Broken Tib/fib journal
- Thread starter Honey Badger
- Start date
Honey Badger
...iz a girl
Been able to "weight bear" for nearly a week now, although my first PT appointment isn't until tomorrow. That being said, there's a really big difference between putting weight on something and walking on it :laughing The most I've done are a few very hobbling steps without assistance in the form of a crutch or cane. Speed is still best obtained with crutches, although I can make decent time with one crutch. Cane is still pretty slow.
Overall, though, leg seems to be responding well. That being said, my foot is loudly protesting being put back to work. Not my leg, not my ankle, my foot. It was apparently enjoying the vacation and i having a minor temper tantrum right now LOL.
Went to the AFM races over the weekend, it was torture but in the end I was glad I went. Since we left on Thursday I got the entire long weekend there to start using the leg a bit more. Day one was minimal, but did a bit, but boy was my foot unhappy. Saturday did a little more, was riding around on the scooter and overall feeling a little better. Sunday was similar to Saturday. Monday I drove my truck to work then home - I was able to, but I was really, really glad I had been able to use the leg for a few days first, not sure I could have driven it before that.
Today was my first time back on the bike. The scooter had proven to be pretty easy to ride over the weekend, especially by the 3rd day, so I decided the bike would be okay today. With the rain I was going to skip it and wait for better conditions, but traffic decided there was no way I was getting to BART at a reasonable time, so I went through the process of getting back on the bike. Unfortunately this also meant breaking in brand new gear I had yet to wear (sold my old set), PLUS the added joys of rain riding and rain gear. Also had to figure out what walking assistance i could or couldn't carry on the bike - turns out I had to go with the cane, figuring out a crutch would take way more time than I had.
Riding wasn't too bad - balancing the bike was pretty easy, so that's good. Getting my leg up on the pegs was a bit of work but got easier the more I did it. Downshifting (puling up on the lever - I swap all my bikes to gp shift) proved to be the most difficult thing but I was getting better by the end of the commute in.
We shall see how the ride home goes!
Overall, though, leg seems to be responding well. That being said, my foot is loudly protesting being put back to work. Not my leg, not my ankle, my foot. It was apparently enjoying the vacation and i having a minor temper tantrum right now LOL.
Went to the AFM races over the weekend, it was torture but in the end I was glad I went. Since we left on Thursday I got the entire long weekend there to start using the leg a bit more. Day one was minimal, but did a bit, but boy was my foot unhappy. Saturday did a little more, was riding around on the scooter and overall feeling a little better. Sunday was similar to Saturday. Monday I drove my truck to work then home - I was able to, but I was really, really glad I had been able to use the leg for a few days first, not sure I could have driven it before that.
Today was my first time back on the bike. The scooter had proven to be pretty easy to ride over the weekend, especially by the 3rd day, so I decided the bike would be okay today. With the rain I was going to skip it and wait for better conditions, but traffic decided there was no way I was getting to BART at a reasonable time, so I went through the process of getting back on the bike. Unfortunately this also meant breaking in brand new gear I had yet to wear (sold my old set), PLUS the added joys of rain riding and rain gear. Also had to figure out what walking assistance i could or couldn't carry on the bike - turns out I had to go with the cane, figuring out a crutch would take way more time than I had.
Riding wasn't too bad - balancing the bike was pretty easy, so that's good. Getting my leg up on the pegs was a bit of work but got easier the more I did it. Downshifting (puling up on the lever - I swap all my bikes to gp shift) proved to be the most difficult thing but I was getting better by the end of the commute in.
We shall see how the ride home goes!
anytwowilldo
Well-known member
:thumbup
More great news! You are moving in the right direction.
arty
More great news! You are moving in the right direction.
arty
Honey Badger
...iz a girl
PT appointment went pretty much as planned other than, she wants me using it more. Basically, get rid of the crutch unless I really need it for speed, otherwise use the cane. Start going on walks with the cane everyday, and then of course the usual range of little exercises to do each day. She's hoping to start me on some balance work soon so we can get those supporting muscles going, which my knee will definitely need.
By the end of the day yesterday my leg was PISSED, but by half way through the night was good again, so it was just a big day for it. She's all for using it and if I need to, go ahead and ice/elevate as needed, but get it moving. Some of my range is pretty bad, but nothing unexpected or surprising, and once we were there and loosened it up, the range wasn't too bad considering...but still a lot of room for improvement.
Hoping the riding will help a bit too! If nothing else, mentally, being back on the bike and getting some happy throttle twists in there are great. As long as CHP doesn't see it :laughing
By the end of the day yesterday my leg was PISSED, but by half way through the night was good again, so it was just a big day for it. She's all for using it and if I need to, go ahead and ice/elevate as needed, but get it moving. Some of my range is pretty bad, but nothing unexpected or surprising, and once we were there and loosened it up, the range wasn't too bad considering...but still a lot of room for improvement.
