Broke my pelvis in three places, 4 upper ribs and left clavice on 4/11. All healed with only occasional problems with the left shoulder. Was walking in 7 weeks and back to work the week after that. Collision avoidance swerve on my '09 FJR on a wet road at 10 - 15 mph. First 5 minutes back on the bike were a bit strange but it has been great ever since.
Yesterday was the one year anniversary of my accident, and although I have healed just fine, every day I am reminded that I had quite an injury down there. Some days it's just a little ache or pain, some nights when I get into bed my ankle aches enough that I have to get up and take a couple of aspirin, but I can walk normally, take my dogs for a mile or two walk almost daily. I do find I am a little more cautious/tentative in situations that have the potential to twist my ankle. Regarding riding, I have no problem whatsoever with street riding, have had my GTL out a couple of times for some great tours with no issues whatsoever, compression stockings I have found make a huge difference when long distance touring in end-of-day comfort. Dirt riding, however, is a different story. I am definitely more tentative. I did go to the Rawhyde Arizona Rally, and the first day of dirt riding I was very nervous and tight riding in a group that I did not now. After about 45 minutes of riding we stopped and took a break, this was on pretty easy fire roads in the mountains south of Flagstaff, and I was almost ready to turn around and head back to camp. I was really questioning myself whether I should be doing that. I got back on the bike and things did start to ease up for me and I got to feeling more comfortable on the bike. The next day did a similar ride, and all was going well until I tried to turn around on a slight slope and the bike got away from me and went over and in getting off I twisted/sprained the opposite knee from the leg I injured. Great. That turned out ok, it wasn't hurt too bad, several days of icing and painkillers brought it around. This really got me to thinking about my abilities to handle a 1200GS. The last ride I took on my GS this summer was over Guanella Pass in the Front Range of Colorado, which is basically paved the whole way, some dirt sections, and we took an off-road trail which went pretty well except for a stream crossing we came to, and I could not bring myself to cross it. It wasn't particularly long or deep, but I just couldn't bring myself to cross that stream for fear of slipping and dropping the bike yet again and hurting something else, or my already compromised ankle. So, the GS sits, I love the bike, love the exploring, but I think my time may be up with it. There is a new Wrangler Rubicon sitting in my driveway which allows my wife to come along with me to enjoy the back country, this will be how I explore in the future. As Harry Callahan played by Clint Eastwood said, "A man's got to know his limitations."
I broke my ankle (trimaellor) fracture on the 6th May this year. Titanium plate and 9 screws.. I'm walking and jogging - and cycling a fair bit.. Still swells bad by the end of the day, but if I wear my compression socks, its normally fine. It doesn't really hurt, but it feels different from the other leg - my guess is that it always will, and I'll just get used to it. They tell me they want to leave the hardware in..its just under the skin on the outside of my ankle, gives a sting if you cross your legs or move your legs wrong in bed..I'll be seeing the doc again in coming months to see if its ok to have out...I'd feel better (even if my leg doesn't) if it wasn't in there..
Wow!! 11 pages+, quite a thread. Wish I had this much info (and sympathy?) when I shattered my ankle years ago. Early 70's, Kawi 750 Triple, tight decreasing radius turn with huge frost heaves before the apex. And a squid with more balls than ability in the saddle. Went screaming into this unknown turn and blew it. Too much brake way too late and those big frost heaves in the pavement totally upset the bike,resulting in a big high side get off. Slide several yards across the pavement, off into the weeds where my outstretched right leg met with a good sized boulder in the weeds. Complete arrest of speed, all absorbed by the ankle. Protective gear?? "Shit, we don't need no protective gear...we're young and stupid". Levi's, Levi jacket, tennis shoes. and an early Bell full face helmet, 'bout the only good peice of gear on. Bonked my head a good one, but the helmet did it's job. Lesson learned there. Net result was a heel cup and ankle shattered in a gazillion pieces. X-rays looked like 3 ice cubes in a baggie thrown at a wall, what a mess!! Reconstructive surgery, 2 screws and 2 casts, 6 months later finally off the crutches. Doctor informed me that the two most complex joints in the body are the ankle and wrists because of the many small bones. Reminded me because of this, said they are the most painful and longest to heal fractures one can endure. He was right, hurt like the dickens. Recovery similar to the other inmates comments. Ankle swollen like a grapefruit, tender as hell and the better part of 10 years before I could say it was fully healed and pain free. It's one of those things that stays with you for a LONG time. But, there is an upside to all this. You know the old wive's tale of ability to predict weather, "I can feel it in my bones, it's gonna rain". Yup, I'm more accurate than the talking heads on TV now!!!!
