broken femur

nobhead
Posts
428
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5/14/2008
Location
USA
3/2/2010 10:41am
You've gotta love moto, it's the only form of legal child abuse.
I have to agree. When my 9 yr old daughter broke her arms she was lying on the ground and said she "couldn't move her body". I wanted to shoot myself right there because I thought the worst. She meant she couldn't move her body because her arms were broken. The fastest prayer in history "please let her move and I'll never put her on a bike again", I am more superstitious than religious, but I am sticking to my promise. On the other hand, I agree with Dan D. I started racing at 6 and have broken everything including back and neck and I don't think I would change a thing. Except my suspension. I used put air in the release vavles. Stupid kid me!Blush
Chili
Posts
813
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Winnipeg, CA
3/2/2010 10:53am
nobhead wrote:
I have to agree. When my 9 yr old daughter broke her arms she was lying on the ground and said she "couldn't move her body"...
I have to agree. When my 9 yr old daughter broke her arms she was lying on the ground and said she "couldn't move her body". I wanted to shoot myself right there because I thought the worst. She meant she couldn't move her body because her arms were broken. The fastest prayer in history "please let her move and I'll never put her on a bike again", I am more superstitious than religious, but I am sticking to my promise. On the other hand, I agree with Dan D. I started racing at 6 and have broken everything including back and neck and I don't think I would change a thing. Except my suspension. I used put air in the release vavles. Stupid kid me!Blush
It's definitely something to struggle with as a parent. My son went through a stretch of 5 years where he broke in order; tib/fib, femur, rebroke femur and bent plate from previous break, collarbone and scapula.

After each injury I beat myself up for days/months and dealt with angry grandparents (even the ones who allowed me on MX bikes as a kid). In my case after the first femur break my son was 14 and we had an extensive talk about the risks of the sport and the fact that if that femur break had gone wrong he could have lost his life, he was very clear he understood the risks and wished to continue to race. He's 20 now and making his own choices but I'll be curious to watch his choices if we are blessed with grandchildren.
3/2/2010 1:23pm
nobhead wrote:
I have to agree. When my 9 yr old daughter broke her arms she was lying on the ground and said she "couldn't move her body"...
I have to agree. When my 9 yr old daughter broke her arms she was lying on the ground and said she "couldn't move her body". I wanted to shoot myself right there because I thought the worst. She meant she couldn't move her body because her arms were broken. The fastest prayer in history "please let her move and I'll never put her on a bike again", I am more superstitious than religious, but I am sticking to my promise. On the other hand, I agree with Dan D. I started racing at 6 and have broken everything including back and neck and I don't think I would change a thing. Except my suspension. I used put air in the release vavles. Stupid kid me!Blush
Chili wrote:
It's definitely something to struggle with as a parent. My son went through a stretch of 5 years where he broke in order; tib/fib, femur, rebroke...
It's definitely something to struggle with as a parent. My son went through a stretch of 5 years where he broke in order; tib/fib, femur, rebroke femur and bent plate from previous break, collarbone and scapula.

