riding after injury

[mrpetebojangles]

It's been nearly 2 months since my accident in which I broke my left leg (tib/fib) and broke my ankle. After a surgery that has magnets sticking to my leg haha, I'll hopefully be back in the saddle after some physical therapy for walking again and then riding. What are some things to think about when I start riding again? I hope that fear of hurting myself doesn't hinder my riding. I plan on doing just some short trips around the neighborhood until I start feeling somewhat comfortable again.

[stopintime]

These things tend to take longer than you hope

It's good that you're optimistic, but accept that it is a process.

Gradually, gradually, gradually 

[swampduc]

These things tend to take longer than you hope

It's good that you're optimistic, but accept that it is a process.

Gradually, gradually, gradually 

Definitely takes time. It's been over 9 months since I had a wreck where I broke a rib and separated my shoulder, and I'm still significantly slower than I was. Getting better though 

[Triple J]

I crashed last Fall during a trackday and broke my ankle (actually, the lower end of the fibula at the ankle joint). I wondered if I'd be nervous my 1st time back on the track, but it wasn't a big deal. I went out and immediately broke my personal best lap time.

Returning to street riding was never a concern because I didn't crash on the street. I can see how it would be tough if I was in a street accident though.

Anyway, I'd say just go out and see how you are. If you find yourself getting nervous, just take it slow and focus on the basics of riding to get the comfort level to return. You may not have an issue though.

[mrpetebojangles]

TripleJ how long were you out for? I have a very similar injury and have been in a walking cast that I can't put any pressure on for almost 2 months. I have my next apt on Dec. 1st and I'll know how things are healing. My leg looks useless, no muscle definition etc but it feels A LOT better. I'm 22 and my OS thinks it will be just a bit of PT on a bike for me and normal functionality will return. Unfortunately by the time my leg heals it will probably be very snowy/icy here in Reno and I won't be able to ride till Spring probably :/

[reebok]

Still riding after smashing both legs, knees, ankles and arms plus other injury.

Of course, it was 4 yrs before I got on a bike and played serious.
But I had to wait until those surgeries were over in case I did more harm.

Since then, have had 4 strokes, 2 heart attacks, and my legs have surgery every 2-3 yrs, currently awaiting a knee replacement.

If you want to ride you will. If you are half hearted, wait it out. I can ride better than I walk, that's my excuse.
You and only you are the judge of whether you still get joy from riding.

[Sanjuro]

I shattered the navicular bone in my right foot (non motorcycle related) back on July 3rd.  I was non weight bearing for over two months and just finished my intensive physical therapy.  I know about losing muscle and definition on the injured leg.  I'm just starting to get that back, but it will be many more months. I got back on the duc last weekend, first for a short jaunt and then a longer one the next day.  I thought I would be more nervous than I was, but it was ok.  I so missed the relaxing/recharging that I get when riding.  My advise is to take your time, don't push yourself (too hard) and know that it will eventually get better.

[Triple J]

TripleJ how long were you out for? I have a very similar injury and have been in a walking cast that I can't put any pressure on for almost 2 months. I have my next apt on Dec. 1st and I'll know how things are healing. My leg looks useless, no muscle definition etc but it feels A LOT better. I'm 22 and my OS thinks it will be just a bit of PT on a bike for me and normal functionality will return. Unfortunately by the time my leg heals it will probably be very snowy/icy here in Reno and I won't be able to ride till Spring probably :/

I was in a walking boot for about 6 weeks (4 weeks on crutches), followed by 2 months wearing a lace up brace under my shoe. I couldn't ride for most of it because the lace up brace wouldn't fit in my boot...but it also hurt to shift (left ankle) except for maybe the last month. I did get lucky though and there wasn't any ligament/tendon damage which made my healing a lot simpler. Yours sounds quite a bit worse than mine was.

Good luck.  ...and Reno...I went to UNR and lived there from 1992-2000. 

[Slide Panda]

It's good that you're optimistic, but accept that it is a process.

Gradually, gradually, gradually 

That's probably the best advice.