Hoping the riding will help a bit too! If nothing else, mentally, being back on the bike and getting some happy throttle twists in there are great. As long as CHP doesn't see it :laughing
EastBayDave
- Kawasaki Fanatic -
Glad u were able to get to the races/that's a big day on a leg all that walking around the pits. It's why God invented pit bikes...:afm199 :teeth
Hear you on the PT; u should hear what I did yesterday =Jazzersize! :wow
I hurt like big time today. So totally sympathize; owe! Keep at it! :thumbup
-d
Hear you on the PT; u should hear what I did yesterday =Jazzersize! :wow
I hurt like big time today. So totally sympathize; owe! Keep at it! :thumbup
-d
anytwowilldo
Well-known member
Sounds like everything is going very well. She wants you up on your leg and using it as much as tolerable. Hopefully it gets a little better everyday and in a couple of months you forgot where you left your cane.
Honey Badger
...iz a girl
Few PT appointments in, she still has no issues with my use of the leg, and is continuing to push for further progress, so I usually don't feel like I'm "overdoing" anything.
Riding has gotten easier, walking is getting - well, slightly easier. I've given up the cane for the most part - didn't even bring it with me to work today. I'm a little slower without it, but it's only going to help to push me to walk more normally.
I never realized how much I'd have to think about walking :laughing It sounds so simple, but I have to really pay attention to try to use a more-proper gait rather than just letting things flop about. That's one thing the PT is great for, is catching those things before I develop muscles improperly, plus giving specific exercises for what I need to recover properly.
Will be at the track this weekend (Sun/Mon) for the first time. All registered for AFM Round 2, but may be revising my choices if my laptimes are suffering - between the leg and the new bike, I'm not holding my breath. I have expectations, but also realize I may not quite meet them. But, got some good advice from Ken Hill, so will try to focus on what I can do well rather than on the things that I'm struggling with....
Riding has gotten easier, walking is getting - well, slightly easier. I've given up the cane for the most part - didn't even bring it with me to work today. I'm a little slower without it, but it's only going to help to push me to walk more normally.
I never realized how much I'd have to think about walking :laughing It sounds so simple, but I have to really pay attention to try to use a more-proper gait rather than just letting things flop about. That's one thing the PT is great for, is catching those things before I develop muscles improperly, plus giving specific exercises for what I need to recover properly.
Will be at the track this weekend (Sun/Mon) for the first time. All registered for AFM Round 2, but may be revising my choices if my laptimes are suffering - between the leg and the new bike, I'm not holding my breath. I have expectations, but also realize I may not quite meet them. But, got some good advice from Ken Hill, so will try to focus on what I can do well rather than on the things that I'm struggling with....
anytwowilldo
Well-known member
You are doing very well. I don't know what I would do in your position. Getting on a race bike on a race track is not like getting out to play golf. Be careful and remember your leg may not react as quickly or accurately as it did before your surgery. It needs time to fully heal and rehab.
Enough of that talk. Speed first, glory second and safety third. Let her rip AJ, but please be careful!
Enough of that talk. Speed first, glory second and safety third. Let her rip AJ, but please be careful!
Honey Badger
...iz a girl
Hahaha, thankfully I've managed a few street rides that have given me an idea on what to expect - I know about when and where it's going to give me trouble, and my reactions to it, so I at least have an idea of what to expect in that department - not the same extremes by any stretch, but I'll be going slow getting used to the new bike, too, so I'll be building up speed rather than going out on a bike I know and am familiar with only to find I'm not there
But honestly I can't wait - been looking (and buying things for, and paying for) this bike all winter - actually getting to turn a few laps, well, I can hardly wait :thumbup
But honestly I can't wait - been looking (and buying things for, and paying for) this bike all winter - actually getting to turn a few laps, well, I can hardly wait :thumbup
1962siia
Well-known member
Hahaha, thankfully I've managed a few street rides that have given me an idea on what to expect - I know about when and where it's going to give me trouble, and my reactions to it, so I at least have an idea of what to expect in that department - not the same extremes by any stretch, but I'll be going slow getting used to the new bike, too, so I'll be building up speed rather than going out on a bike I know and am familiar with only to find I'm not there
But honestly I can't wait - been looking (and buying things for, and paying for) this bike all winter - actually getting to turn a few laps, well, I can hardly wait :thumbup
Woohoo! Very cool! Have a great time out there!
Honey Badger
...iz a girl
So, some updates as the last couple weeks got a little crazy.