After each injury I beat myself up for days/months and dealt with angry grandparents (even the ones who allowed me on MX bikes as a kid). In my case after the first femur break my son was 14 and we had an extensive talk about the risks of the sport and the fact that if that femur break had gone wrong he could have lost his life, he was very clear he understood the risks and wished to continue to race. He's 20 now and making his own choices but I'll be curious to watch his choices if we are blessed with grandchildren.
Yeah I got real lucky as a kid racing from 3 1/2 yrs old til now. I've never actually worn a cast in all these years on a bike. I broke my nose ,my finger,thumb,(which was the worst)collarbone a couple times,ribs,knee surgery and a recent back surgery from years of abuse but nothing too serious. I consider myself super lucky. I promised one of my twin 7 yr old girls a 60 this summer and am crossing my fingers she has the same luck but I don't know how me or more importantly her mother is going to react to that 1st injury. She's watched me race and has seen all my pictures from when I was her age racing and has been bothering me for a bike for years and I'm finally giving in. 1/2 of me hopes she hates it and the other 1/2 of me wants her to be the next ashley f. Either way it will be 100% up to her. Like my father did with me I won't push her at all either way.
CamP
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6826
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Location
Colleyville, TX, USA
3/2/2010 1:30pm Edited Date/Time 3/2/2010 1:31pm
CamP wrote:
I'm glad I don't have kids. There's no way I could watch my elementary school age kid jump the stuff kids are doing nowadays on 65's...
I'm glad I don't have kids. There's no way I could watch my elementary school age kid jump the stuff kids are doing nowadays on 65's. The bikes are too good and the local boards are always full of so and so's 65 rider being on the injured reserve list with major injuries. It's crazy. My kid would be on the math team instead. lol
dirthead1 wrote:
I have one turning three in a few months and I have to keep myself in check all the time. Kid has a full on racing...
I have one turning three in a few months and I have to keep myself in check all the time.

Kid has a full on racing BMX 18" and he hasn't even figured out how to pedal his tricycle or big wheels (both sizes) or use his "Hotwalk" (little bike without cranks}. I just want him to always remember having motorcycles, bikes and surfboards.

Honestly, I hope he plays piano or guitar and a goofy sport like tennis and kills it with all the hot socialite girls. I have so many muscular and skeletal problems, riding almost feels like a curse at times. But I can't stop and it has been a lifetime of good times. I started at four...
Funny, I was talking to Kyle Cunningham's mom at the Tisco SX track the other and she said if she had it all to do over again, Kyle would have played piano. Kyle just rolled his eyes.

The Shop

GuyB
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Location
Aliso Viejo, CA, USA
3/2/2010 1:33pm
How about this...rather than ask on a moto board how long it takes, let him listen to his doctor, and take his time in coming back. Right now he's got all the time in the world. Do it right.
Outsider
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10628
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Location
Huntington Beach, CA, USA
3/2/2010 1:42pm
sharkey wrote:
one of my sons friends he races with with broke his femur this weekend. Hes only 9 years old. how long would it take to heal...
one of my sons friends he races with with broke his femur this weekend. Hes only 9 years old. how long would it take to heal from something like this, or get back on the bike again
Good eye!!

Phil Mickelson does alright.... Wink
sharkey
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Location
Marysville, WA, USA
3/2/2010 6:00pm
GuyB wrote:
How about this...rather than ask on a moto board how long it takes, let him listen to his doctor, and take his time in coming back...
How about this...rather than ask on a moto board how long it takes, let him listen to his doctor, and take his time in coming back. Right now he's got all the time in the world. Do it right.
i figured that some other parents on this board probably have had the same thing happened and might have some input on how it went for them
GuyB
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Aliso Viejo, CA, USA
3/2/2010 6:23pm
sharkey wrote:
i figured that some other parents on this board probably have had the same thing happened and might have some input on how it went for...
i figured that some other parents on this board probably have had the same thing happened and might have some input on how it went for them
That's all good...but I guess it varies case-by-case. it was the "How soon will he be back," line that threw me...like he (or his parents) were in a rush to get him back on a bike.
jwrider
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2
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3/2/2010
Location
Portland, ME, USA
3/2/2010 6:29pm
I am 38 and healthy. I broke my femur July 21,2009 (left leg ,clean break in the middle), gor rod put in that night and walked out of the hospital on crutches three days later. Surgeon said three months before I could ride again. Spent three months resting, eating healthy and did just what the doc said to do. Six trips for x-rays and checkups. Bone healed up slowly but surely. Pain went away in a couple weeks. The knee hurt for much longer and took a while for me to really feel good with the knee. I rode three months to the day later (albeit at a much reduced pace). I walked with a limp for about six months. Today all feels good and no limp. Do what the docs tell you, do not rush things and all should be fine. Shit happens!
SethLex
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75
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8/11/2008
Location
Lexington, KY, USA
3/2/2010 6:35pm
I had the exact same break, in the exact same spot, with the exact same surgery and intermedullary rod placed. Of course, I was 17 when I broke mine, not 9.

