Posts
17
Joined
3/26/2020
Location
La Jolla, CA
US
Edited Date/Time
10/8/2022 3:04pm
First time post, long time visitor. Not here for sympathy but just overall advice. About 3 weeks ago, I took a digger at a local So Cal track while practicing. Ended up breaking my pelvis pretty bad (shattered the left into 7 pieces and sheered off the right side completely from the socket). Also broke 7 lower ribs with minor fractures to my L1-L5, as well as a collapsed lung. Had to be airlifted. Spent 1 week in the ICU, another in the PCU. Currently in a skilled nursing facility. 3 months non weight bearing before I can start rehab/PT.
As one can imagine, the pain had been miserable to say the least. I've broken bones in the past, but nothing this extensive. At 31 years old, I've ridden most my life. Motocross riding has always been my first love. However, laying here thinking how lucky I am to not have landed differently and be paralyzed has caused me to stop and reflect. Part of me wants to jump back on the bike once this is all over and resume. However another part of me wonders if I should hang it up, at least temporarily.
Most people I talk to just say to give up the sport entirely and count my blessings. Personally walking away is not an option. Others say just to tame it down next time. However, I dont see myself putting around (I'm by no means a pro rider, but I can get around a main track decently). My question to you guys is, how did you come back from an injury that genuinely shook you up? And how did you communicate with those people (parents, wife, friends) that were closely affected by your injury your love for riding must continue ?Curious what others have experienced.
As one can imagine, the pain had been miserable to say the least. I've broken bones in the past, but nothing this extensive. At 31 years old, I've ridden most my life. Motocross riding has always been my first love. However, laying here thinking how lucky I am to not have landed differently and be paralyzed has caused me to stop and reflect. Part of me wants to jump back on the bike once this is all over and resume. However another part of me wonders if I should hang it up, at least temporarily.
Most people I talk to just say to give up the sport entirely and count my blessings. Personally walking away is not an option. Others say just to tame it down next time. However, I dont see myself putting around (I'm by no means a pro rider, but I can get around a main track decently). My question to you guys is, how did you come back from an injury that genuinely shook you up? And how did you communicate with those people (parents, wife, friends) that were closely affected by your injury your love for riding must continue ?Curious what others have experienced.
I've had 3 motocross related knee surgeries and currently DO NOT have an ACL in my left knee. Doc said to ride a bit and see if I really kneed it. Turns out, not really. In September 2018, I absolutely destroyed my right shoulder and had to wait 4 months to get rotator cuff surgery as my fractured/smashed humerus healed up. No bueno. Was off the bike for 8 months, but I've been back riding since April 2019.
I list those injuries as a way of saying I've been there. Many of us have. Fractured pelvis? No. But my brother-in-law had his femur smash through the socket and it was very ugly for a while. He's back riding, now, too.
Back to commitment. Commit to rehab. Commit to getting to the point where YOU can make the decision. It is yours alone to make (in most cases). Don't let the injury make the decision for you if you can help it. So many injuries make the choice for us. I'm lucky despite my injuries. You may be, too, as you said.
No one can tell you if you SHOULD go back to Moto. Many people said stop riding? How many of those people ride Moto? The ones who do (and you've been riding Moto essentially your whole life, too) know it doesn't always make sense to ride Moto. As Dirty Harry Callahan once said, "A man's got to know his limitations."
We who ride motocross set out to find out where our limitations are almost every weekend. Sometimes we find them suddenly and unexpectedly. Personally, I wouldn't trade it for anything.
I wish you the best of luck on the journey to find yours, Rio. Be strong and see you on track in a few months.
Take it from a slightly older rider (I'm 49,) there is a whole lifetime after 40 for most of us. That life will only partially include motorcycles, and even then not at the same level you once enjoyed. And I've only broken a few small bones! It sucks to hear right now I bet, but you may want to consider all the other sports and fun activities you can get into as well.
A friend of mine broke his hip when we were in our 20s, and he is still affected today. He rides really, really well, but only to a certain speed and then he cuts himself off. That's a good way to do it.
Nice Barona pic in your avatar, BTW.
First and foremost, I was cycling again at 12 weeks. Got back on the dirt bike at 1 year and I wasn’t ready. Waited another year and still didn’t feel like I was ready. Waited 6 more months and gave myself the green light to buy another bike. I’m at 6 years now and my hip is 95%, that’s pretty good.
I can moto still but I keep it around the 80% rule.
Leave your number and I’ll call you sometime soon.
The Shop
About a year later he was back out there with us. But not pushing it. He's still fast today, but a more reserved fast if that makes sense. Still loves the sport. Good luck!!
I say stop riding now its not fair on your wife family & get involved in the sport in other ways, slowly it will work out & you can still enjoy all the aspects of MX just not fast riding anymore.
Looks like your in good shape so that will make things easy.
Deff don't sell all your stuff until you ride the first time again, I made that mistake 8months ago...
We all need to take care of our women, and do our part for them. That's a balancing act.
I agree with mattmatt300. We all make our own choices, but since your decision affects her as well, it's fair that she has a part in this decision. (Just my opinion here).
I'm 57 and ride a 125. I always have. I can still get hurt, but it sets a limit. If I had a 450, I know I'd use it, especially when racing, and that might not be a good thing (for me).
125's are also a total blast! I like them because of the way they make you ride, all out. It takes total focus to push the bike to its limit (working on that), having to choose good lines, ALWAYS be in the right gear, and keep momentum.
Personally, I rode some while my kids were growing up, and ride now as much as I want and as fast as I want, since they aren't so dependent on me.
Lastly, mountain biking is not selling out. It's a freaking awesome sport!
It doesn't offer the same adrenaline rush as motocross, but it's a really close second as my favorite sport.
I like it almost as much as MX, which surprised me.
Anyway, I wish you the best and hope you heal up quickly.
Lately I've been considering more and more smaller bikes. Having that limiter can help govern my riding. At the end of the day, learning better rider maturity on my part will be part of my recovery and me ultimately getting back on the bike. Mountain biking will definitely be something I am going explore more of. Thanks for the advice!
My best advice, please read this.
1: get off the pills ASAP. I can tell you both side as a provider who can prescribe narcotics and a patient who used them get the hell away from those things. Remember, pain is part of the process but suffering is not. Toradol and tylenol is the best combo. Toradol is controversial in for these kind of injuries. As your doc
2: Hit physical therapy like a banshee. DO NOT get lazy at PT. Get back in the gym ASAP too.
Pit Row
PS not that it matters but what track did it happen at?
Outside of the bone healing, and strength building, nerve damage down my leg, ankle and foot have created lingering issue. Been racing since 1976. This happened in on 2016. Still on the bike, but not in the same capacity as prior too.
Good luck with your recovery. Count on and appreciate your support systems. Lastly, don’t rush through any part of your next few months.
I was whining to my surgeon about the shooting pain and swelling early on during the recovery process. He said I need to be worried when the pain stops. That means the healing has stopped as well. Put some perspective on it. You’ll need something for the nerve pain, along with all the other pain meds. I was on gabapentin “2700mg/day” for a while. Got off all the other pain meds relatively quick, but the nerve issues were longer standing. Good luck. DM if you’d like to discuss anything during your recovery. Don’t be afraid to lean on the people around you. You’re gonna need that support.
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