I can't really speak to the psychology after a crash, but I can talk injury. I did my ACL which required replacement. Predictably that had me off the bike for a while. There was the range (or lack) of motion for a time, then being able to sustain the needed bend for riding. Then there's strength - that's the catch.. or it was for me.

I was able to get my leg to a state where I could bend the leg sufficiently but it would fatigue fast and was weaker all around than it's buddy. That made it tough to do some things on/with the bike, and made me nervous. It was also tender and that added to the nerves - wanting to protect it and all.

Now, back to just about even and felling sold, but it was a gradual process. So do your PT - see if you can get a list of things to do from the PT for after you're no longer able to see them and be diligent about it. It'll take work, but you'll get there.

[bikepilot]

Also realize that after some time off your skills won't be quite as sharp as they once were.  Take it easy and maybe a track day or school to get back into the swing of things wouldn't be a bad idea.  I've never broken anything badly enough or knocked myself out long enough that I wasn't riding again within ~20 minutes.

[Goat_Herder]

I got hit from the left side last fall and torn some tendons in my left ankle.  I was in a boot for 3 months and in PT for the next 6.  What I found difficult to get back, other than getting the tendons to heal, was losing muscel mass in my left foot and ankle and having to build it back up.  I hope back on a bike 4 months after the accident (probably rushing a little bit) and found that I was out of riding shape.  My left ankle would get really sore during the ride from shifting.  Upshifting would require the muscle that I had not use for awhile.  Putting my foot down added stress.

What I would recommend is to take your time and really focus on PT right now.  Gaining the strengh back before you start easing into riding again.  I totally agree with Stopintime.  Think of it as a process and continuous improvement. 

[mrpetebojangles]

Thanks for all the responses. I just had an appointment yesterday, and the bone is starting to fill in but the breaks, which there are many, are still very visible. I can finally start putting weight on my leg which has made things like getting into and out of the shower a lot easier. Just to clarify, the thought of quiting riding never crossed my mind. Even while I was in the ER, my first thoughts were how soon I could get back in the saddle. Riding has opened my eyes to a much more enjoyable lifestyle and is immensely more satisfying than even driving my sporty car. Nothing else is like it. Unfortunately, there must be a balance haha. All of the money I'm losing on disability will make my future monster mods be a bit later than I wanted. I plan on getting a taller sergeant seat which should hopefully fit my 6'7'' frame a bit better and some arrow or termi pipes. Love the way they sound.

[mrpetebojangles]

My accident occurred during a tight u-turn leaving my gf's house. What really bothers me is that I still don't really know what caused the accident. I remember looking down the street at her, (looking where I want to go) maintaining a steady throttle and using the clutch to adjust speed. I did not use my rear brake at all as has been recommended, but I'll try that when I get back. The u-turn happened about ~7 min or so after starting the bike, and I had had problems with the bike stalling at the first stop sign or so after riding it. It seemed to chug a lot during the first few minutes of riding and I'm wondering if that could of contributed to the crash? All of a sudden I was on the ground and in immense pain, I didn't realize it was broken at first. No one to blame but myself, but I wonder if doing a u-turn right after starting the bike, if that's a bad idea? Also, I wonder if getting slider bars for the bike would maybe be a good idea if a similar accident ever occurred? It was the area above the left foot gear shifter that crushed my ankle/lower left leg (the bike suffered virtually 0 damage other than scratched mirrors/bar ends). Would slider bars give that area a bit more room if the same accident happened? I'm pretty scared of having the same accident as I now have ~15 screws in my leg and God knows what would happen if that got messed up. I've read on the forum that monster's tend to be a bit more difficult in U-turns due to a large turning radius. Since the accident I've had the 14T sprocket installed which I hope will make the bike a bit easier to control in super low speeds. Cannot wait to get back on my leg again and return to work as I'm pooooor!

[reebok]

Had carpel tunnel surgery last week.
Went for a ride past three days as part of my recovery.
Not there yet in terms of recovery, but will get there.
I subscribe to the 'use it or lose it' theory.
See how I go when I have my knees replaced.
In the meantime, it is nice to have use go both hands again