More or less, you are looking at a doc's recommendation of 6 months before he can get back on the bike, some tolerable healing pain, and extensive physical therapy (the muscles in the leg atrophy so ridiculously fast). In my experience it is SUPER important to stick with the the physical therapy regiment religiously.

Good news is, the pain after a full heal is more or less non existent. Every now and then I might get an aching sensation, but nothing that makes me break my stride. They'll have him flying around on crutches in no time.

Best of luck to the kid. Here's to good healin'!
wmapop700
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11/16/2009
Location
Murrieta, CA, USA
3/2/2010 9:58pm Edited Date/Time 3/2/2010 10:00pm
My Daughter is 14 and broke her femur in Sept. They did surgery and put a rod and some screws in. Took 4 months total to get back on the bike. The first month we kept her in a wheel chair to let it heal without her trying to walk around on it.( ABOUT 2 MONTHS ) Once the doctor said the x-rays were looking like it was healing good and she could put weight on it, he said to give it about seven more weeks. Once the leg felt good enough to run sprints at her maximum speed we let her back on the bike. Kids do heal fast; some good calcium pills or vitamins may help heal quicker as well as some good stretching.
WORCSRacer
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Clovis, CA, USA
3/2/2010 10:47pm Edited Date/Time 3/2/2010 10:55pm
GuyB wrote:
How about this...rather than ask on a moto board how long it takes, let him listen to his doctor, and take his time in coming back...
How about this...rather than ask on a moto board how long it takes, let him listen to his doctor, and take his time in coming back. Right now he's got all the time in the world. Do it right.
Screw that... I'll bet a lot of people on this board have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express before.
WORCSRacer
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Clovis, CA, USA
3/2/2010 10:53pm
SethLex wrote:
I had the exact same break, in the exact same spot, with the exact same surgery and intermedullary rod placed. Of course, I was 17 when...
I had the exact same break, in the exact same spot, with the exact same surgery and intermedullary rod placed. Of course, I was 17 when I broke mine, not 9.

More or less, you are looking at a doc's recommendation of 6 months before he can get back on the bike, some tolerable healing pain, and extensive physical therapy (the muscles in the leg atrophy so ridiculously fast). In my experience it is SUPER important to stick with the the physical therapy regiment religiously.

Good news is, the pain after a full heal is more or less non existent. Every now and then I might get an aching sensation, but nothing that makes me break my stride. They'll have him flying around on crutches in no time.

Best of luck to the kid. Here's to good healin'!
A 9 year old kid will heal quite differently than a 17 YO or an adult. Most likely it will be treated with Nancy Nails and will be healed in about 3 months. Work his way back to the bike with bicycling and running he's looking about 4 months. Kids have an unbelievable biological wind at their back.


