
kripple428 wrote:
as much as you don't want to hear this right now im a straight shooter ad if you have screws/rods in your leg the pain is...
as much as you don't want to hear this right now im a straight shooter ad if you have screws/rods in your leg the pain is never going to go away my leg aches every day and if I hit my knee on something it has seriously almost bought to tears a few times and if you're referring to the pain of the cold it took me about 2 months to get used to that
Surfercross, I had a fracture of the tibial plateau last year and had to get a plate and six screws.

Every injury is different, but I was back on the bike after five months, took it easy for the first 3 months and back to normal speed after that.

Currently I'm happy to say that I don't have any pain. The only thing that bothers me is a slight inflamation in the patella tendon.

Two suggestions: 1) as much physiotherapy as possible, to regain range of movement and muscle mass; 2) get off the pain medications as soon as you can. We've seen from accounts on this board that they can be really addictive.

Good luck with your recovery!
downandup
Profile picture for user downandup
Posts
1241
Joined
5/24/2010
Location
In A Cave, CA US
downandup 7/27/2011 7:59am
7/27/2011 7:59am
sozo wrote:
so bones have nerve endings ????
So with you on this!!!

People can be so lame when it comes to medical stuff...........

Even without the hardware, if you broke your leg in 3 places, it would hurt for the rest of your life.
kripple428
Profile picture for user kripple428
Posts
668
Joined
7/12/2011
Location
Christiana, TN US
kripple428 7/27/2011 8:10am
7/27/2011 8:10am
sozo wrote:
so bones have nerve endings ????
downandup wrote:
So with you on this!!! People can be so lame when it comes to medical stuff........... Even without the hardware, if you broke your leg in...
So with you on this!!!

People can be so lame when it comes to medical stuff...........

Even without the hardware, if you broke your leg in 3 places, it would hurt for the rest of your life.
EXACTLY! I broke mine in for place my tib/fib straight across close to my ankle then the platform that your knee sits down on broke the corners off of it and they were floating in the middle of my leg they actually had to cut out a chunk of my knee cap to get the rod in Unsure
abn166
Profile picture for user abn166
Posts
517
Joined
11/26/2006
Location
Rancho Cucamonga, CA US
abn166 7/27/2011 8:18am
7/27/2011 8:18am
surfercross wrote:
Damn How long did it take for the pain to go away for you?
kripple428 wrote:
as much as you don't want to hear this right now im a straight shooter ad if you have screws/rods in your leg the pain is...
as much as you don't want to hear this right now im a straight shooter ad if you have screws/rods in your leg the pain is never going to go away my leg aches every day and if I hit my knee on something it has seriously almost bought to tears a few times and if you're referring to the pain of the cold it took me about 2 months to get used to that
surfercross wrote:
Awe FUCK are you serious I sure hope that won't be the same for me.Did you keep riding after it healed cause I am having some...
Awe FUCK are you serious I sure hope that won't be the same for me.Did you keep riding after it healed cause I am having some real doubts about riding anymore!
I had a similar break in my lower leg and had an external fixator and pins and a screw installed. my leg is now fine with no pain at all. i shattered my humerous a few years ago and i now have a rod through the bone and several screws in the top and bottom of the bone. my arm works fine and i have no pain. having hardware installed does not guarantee pain.

Pit Row

See All »
perumx
Profile picture for user perumx
Posts
157
Joined
12/14/2006
Location
Los Angeles, CA US
perumx 7/27/2011 8:25am
7/27/2011 8:25am
Sorry to hear.
Been there, done that. Back on the bike after 5 months.
You'll be back. Just give it time to heal. Mentally too.
surfercross
Profile picture for user surfercross
Posts
66
Joined
2/27/2011
Location
Boca Raton, FL US
surfercross 7/27/2011 8:49am
7/27/2011 8:49am
Thanks everybody for the info I go to see the doctor tomorrow so I will find out exactly what the did internally to my leg.Getting around really sucks and I feel dizzy still.I had some of the craziest nightmares last.I almost don't want to goto sleep after last night.I just watched Trey Canards crash and I got all choked up cause I can sort of relate to what he is goin through.The doctor said no weight on the leg for 2 months and then another month in a soft cast.Thanks to all!!
rrdecals
Profile picture for user rrdecals
Posts
168
Joined
5/6/2010
Location
Durango, CO US
rrdecals 7/27/2011 8:53am
7/27/2011 8:53am
Fixators suck!! had one in my wrist a few years back. keep those pins wrapped up.
FLmxer
Profile picture for user FLmxer
Posts
7278
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
SouthWest, FL US
Fantasy
362nd
FLmxer 7/27/2011 6:47pm
7/27/2011 6:47pm
Man I hope you heal fast and get back to riding and surfing soon.Those are two of my favorite things to do. I was there when you crashed and actually rode over to see if I could do anything and asked what happened and the flagger said he thought you tweeked your ankle and no. I had just fixed a flat after a lap. The track was so so and running the opposite way from my last visit. I got a tube off the guy who helped you in the black jersey who ended up working with my father in law as a firemen and he told me my in law had married he and his wife which I did not know. Anyway I did a lap or two riding behind a friend filming him and was not paying attention and spayed you guys over there and felt horrible. I have been that guy on the ground to many times and that does not help. So when you heal up I owe you a fishing trip any time you are ready. Give me a shout.