I just read through this entire thread for advice because my husband is now a member of the club. Last Sunday on a trip home from the Texas Hill Country, he had a bad left low side off his bike. Two ambulance rides later (115 miles!) he was in Temple, Tx for surgery to repair two tibia, 1 fibula and an ankle fracture. Unfortunately because of a previous total knee replacement on the same leg, the normal fix of placing a rod down the tibia was not an option. So, 12 screws and two plates later, he's put back together with no weight bearing for 3 months. I feel so bad for him as he broke ribs too so he's having a hell of a time getting around. Each day he is just a little better but the task of recovery from this get off seems rather daunting at this point. I'll get him on the laptop this afternoon so he can read this thread. He's been riding for 40 years and this is his only crash so we both consider him lucky and know that his injuries could have been worse. He wants to ride again. I'm thankful for that because I ride my own bike too and have way more fun when we are riding together. I'm interested to know if anyone has crashed again after having the plates installed. Specifically, would a subsequent injury to the same leg wind up fracturing the only area of his leg that isn't plated? With a knee implant and both leg bones plated, he only has about a 4 inch area of his tibia, just below his knee implant that doesn't have steel on it. My concern would be that this portion of his leg, in the event of another get off, would break in an instant. Kinda scary. I'm really glad that I found this thread with all the good info. Thanks to all of you for sharing your experiences.
Queenie, I'm so sorry to read of your husband's accident. I have yet to really get back to motorcycling, but please tell your husband that at 62 I had my first motorcycle accident and broke my ankle (plate and screws). I recovered enough after 3 months to start back at some serious bicycle riding only to get involved in a worse accident (compound, comminuted clavicular fracture, 5 broken ribs and a pneumothorax). It has been 7 months now since any broken bones and I'm bicycling 20 miles 3 times/week for the last 3 weeks. I pinch myself that I've been able to return to my normal activities after those 2 accidents. A return to motorcycling will commence soon.
If I crash on my right leg the wrong way it is going to break where they drilled holes in my fibula to run the ligaments. I didn't get plates or screws but it was non load bearing for six months plus another three or four in a walking boot because of the bone work. Then a second scope surgery to clean up soft tissue damage he couldn't get the first time. So that was another three months in a boot waiting on tendons to heal. So the idea crashing on that ankle is a bit scary. The amount of damage I could do with a smple get off is pretty impressive. What I do is never ride without MX boots plus strap on knee/shin armor. To be honest, I won't even start my kick only 200 unless I am wearing that stuff. My friends have accepted that I am going to armored up from knees down no matter how casual the ride. So far I have only had one really bad crash since the surgery. I endoed and the bike landed on my left ankle and slid down the trail. It did zero damage to my ankle. My shoulder and butt weren't so lucky. But if I had landed on my bad ankle the boots would have saved me because I literally felt nothing through the boots. Good MX boots are expensive. And I am due for a new pair. But I figure they are the only thing between me and a broken leg plus fused ankle.
usually the next fracture will be above or below the old injury... FYI biker divided between the one that been down and the one that WILL be down..
