Ducati Monster Forum

I absolutely love my Monster, it's my single favorite worldly good I have ever owned, and perhaps will ever own. My current situation is that I shattered my tib/fib at the knee doing about 7mph in a "freak" minibike accident last weekend. It's pretty bad and requires 8 months to a year before I begin walking (normally, if ever)  again. Also, I need a specialty "trauma" orthopedic surgeon for the surgery in a couple weeks after the dust settles and my external fixator has done it's job. Basically, I asked the question right away of, once this is healed, is it game over with a re-injury? The answer I'm getting from all the medical people I've spoken to is that with an injury so severe, you're lucky if you come back above 75% or so from pre-injury form. A re-injury of the leg and you're screwed. The risk assessment no longer comes out favoring the Duc and damn do I hate that. I'm also an avid skiier and don't want to give that up either, but between the Duc and Skiing, I think skiing is still the safer option.   Anyone else in or been in a similar situation?

Maybe you're right, but I think there's more to it long term....

Our bone cells are completely replaced in a seven year cycle.
That means that this will get better as time goes - if the bones get the right amount of stress/weight.
Normal to heavy use is what re-news bone cells, through a pumping action.
This pumping action will be critical in the long term healing and bone strengthening.
(I'm not a professional, but this is worth discussing with a specialist)

However, for the first couple of years I think you're better off playing it safe.

Good luck [thumbsup]

+1, and best of luck on the recovery  [beer]

I haven't been through anything so severe, but did spend 22 months off-bike due to a hockey injury. didn't think I'd ride anymore, and I sold the monster a year ago.

and dammit, did I start missing it.  ultimately the choice is up to you (risk management), but if you really miss riding, you'll find a way to get back on

if crowbar can bounce back, I believe damn near anyone can  [thumbsup]

:edit: I can't count months lol

I've decided to drop riding on the street for the forseeable future... but I've kept my Monster.  I figure in 20 years when I'm ready to get back on the road, I'll have a classic.

Plus I have a 20 year project to work on  [thumbsup].  So that's a thought to consider.

As for skiing... I destroyed my ACL years ago skiing, and I would consider riding a motorcycle to be MUCH easier on the legs than skiing.  I still won't ski, and that was 8 years ago at least.

I'm no expert either but if by skiing you mean alpine I'd say that is a much greater risk than riding.  You could switch to X-C.  It is easy on the joints and skate skiing is great fun.  Looks like you will have a lot of time to consider your options.  But damn, what a bad break.  Sounds like a fluke accident.  

Don't give up on it yet.
I broke my tib/fib surfing in Indonesia in 2004 heli medivac out of the jungle three days later surgery
three and a half months later started to learn how to surf again.
It was a good six to twelve months before I was feeling somewhat normal , still have all the metal
inside never bothered removing it.
Now I am skiing , surfing , downhill mountainbike riding and have two monsters.
In my experience with doctors they always tend to give you the worst case scenario , believe in yourself
heal the bones and live your life , you only get one go at it.
My recipe for bone healing: no alcohol ,high calcium diet plus iron and vitamin C to help with calcium absorption.
After eight weeks get an X -ray to see if the bones are knitting then light exercise and re build.
If you can avoid it do not get internal rods in the bone they take ages to heal , external plates and or casts like the Moto-X
pros  when they break ,if you have internals get them checked regularly as they can impede the blood flow and slow the laying down of calcium.
Good luck
and enjoy your journey.
my 2 cents worth

After I crushed four neck vertebrae in 2007 and months before I was supposed to be released to drive a car by my neurosurgeon I was already sneaking out to my rented storage unit and riding my scooters. ;D My wife had given up on stopping me from driving a car and I had secretly stashed helmet and riding gear at the storage unit. While she thought I was at Home Depot or running errands I was gearing up and taking the Monster around the neighborhood. [thumbsup] I'd put my neck brace on as I drove away in the car to make her happy but down the street, out of sight I'd take it off. I know. I'm a bad boy and will burn in hell. [evil] Hey, sometimes ya' gotta do what ya' gotta do. [Dolph]

Find an ortho who specializes in athletic injuries.  I think most docs base the long term recovery on typical/average.  You may find that you can do way better than what your guy is predicting.

Bad news for sure, but like it was mentioned... skiing will be FAR more hazardous to your knee/leg than riding. If we're talking DEATH, then yeah I would agree riding a bike is a higher risk, but not on the knees. Skiing is probably one of the worst things for knee/ankle/hip joints.

is the external fixator is that torture looking device they use to grow the bone and make it heal correctly... right?


i had a simple break on my femur right before Xmas 2010 and i am already begging to get back on a bike.  Trying to wait until i get the interfemoral rod removed sometime this winter.  Not that my injury is to the extent of yours, but I'm doing really well and did zero formal physical therapy. Still can't really run yet, but i can do a half assed jog if necessary.   [laugh]

i wish you a speedy recovery  [beer]

This is the CD rack I had installed into my leg.....

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JIbdgyRIpRE/Tm7C3NXdYTI/AAAAAAAAAIE/DFytxlqoa_k/s640/IMG028.jpg)

Dang that sux. As an avid boarder I understand the passion to ride. However, I skied for years when I was young and can assure you that you are MUCH more likely to re-injure your knee/leg during that activity.

Just chill through the winter and I promise that your picture will change with time [thumbsup] Happy healing