Things seemed to be moving along pretty well, and last Monday (the 10th) I finally got out on my new bike for our maiden voyage. That machine is absolutely amazing - my brain needs a LOT of reprogramming, and I'm realizing what a pile that 675 really was, but I think I'm in love.
The leg actually gave me fewer problems on track than I thought it would - I had to plan my downshifting out early, and it definitely fatigued quicker, but was holding up pretty good otherwise. My choice in suit/boot combo, however wasn't the best. My Axial boots were a bit small, so I opted for my Sidi which were easier to get in and out of. That meant, however, that I had to cram my suit leg into my boot. This irritated that skin/tibia plate especially, but I didn't think much of it at the time.
That Wednesday i go in for PT and my therapist comments on the inflammation over that plate, and it was pretty sensitive when she was touching it. This planted a little red flag in my mind, but I still wasn't think too much of it other than it was irritated.
Friday afternoon/evening things started to go downhill. The area where the fracture blister had been was stretching out with only a thin cover over the area and feeling very "fluidy" underneath. I put on a moist dressing to see what it would do - well, Saturday afternoon it opened up. A variety of thin fluids came out, enough to indicate there was a chance of infection going on. GREEEEEEAAATTT.
Well, I couldn't set up an appointment until Monday, and since there were no other signs of an infection, passed up on visiting the ER. So, Sunday, I headed out to Sonoma for a very wet trackday. Threw some rain tires on the bike, and went out for about 4 sessions. I was having fun (maxed out every pussy setting the bike has :laughing) and enjoying it, and decided to call it a day while that was still the case.
Monday morning called to make an appointment for the leg (which I had been treating externally pretty aggressively - after growing up on a farm, managing horse barns for years, and my own research this winter, I've got a pretty good idea how to proceed). Wednesday (yesterday) went in to meet with the ortho, and, much like me, he was disappointed to see this had happened, but there wasn't much to do about it other than move on (he had originally expected this, but since the blister had healed over he had hoped we had dodged that bullet - apparently not). He set up surgery for super early Thursday morning (today).
So, got up super early and went in for surgery. The plan was to flush and clean and debribe as needed, and for him to see what and where the infection may have taken hold. If it was under the plate, then he would have to pull the hardware out - which, while not the end of the world since the bones have set, would still end up delaying my recovery by quite a bit since they haven't had THAT long to heal yet. He'd also collect samples for labs so infectious disease can determine the best course of action in terms of antibiotics.
As it turns out, things must have mostly been on the surface, as he was able to leave the hardware in there (thank goodness). Now it's just waiting for labs and going on from there, just on a general antibiotic for now. At least I can remain weight bearing! Didn't get a chance to talk to him post-op at all as he had another appointment in Fairfield right after mine, so I don't have too many details other than the obvious.
Right now pain is pretty mild, mostly pretty specific to right where they worked - huge bulky bandage over the area so can't really see what he did, but weight on the leg doesn't seem to bother it at all so I'm mucking around with my cane and mostly just trying to let it rest today.
At least this way I can still make it to the races at the end of the month!
Things seemed to be moving along pretty well, and last Monday (the 10th) I finally got out on my new bike for our maiden voyage. That machine is absolutely amazing - my brain needs a LOT of reprogramming, and I'm realizing what a pile that 675 really was, but I think I'm in love.
The leg actually gave me fewer problems on track than I thought it would - I had to plan my downshifting out early, and it definitely fatigued quicker, but was holding up pretty good otherwise. My choice in suit/boot combo, however wasn't the best. My Axial boots were a bit small, so I opted for my Sidi which were easier to get in and out of. That meant, however, that I had to cram my suit leg into my boot. This irritated that skin/tibia plate especially, but I didn't think much of it at the time.
That Wednesday i go in for PT and my therapist comments on the inflammation over that plate, and it was pretty sensitive when she was touching it. This planted a little red flag in my mind, but I still wasn't think too much of it other than it was irritated.
Friday afternoon/evening things started to go downhill. The area where the fracture blister had been was stretching out with only a thin cover over the area and feeling very "fluidy" underneath. I put on a moist dressing to see what it would do - well, Saturday afternoon it opened up. A variety of thin fluids came out, enough to indicate there was a chance of infection going on. GREEEEEEAAATTT.
Well, I couldn't set up an appointment until Monday, and since there were no other signs of an infection, passed up on visiting the ER. So, Sunday, I headed out to Sonoma for a very wet trackday. Threw some rain tires on the bike, and went out for about 4 sessions. I was having fun (maxed out every pussy setting the bike has :laughing) and enjoying it, and decided to call it a day while that was still the case.