slomoto
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380
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4/1/2008
Location
San Luis Obispo, CA, USA
3/2/2010 11:03pm
it depends on if its fractured or a compond. when I broke mine, by the time I stopped tumbleing down the track my right foot was touching my shoulder. the bones chewed the muscles pretty bad it took three months before I could comfortably ride a stationary bike. didnt ride a m/c for almost a year.
3/3/2010 5:55am
I broke my femur playing baseball 3 months in traction 18 months out(broke it in the dark ages), It's not abuse if the kids want to do it. No matter the age after the injury all that crossed my mind was when can I get back to doing the activity. My kid gets hurt and doesn't want to do whatever she was doing when hurt we move onto the next sport. If you fear injury participating then it's time to quit. It's like staring at what you want to avoid. End result is BAM.......
DAWG52
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3/24/2010
Location
Snohomish, WA, USA
6/4/2010 11:59am
Where do you add the gas to those.
My Boy Langdon got the ok from the doc to get back on the bike June 18th. But the rods will be removed on August 9th. Thanks guys
rmpilot
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776
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4/8/2010
Location
Tomah, WI, USA
6/4/2010 12:41pm
i found out breaking your femur and having a rod in it sucks. i probably have to get my hip replaced by the time im 40 because the next doctor said i probably did the same thing that bo jackson did to his his hip. my bike had air leak in to the front of the cylinder and it created a runaway effect and was basically wide open and i couldnt get it stall so i umped off the back of my bike and my leg went straight into the side of the ditch on the track. apparently the rod does not let any flex. not bad for the first race back lol. but thats messed with head riding more than my femur. and good luck dawg52 with everything going good with your son.
Tiki
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10616
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Corona, CA, USA
Fantasy
6/4/2010 1:08pm
sharkey wrote:
one of my sons friends he races with with broke his femur this weekend. Hes only 9 years old. how long would it take to heal...
one of my sons friends he races with with broke his femur this weekend. Hes only 9 years old. how long would it take to heal from something like this, or get back on the bike again
LOL!

What's the rush to get back out and race? Fire the trainer, teacher and mechanic and move on.
green645
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Location
Rocklin, CA, USA
6/4/2010 1:23pm
5 months n ityll be as good as new!!
TomZ
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Location
West Bloomfield, MI, USA
6/4/2010 7:00pm
My son broke his femur,fractured his pelvis and dislocated his hip when he was 8. You can plan on an easy 6 mos and more time to get a level of confidence back. Please make sure that he takes ALL the time needed before really getting after it. He is a kid and does not have a moto career at stake.
My son had 2 titanium rods and screws put in at the time of the accident. He has since had them removed and is back to every sort of normal sports activity.
For the dimwit who suggested motocross is legal child abuse......do yourself a favor and look around at other sports. Maybe we should have our kids live in a bubble and never do anything ?? OH....that isn't living is it....that is existing. I hope my kids continue to choose living. Couch potatoes need not apply.
tatonka
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8/31/2006
Location
Evergreen, CO, USA
6/5/2010 7:24am
Tom - pretty sure that dimwit was only kidding, but then again you never know on these boards!

Sharkey - refer the kids dad over to www.riderdown.org and have him complete an injured rider intake form. You never know, sometimes we actually do something nice for kids!

DanDunes - 7 yr old twin girls? Me too! They've got PW50s and one of them thinks she's Pastrana already. Of course, with my wife being the "First Lady" of RiderDown she's not too keen on them ever racing and I've got to admit it scares the hell out of me. We get injured rider reports here almost daily. I just hope they want to ride with their old man when they get older. My oldest daughter is 19 now and been on her own "rebel without a cause" mission for the last few years (that's another long and sad story), she just told me last week how much she misses riding. Maybe, she will turn out alright after all!

I busted my femur (at the ball) 10 years ago in a whoops section of a hare scramble. Rods, screws, etc.., I was already old at that point but still able to get back on the bike in less than 6 months. Finding the time for elective surgery to get the metal removed later on was hard but probably one of the best medical decisions I could have made.