I had a a major ankle injury in 2009 (not motorcycle related). At the time of injury I didn't realize the extent of the damage, I hobbled out to my car while hanging onto any ledge or railing I could for support, drove home, put ice on my ankle then realized the pain was so great that I was reaching my threshold quickly (looking back I was probably going into some form of shock as nearly an hour had passed since the break). I had the GF come home and take me to the hospital where I was told after first inspection that I would be needed surgery right away. Damage included completely broken ankle (luckily not compound) with 5" spiral fracture up the bone from the break, chipped heal and all tendons ripped off the inside of my foot. I was in surgery roughly 6 hours after the break and came out with a plate and 7 screws. I experienced similar symptoms of heavy throbbing in my leg if left "down" for too much time, swelling (to the extent that at one point my skin just peeled off like a really bad sunburn) along with general stiffness. I returned to get the 2 largest screws out of my ankle but am still carrying the plate and remaining 5 screws today. FWIW, as it's coming up on roughly 3 years from my break I can say that my general mobility is only slightly, if at all, hindered. Cold/Wet mornings I can sometimes feel a small amount of stiffness but nothing that would be any worse than the feeling of a mildly tight muscle. Hopefully this won't be a downer for you but as far as size goes my ankle has never returned to "normal" size. It's not huge by any means but it's visibly larger than my "good" ankle. I would estimate it to be about 10-20% larger in diameter at the worst spot, people aren't going to notice it if your walking around in shorts and tennis shoes but if you look down at yourself you will be able to tell right away, you may also be able to tell on mx boots as you will have to loosen up one boot a little more. Long story short, I'm by no means a doctor but if it's anything like my experience you will probably slowly shrink over quite a long period but 10-20% larger is where my ankle settled at. The mornings will also slowly go away, or at least you will quit noticing, not sure which for me on that one, lol. Good luck on healing, make sure to try and stay flexible with ankle exercises (especially before bed in the evening when your relaxed).
Well, it's been almost exactly a year since I broke my tibia, fibula, and ankle. I'm happy to report that I have recovered quite well. I'm walking and hiking with no perceptible limp, and have essentially no ankle swelling. My knee is a little stiff, and I can feel it more when stepping down (as when hiking downhill), but it's bearable. All my hardware is still in place and I have no plans to remove the hardware. Two weeks after my accident: One year later: That scar on the inside of my leg is where the bones were sticking out. Ick!! It makes me queasy to think about that. So, how is everyone else in broken ankle/broken leg land? Post up your updates and let us know how you are doing!
Hi all first let me say great forum . I'm a 40 year old road and dirt rider Two weeks ago today a aged driver pulled out of a supermarket driveway saw me went to jump on the break hit the gas instead . T-boned me . Ambo ride latter ..open calcaneal fracture..peroneal tendon dislocation..ankle dislocation lateral ligament tear..fracture distal tibia .. So lots of x-rays later 4hours under the knife pins and screws in plaster foot up . Dock says I'm in a world of shit for a wile and judging by these story's his telling the truth 1st week very little pain except when I don't have it up .blood rushes lotsa pain 2nd week easing off pain meds fair bit of pain were pins went in tiba still no pain in heal and ankle (don't know if that's a good thing ) Have docs tomorrow will know more then Think I'm in for a longhall
It's been a year and 4 months for me now. After all boots and hardware were finally done with and out in March of '12, I did ok, but there wasn't a day go by that I wasn't reminded of the fact I did something to that ankle. Not excruciating pain, but always a reminder by way of stiffness, soreness, etc., nothing that really inhibited my day-to-day living with the noted exception that I am still very gun-shy riding my GS1200 off-road. The injury hasn't affected me mentally on road, however, I had an amazing ride this year on my GTL on the Dragon and roads in that area. Anyway, at about the 1 year mark, I noticed that my ankle didn't remind me every day that something had been done to it, that was in August. However, and I don't know if it's because of the onset of cooler weather, I am starting to notice it again. In summation, the most noticeable long-term effect has been mental in that I don't know if I want to take the GS off-road anymore. The whole thing was a very unpleasant experience that I do not want to repeat.