Monday morning called to make an appointment for the leg (which I had been treating externally pretty aggressively - after growing up on a farm, managing horse barns for years, and my own research this winter, I've got a pretty good idea how to proceed). Wednesday (yesterday) went in to meet with the ortho, and, much like me, he was disappointed to see this had happened, but there wasn't much to do about it other than move on (he had originally expected this, but since the blister had healed over he had hoped we had dodged that bullet - apparently not). He set up surgery for super early Thursday morning (today).
So, got up super early and went in for surgery. The plan was to flush and clean and debribe as needed, and for him to see what and where the infection may have taken hold. If it was under the plate, then he would have to pull the hardware out - which, while not the end of the world since the bones have set, would still end up delaying my recovery by quite a bit since they haven't had THAT long to heal yet. He'd also collect samples for labs so infectious disease can determine the best course of action in terms of antibiotics.
As it turns out, things must have mostly been on the surface, as he was able to leave the hardware in there (thank goodness). Now it's just waiting for labs and going on from there, just on a general antibiotic for now. At least I can remain weight bearing! Didn't get a chance to talk to him post-op at all as he had another appointment in Fairfield right after mine, so I don't have too many details other than the obvious.
Right now pain is pretty mild, mostly pretty specific to right where they worked - huge bulky bandage over the area so can't really see what he did, but weight on the leg doesn't seem to bother it at all so I'm mucking around with my cane and mostly just trying to let it rest today.
At least this way I can still make it to the races at the end of the month!
avu3
Been around the block
If I'm clear on your story, the gear didn't cause the infection, it just irritated it and caused it to be detected.
If that's the case, what you call "wasn't the best" really was probably a blessing in disguise. Detecting it before it got under the plate and the need to remove the hardware and that recovery sounds like a net positive, even if temporarily you're back on wound-patrol and meds.
Its also good to hear you got two days on the new bike and you're feeling enthusiastic about it. More motivation to be patient for a complete recovery, rather than rushing things. You know the bike is good, even if you miss a couple events, you can look forward to having fun the rest of the season.
Scott
If that's the case, what you call "wasn't the best" really was probably a blessing in disguise. Detecting it before it got under the plate and the need to remove the hardware and that recovery sounds like a net positive, even if temporarily you're back on wound-patrol and meds.
Its also good to hear you got two days on the new bike and you're feeling enthusiastic about it. More motivation to be patient for a complete recovery, rather than rushing things. You know the bike is good, even if you miss a couple events, you can look forward to having fun the rest of the season.
Scott
Honey Badger
...iz a girl
You're correct, the suit simply irritated things, may or may not have caused the flare up, but certainly didn't cause the infection.
I'm still planning on making round 2 at this point, since I'm allowed weight bearing, as long as I'm not in danger of tearing things open, I see no reason not to ride. I'll have had a good week and a half of recovery by then.
A little stingy/sore today, but weight bearing doesn't bother it, just the movement of the skin. But I have no idea what all they have buried under the rather generous bandages on the leg :laughing.
I'm still planning on making round 2 at this point, since I'm allowed weight bearing, as long as I'm not in danger of tearing things open, I see no reason not to ride. I'll have had a good week and a half of recovery by then.
A little stingy/sore today, but weight bearing doesn't bother it, just the movement of the skin. But I have no idea what all they have buried under the rather generous bandages on the leg :laughing.
EastBayDave
- Kawasaki Fanatic -
It's only been 4.5 months AJ; part of me wants to congratulate you on the new ride & awesome you've been able to get "on-track" w/it. I used to think that way back when I was younger; "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!"
However the "worry wart" in me says no offence, but you're rushing it? Even pro-athletes would be out longer, & hastening this could be very bad. Thank God the infection hadn't spread; outcome could have been unthinkable.
One thing that might help, run your leg leathers "outside" the boot instead of inside boot. I think that would reduce irritation? I raced that way 8 seasons & never had a problem even w/high speed bails. Just until the wound has fully healed, then put it back inside.
Happy your back aboard again, & congrats on the new ride.:thumbup
-d
Honey Badger
...iz a girl
That's actually what I normally do - and that's what I did on Sunday and the leg felt fine that way....just my "normal" race boots are about 2 sizes too small right now, so I was trying my old ones which fit my foot better but didn't fit under the suit. Sunday I wore my commute boot which I could get under my suit which will be the fix until I can get some new, bigger, race boots.
As for rushing, my doc has cleared me for things at this point - I'm not waiting around, that's for sure, and if there's one thing I've learned about healing, is listen to your body - if your body is okay with it, then freaking do it, you'll heal a lot faster. If it's not, listen to that, too, and take it easy.