jimmie
Profile picture for user jimmie
Posts
2260
Joined
8/21/2008
Location
Huntington Beach, CA US
jimmie 7/27/2011 7:08pm
7/27/2011 7:08pm
What kinda' external fixation we be talkin' about?

I had one on my left wrist and, a Llizarovi type on my left lower leg (Tib/Fib)

Horrible, horrible experience (especially the Ilizarov).

Still ride but, never ever want to go through that again!

Bless you and good luck, you'll be fine.
surfercross
Profile picture for user surfercross
Posts
66
Joined
2/27/2011
Location
Boca Raton, FL US
surfercross 7/27/2011 7:36pm
7/27/2011 7:36pm
FLmxer wrote:
Man I hope you heal fast and get back to riding and surfing soon.Those are two of my favorite things to do. I was there when...
Man I hope you heal fast and get back to riding and surfing soon.Those are two of my favorite things to do. I was there when you crashed and actually rode over to see if I could do anything and asked what happened and the flagger said he thought you tweeked your ankle and no. I had just fixed a flat after a lap. The track was so so and running the opposite way from my last visit. I got a tube off the guy who helped you in the black jersey who ended up working with my father in law as a firemen and he told me my in law had married he and his wife which I did not know. Anyway I did a lap or two riding behind a friend filming him and was not paying attention and spayed you guys over there and felt horrible. I have been that guy on the ground to many times and that does not help. So when you heal up I owe you a fishing trip any time you are ready. Give me a shout.

The Guy in the black Jersey I think his name is Ken was like Having your mom there taking care of you. i can't thank him enough and would love to have his number so I could call and thank him.We were supposed to go to thundercross but the track was muddy so we decided to go to l -cross. i made a stupid mistake and i was riding real cautiously that day I just wasn't feeling it that day.I am really pissed cause surfing is really my main sport and i used to compete in the NSSA.
The Rock
Profile picture for user The Rock
Posts
8758
Joined
3/21/2007
Location
HAIKU, HI US
The Rock 7/27/2011 8:55pm
7/27/2011 8:55pm Edited Date/Time 7/27/2011 8:59pm
surfercross wrote:
Damn How long did it take for the pain to go away for you?
kripple428 wrote:
as much as you don't want to hear this right now im a straight shooter ad if you have screws/rods in your leg the pain is...
as much as you don't want to hear this right now im a straight shooter ad if you have screws/rods in your leg the pain is never going to go away my leg aches every day and if I hit my knee on something it has seriously almost bought to tears a few times and if you're referring to the pain of the cold it took me about 2 months to get used to that
surfercross wrote:
Awe FUCK are you serious I sure hope that won't be the same for me.Did you keep riding after it healed cause I am having some...
Awe FUCK are you serious I sure hope that won't be the same for me.Did you keep riding after it healed cause I am having some real doubts about riding anymore!
surfercross I broke my tib fib in 94 at Carlsbad that left me with three screws and a hole in my tib that had to fill in but they left the fib alone. I spent 100 days on crutches and it hurt like a MOFO for the first month. I'm fifty five now and my leg is fine.

I would suggest taking calcium supplements and don't even think about whether to ride again or not and kripple's experience is no indication of how you'll going to mend. Plenty of time to resolve this riding issue later so just focus on getting better.