Another 4 weeks non load . Got a new super light cast very happy about that .bones seem to be healing well . They can't tell me anything more about ligerments just have to Waite and see .lots of work things to think about don't know if I can return to same job . Defiant a life changing injury
http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?p=19759352#post19759352 It's been 6 months since my shattered ankle/KLR trip. I am still doing PT 2 x week. I walk nearly every evening with my dog (thankfully), I have been swimming 2x week as well. Not a day goes by that I am not thinking or working on the ankle. It's considerably weaker than the R leg. But, I have been pretty proactive about my recovery. I've done massage, acupuncture, aqua aerobics, self stretching exercises, etc... When I wake up each morning I hobble like an old man for 5-10 minutes until the ankle is "ready" and the pain gradually subsides. I still take 2-4 Advil per day but this too is decreasing. I have ridden the KLR 4 times since my crash. It's okay. I still enjoy ownership of the bike but when I look at it now in the garage there is a whole new field of respect for that fat pig. Sure, I had laid it down numerous times. Every KLR owner puts their bike down for an occasional nap but, this one has really changed my life. Will I ever get "back to normal?" hmmm,... I am not sure but I am going to keep working at it, not be a victim or identify with my injury to make it " who I am" as I just want life to get back to normal as much as possible. I feel grateful by the grace of God it wasn't worse. Where I went down things could've ended up much much worse. Spot locator, friends, first aid training, heavy narcotics saved my bacon. For that I am eternally grateful. Ride safe & heal up gentlemen. Ps... Had I been weari g a full mx boot this would've just been a sore/strained knee issue. BUY A DECENT SET OF FULL MX BOOT! With lateral and full ankle support (gearne 12, AlpineStar 10 or Sidi Crossfire etc). It is soooooo worth it. Believe me.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=17840650&postcount=102 http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=17868835&postcount=106 My accident was 11 months ago (Jan 26, 2012 posted here) at age 52. Not as serious as most here - broke the fibula just below the knee and seriously sprained and tore the ligaments in the ankle. My takeaway: bones heal; Muscles and tendons not so quick and only with consistent work. Mental balance takes longest! I was walking with weight in 4 weeks (Mar 1), hiking in 6 (MAr 15). But, I had what the doctor called "instability" in the ankle that caused pain or weakness in many circumstances, especially walking downhill or down stairs. Swelling persisted every day well into the summer. In September I started at a sports club with spinning, light weight training and swimming. I can say the ankle has progressed nicely under this treatment (yes!). I still feel it the first 5 minutes out of bed, but normal afterward. I still get an occasional "looseness" that scares/pains me on a step, but it's rarer now. But, no swelling now in any conditions. I was on the motorcycle on my 10th week and did a lot of 2-up on-road riding this summer with some gravel off-road as well (in Greece, Albania and Montenegro!). And from that time I can say the real recovery is mental. I use heavier boots now (Sidi Adventure) for daily riding and that's helped confidence, though I know it's not "protection" in a serious fall under a heavy bike. More important has been the training in sports club - I'm stronger now overall and heartily recommend some physical training to help stay ahead of the bike, especially if over 50. My accident happened in a parking garage doing less than 5mph. A little dirt and oil on polished pavement. Honestly, I can say that for me the shortest measure of time in my life was the time from when my bike was happily turning into my parking spot - to - the time when the big bitch was laying on my ankle and leg! It happened so fast that my only reaction was "damn that was fast!" followed by "it doesn't feel good, either:eek1". So, now I live with the idea that it can happen anywhere. I don't think I'm a timid rider but I am not reckless and don't ride especially fast. But living in Europe, I do my share of lane splitting and filtering. I'm constantly alert to the unexpected lane change or stop. And I'm accepting of the fact that I could have another debilitating accident. I've weighed the risks and I'm happy to keep riding. But, every accident will affect that mental balance - and that's the hardest kind to keep. For everyone on the mend, I wish you courage to face your challenges and patience to see it through. You will get better! Happy holidays everyone!!