Life is hard - wear a helmet!
sharkey
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2446
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Marysville, WA, USA
6/5/2010 8:31am
never thought i would see this thread resurface but my sons friend is doing great. his doctor said he will be good to go in about 3 weeks for riding again. originall they said the start of sept to get back on the bike. this is about 2 months ahead of what they thought originally. thanks everyone for your input, so i guess it will be about 5 months. i know it was hard fro my son to see his buddy get hurt like that , kind of took some fire out of him for awhile
FLmxer
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7310
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SouthWest, FL, USA
Fantasy
6/5/2010 9:05am Edited Date/Time 6/5/2010 9:06am
I was on a bike at at very young age and like many swore my kid was going to be riding with me when I had some. My daughter was born and I had the BBr 50 all set for her before she could walk just looking forward to the day she was old enough to ride. Well a few years later she is riding with training wheels around the yard and we had a little track on the other side of the property. When she seemed comfortable on the bike on flat ground i thought it would be ok to let her on the track at a slow speed. Well she gets on the track looks over at me and just pins it WFO at the first jump and I was in shock. She launched about chest high and flatlanded actually perfectly but her training wheel clipped the edge of another jump and she hi-sided and the bike landed on her. I ran over and asked her why she did that and she said she wanted to do it just like me. DOH! I said it took many years for me to be able to do that and you have to start slow and she got it. Luckily she was not injured. After some time on our track I took her to the real track and she rode on the mini track as she made her first lap and slowly rolling on top of the biggest jump on the track two kids on 65s came by her and clipped her handle bars and she went flying of the side and the bike landed on her. I grabbed her and blood was pouring out of her nose and mouth. I was shocked but i said "oh you broke your nose and now you are like the rest of us with our injury list" she said no and I asked if she bit her tonge and she said no. So I asked where all the blood was from and she said she was climbing a tree the day before and a stick cut inside her nose and the helmet reopened the wound and she laughed. I was so worried about her but she was laughing. I was scarred to death at first. Luckily a motorhome had just passed in front of mom when it happened and she missed it. She rode only a few more times and is now captain of her Volleyball and basketball teams. Not really interested in riding and that is ok for me. I thought I would be a hardcore mini dad but its hard to see our kids hurt.
Dirtysmile56
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2210
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Bend, OR, USA
6/5/2010 9:15am
Hey Tom, I'm actually a "Dimwhit" I understand the risks involved in our beloved addiction er I mean sport I've chosen to partake in for the past 30+ years and choose to be cynical about it. I'm also the same guy that will help a dimwit (if they're nice) change a tube,figure out a problem or lend them a tool on raceday.

A "dimwit" is the guy who thinks pushing their child to race and get back on the bike quickly after major injuries is not child abuse.

dimwit's also usually get three to four mortgage's on the double wide to finance juniors racing career. 401 kid retirement plan.
9/1/2010 2:14pm
i broke my femur 2 months ago now
doctors told me it was a leg threatening injury
they also told me i was lucky to survive my crash
i was just wondering if anyone knew roughly how long it would be until i could ride again?
because people have said femur breaks take longer to repair in teenage males??
it was a mid-shaft fracture aswell.

thanks
9/1/2010 2:14pm Edited Date/Time 9/1/2010 2:17pm
WORCSRacer
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2295
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4/1/2008
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Clovis, CA, USA
9/1/2010 2:50pm
Ben_Budgen wrote:
[b]i broke my femur 2 months ago now doctors told me it was a leg threatening injury they also told me i was lucky to survive...
i broke my femur 2 months ago now
doctors told me it was a leg threatening injury
they also told me i was lucky to survive my crash
i was just wondering if anyone knew roughly how long it would be until i could ride again?
because people have said femur breaks take longer to repair in teenage males??
it was a mid-shaft fracture aswell.

thanks
Q) Do you know why people say it takes longer for teenage males to heal from Femur fractures?

A) Because most teenage Males don't listen to their Doctor and proceed on to be non-compliant patients participating in a bunch of activities they shouldn't be during the healing process.

Moral of the story: Slow down and heal up.
9/1/2010 2:57pm
okay, thanks for the advice
MXER231
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84
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7/29/2010
Location
Brandon, MS, USA
9/1/2010 3:02pm
I broke mine back in Jan of 08 and I was back racing in 10 weeks. I was 20 at the time and was really training hard and worked hard a Pt. But everyone heals different and mentally it takes a long time to recover. I was racing but I wasnt 100% mentally for a long time.
9/1/2010 3:22pm
sharkey wrote:
one of my sons friends he races with with broke his femur this weekend. Hes only 9 years old. how long would it take to heal...
one of my sons friends he races with with broke his femur this weekend. Hes only 9 years old. how long would it take to heal from something like this, or get back on the bike again
how bad was your fracture?
was it a clean break?

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