Best of luck to you!
Ddavis
Profile picture for user Ddavis
Posts
5216
Joined
12/11/2009
Location
CA US
Ddavis 7/27/2011 9:09pm
7/27/2011 9:09pm
surfercross wrote:
Broke my leg at L-cross this past weekend.I broke my tibia and fibia in 3 places so they had to plate it and but a external...
Broke my leg at L-cross this past weekend.I broke my tibia and fibia in 3 places so they had to plate it and but a external fixator.I am not taking any pain meds since getting out of the hospital.Has anybody else gone through this kind of injury?
I've broken both my ankles, left ankle in 8 places right ankle in 6 places. I have metal in my left ankle and had an external fixator for a while, worst time of my life. I tried to not take pain meds as quickly as possible, the sooner you can handle the pain without meds I believe the quicker you can get back on two feet. Get well soon.
Bornhorst751
Profile picture for user Bornhorst751
Posts
37
Joined
12/19/2010
Location
New Philadelphia, OH US
Bornhorst751 7/27/2011 10:34pm
7/27/2011 10:34pm
Im going through a broken leg right now too. Going on 11 months with it. I started swapping through a set of rollers and it threw me staight off the bike and snapped my leg. Broke the tib in 5 places and fib in 4 places. Since you have the external fixator, the most important thing you can do is take care of the pin sites. I cant stress enough how important that is. Right now, im on my 4th different external fixator (Taylor Spatial Frame, look it up, its pretty nuts.) The thing thats stopped me so far was infection, came back twice so far. Been on IVs for a combination of about 3 months now to get the infection away. And pin sites are the easiest way for infection to get in. And keep your leg elevated as much as possible to get the swelling down, also verryy important.

And about the knee brace breaking it, I completely agree. Im almost positive thats what broke mine. I was wearing CTIs and SG10 boots, so when i hit i think it found the weak spot and exploded the bone.
NorcalVet
Profile picture for user NorcalVet
Posts
639
Joined
9/6/2007
Location
Nor-cal, CA US
NorcalVet 7/27/2011 10:56pm
7/27/2011 10:56pm
.... I guess I'm lucky, I broke my left femur in April of this year. Full ROM for about a month now. Got rid of my 1 crutch about 4 weeks ago/ sped up recovery & strength right away. I just had my last Ortho appt and took my final x-rays. My break is completely healed--- I grew massive amounts of bone on all 4 sides!!
surfercross
Profile picture for user surfercross
Posts
66
Joined
2/27/2011
Location
Boca Raton, FL US
surfercross 7/28/2011 9:47am
7/28/2011 9:47am
The hardest thing for me right now is getting sleep.I have my first DR. app today and I have a shit load of questions as well.I have not been taking any pain meds and the pain is bearable.I elevate the leg and put a ice bag behind it and that really helps alot.I feel really guilty for putting my family through something like me crashing on my dirtbike!

Thanks to all here who have been giving their experiences and words of encouragement!!!!!
Justin314
Profile picture for user Justin314
Posts
634
Joined
2/17/2009
Location
Suffolk, VA US
Justin314 7/28/2011 10:09am
7/28/2011 10:09am Edited Date/Time 7/28/2011 10:12am
I didnt read all the posts, so some of the things I will say may have been said already, but I have broken my left tib and fib in five places a few years back. I have a plate and 8 screws in my fibula, and two longer screws in my tibia.

First of all, sorry to hear, and I know the recovery from breaking it and the surgery sucks. Im glad to hear youre not taking a lot of meds, but have them around in case you need something. Its going to hurt from time to time, especially soon after surgery. When youre lying down resting or sleeping, keep it elevated above your heart like someone else said. I kept mine on a couple pillows when I slept at night. Ice helps tremendously. Some people (such as my mother, whos a nurse practitioner) recommend 20 minutes on/20 minutes off , and some say 15 minutes on/15 minutes off. Whatever works better for you. Dont stand up for long periods of time right away...in my experience I could feel blood rushing down to my lower leg, which was rather uncomfortable.

Do exactly what your doc tells you. Expect to be off the bike for about three months or so. The doubts of wanting to ride again are normal, but Im pretty sure youll be itching to after a while. I found that doing some light workouts on an exercise bike after I got the cast off helped quite a bit. Also, make sure youre taking in enough calcium. If youre not big on milk, ask your doctor if they would recommend some calcium supplements.

Your leg will probably feel sore when its cold out, and before storms hit. Its normal.

Good luck in your recovery!

Post a reply to: Broke my leg