I'm actually "Mrs." dgilmore. My accident was 22 months ago. Both tibia and fibula broken with twisting fractures in multiple places. I was on my Street Triple which is really tall for me...I'm 5'3" and weigh in a little over a 100 lbs. I had on good gear - good, reinforced riding boots with leathers tucked in. Luckily they held my leg pretty much in place after my accident although I could feel the bones grating if I moved. I was just pulling away from a stop sign on a really windy Feb. day. As I lay in the hospital that night, they reported wind speeds of 30 mph with gust to 48 mph. The wind t-boned me; I hadn't picked up enough speed to stabilize and was too short and not strong enough to catch the bike as I went over. I've taken worse spills in Advanced Motorcycle Classes. I experienced the slow motion scenario one often has in an accident as I went down - mentally did the check list..helmet, shoulder and elbow and hip protection, gloves, boots. I was already making the phone call in my head to order a new clutch lever, turn signal and maybe mirror but not the least concerned that I would be hurt. Evidently as the bike came down, my leg just caught and twisted wrong. A truck driver found me a short time later still lying under the bike with it running in the intersection and lifted it off of me (I couldn't pull myself out from under it as I could feel the bones separate each time I tried). A second car stopped and since we were quite a ways from a hospital or ambulance service, the man volunteered to put me in the back seat of his car and have his wife drive me the 30 miles to the nearest hospital and he rode my bike (which was totally undamaged) to the hospital parking lot. It was a busy Sunday afternoon so I lay on a gurney in the hall for about three hours (no pain meds since I hadn't yet been seen by a doctor). When they finally were ready to x-ray they wanted to cut both my boot and leathers off. I voted no on both. I loved those boots and it had taken me a couple of years to get my leathers broken in and contoured to my curves - a few seconds of pain was worth it to not destroying them. I had multiple fractures just above the ankle in both bones. Had surgery the next day with a plate and nine screws on the tibia with bone grafts; the incision started under the inside of my right angle and angled up to just off center of the front of my leg and then about halfway up my leg between ankle and knee to place the plate and rods in my tibia. Then they drilled up under the outside of my right ankle and threaded the rod up through the fibula to connect the multiple loose pieces. Was very swollen and bruised for several weeks and went through the process of losing all the skin since it had been stretched so far. It was six months of progressing through cast, non-walking boot, walking boot, walker and then cane. I wasn't able to ride my two wheeled cycles but could put the walker on the back of my Spyder and use my cast or boot to brake so I did still get to ride by the end of the summer. Almost two years later, I swim three days a week and still do some stretching exercises to keep my ankle as limber as possible. I still have some swelling and different degrees of pain. Both the plate and the rod "sting" me when I move the wrong way or wear shoes or boots that constrict against them. I've been back to riding all my two wheelers (BMW, Ducati and Triumphs) for over a year but on my Diavel have to use my heel to brake as I never recovered full flexibility downward in my ankle (which stays swollen) so my toe can't reach the brake lever. My riding boots are tight..but they have an adjustable back flap that compensates. It's not comfortable to wear them but it's worth it to ride. Walking in motorcycle boots is a bit painful still. My surgeon told me going in it was a bad break and considering my petite size and small bones, he's quite pleased that I walk as well as I do. I still have a bit of a limp and my legs no longer match as my injured one has a bit of a bow in it that is more visible when I'm in a dress and high heels - which are no longer comfortable and not so much a part of my life anymore. I still can't balance on that leg despite practice and therapy. I can't run as I don't have full range of motion to allow me to push off the ball of my foot properly and I can't walk down steps without a little hop since my ankle doesn't bend quite enough for a full flex. The important part is that it's strong enough to support me when I put my leg down when riding. I mostly forget the bit of pain I have - feel it at night when the lights are out and hobble for a bit in the morning. All in all, I'm quite happy to be walking and riding. I'll leave the hardware in even though it sort of pokes out on both sides now that the major swelling is gone. The surgeon's concern is wound care if we go back in to remove anything. He'd basically be opening the same incisions again and since I'm thin and don't have a lot of excess flesh on the front of my leg, he's concerned the second incision might not heal well. It's okay - the bit of pain and sting remind me I'm lucky at 60 years old to be able to get a leg over my bikes, lucky to be walking as well as I do and lucky to be retired so that I can ride most every day I want! Hope that everyone else who has written continues to heal and will be as fortunate as I've been.
12 Month Anniversary for me, in the last couple of weeks. I just had the plate removed from my ankle, which was holding my fibula together. I broke the fib about an inch above the ankle and dislocated it. The plate was quite low - so whilst everything had healed up quite well, I had issues with shoes rubbing on the plate and screws on my ankle, plus there was some residual swelling and stiffness which I hope, with the plate removed will settle down. Doc left me with a 7-8" incision down the outside of my ankle - looks pretty messed up, and is much longer than the scar that they went through to put the metal in - but for now - thats just how it is. I've been cycling heaps, which has been good - I hope to do a bit of running once this wound has healed - as I haven't been able to wear running shoes comfortably. No more motorbikes for me - 2 busted arms, 3 ribs, dislocated shoulder, broken leg, dislocated ankle was too much for my wife to cope with in 4 years, despite many years riding with nothing more than a bruise...c'est la vie....I miss it sometimes, other times I don't.
LOcky I have several questions regarding your fibular plate removal. 1. How many screws were in the plate? 2. Did you have to wear a boot after the plate's removal, and if so for how long a period? 3. Did your foot feel any different when walking after the plate was removed? 4. How long were you told to wait before cycling again? I'm a year and 6 months out from my bimalleolar ankle fracture. I'm back to doing some great cycling (40 mile rides), but for various reasons the motorcycle has been sitting idle. Three a half months after fracturing my ankle I had a really bad cycling accident (cmpd., comminuted clavicular fx. and 5 broken ribs), which has complicated things. I'm hoping the old adage about things happening in three's is not true! I was advised I could have the fibular (6 screws) and clavicular (9 screws) plates removed any time. I've elected to wait until it gets really hot and humid so I can enjoy the current good cycling weather. From what I've read the risk of refracture is 2% within the first 90 days of plate removal. My plan is to stop riding my bicycle for 2 months after the plates are gone. The present status of my fractured ankle is pretty much back to 100% regarding function; however, it is still slightly larger than the other ankle, a little stiff in the morning, and, if I think about it, always feels different. Shortly after fracturing it I began taking a chondrotin/glucosamine supplement but recently stopped. I noticed after discontinuing the supplement my ankle was sore every day and I was taking aspirin regularly. After about a month off the supplement I went back on to see if the pain goes away.
Hey PETDOC Mine fracture was classified as a Trimaelleor(spelling) Fracture. 1) 6 in the plate, one in the fib on its lonesome 2) I had the operation on Monday..4 days ago...I was on crutches for a day, but no boot.. Pretty sore the first 24 hrs...now (Thurs night here) - I have no dressings on, it looks hideous, but isn't too bad - a bit of bruising, and the joint is very stiff and I have a kankle again. 3) Too early to say.....I don't think so though 4) Doc hasn't advised yet. I have the stitches out next Wed (29th) - I reckon I'll jump on the wind trainer from then, see how it goes...I'm guessing my biggest problem will be twisting out of the cleats..so until I can do that (2-3 weeks perhaps), I'll stay on the indoor trainer - plus its nearly winter downunder - its below freezing outside. I haven't taken any supplements...but the healthy lifestyle that the cycling encouraged, meant I stopped drinking so many alcoholic beverages (beer....I'm looking at you..) and ate more fruit and veg...My ankle was perhaps 15% bigger after 12 months, but had 98% of movement back. I had residual pain in a few spots, and have resigned myself that I'll always have those. Walking and garden work, no problems....and kind of running, I think it will be problematic - but it remains to be seen. The surgery to remove the plate was done by a different surgeon, he found a couple of things in the initial xrays that the last ones didn't spot (tendon off the bone on the inside) which has now calcified and will cause some discomfort for ever probably. I'm only 33, so its mildly disappointing, but at the same time, i sold the motorbike, bought a carbon fibre bicycle and I have never been fitter & healthier since my teens (not that I had let myself go - just acquired to bad habits...beer, I'm looking at you again....) - and the best part is, I'm having fun doing it, plus my wife actually likes the lycra - now I'm skinny with muscle tone and a six pack.... Fate is a strange beast my friend. I'm not a religious man (well a devout atheist, truth be told), but I can't help thinking, everything happens for a reason, and you make your own luck...go figure..
LOcky, Thanks for the information. I share some of your views and your fondness of really good beer? Carl Sagan's comment 'we're all star stuff; came from stars and will return to stars' captures my view of this life. Not so sure I share your faith in destiny. I think being in the right or wrong place at the right or wrong time explains a lot. Regardless please post your experiences getting back to cycling following plate removal as I'll be a couple of months behind you. One of your comments makes me question the wisdom of my decision to have both plates removed during the same surgery. I'm grateful my ankle fracture didn't occur until my 6 th decade and 40 plus years of fantastic motorcycling as I may have quite when younger. I believe my accident occurred because I was doing something I probably should not have been doing. Presently my intention is to return to cross country motorcycle trips. I, however, suspect my aggressive riding of the twisties will be toned down as I realize I've lived a charmed life on a motorcycle, especially when younger.