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Broken Femur advice re how soon you can ride ? Broken Femur advice re how soon you can ride ?
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  #1  
Old 3 Jul 2015
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Broken Femur advice re how soon you can ride ?
I was planing to leave the UK on the 3rd August to ride to China, 3 weeks ago I was delivering blood on blood bike to a hospital when I tripped and broke neck of femur in two places I have had a plate and screw in and I am 6 weeks non weight bearing from date of accident.
My trip cancelled but has anyone had any experience of how soon after you can weight bear they rode a motorbike and any problems or advice please ? I will obviously listen to medical advice but 1 St hand experience allways interesting.
Thanks and safe riding
Paul
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Old 3 Jul 2015
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I certainly would not ride during your "Non weight bearing" healing time. After that? Up to you and your Doc. It's not the riding that's going to hurt anything or slow down healing ... it's the crashing part that could ruin your recovery. So if you ride ... take it easy, don't fall off!

I did a 5,500 mi. serious ADV Ride on an unhealed Tibia/Fibula. I never fell off (mostly!) Turns out the surgeon who'd done the job screwed up and when I got home ... it was back to square one and another major operation to "fix" what the first clown had messed up. 4 months non weight bearing, another 4 months to totally heal. (complicated compound fracture)

Depending on your age, bones can heal either FAST of SLOW. Once over 40 things slow down (very generally). Over 50, slower still.

In my six operations and re-do's the most helpful and important thing I found was getting really good PT (physical Therapy) Part of the success depends how hard you work on your own to break down scar tissue, get more flexible and re-gain full range of motion.

Good luck!
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Old 4 Jul 2015
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Thanks for that advice will do my best re physical therapy .I'm just hoping to rescue some think of this year motorbike wise.im taking it really easy during non weight bearing phase to give it best chance to settle
Cheers and safe riding
Paul
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Old 4 Jul 2015
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Hi
I Bust my Femur back in the 80,s in traction for 7 weeks , didn't heal properly something to do muscle trapped in the joint .. pinned plated a week later after that cast/Caliper for 4 weeks ..as soon as I was weight bearing I was riding leg felt ok ...I always think that the body is very good at telling you when your pushing to hard ... even managed to fall off and break me knee cap but femur was ok ..worst thing was muscle wastage from doing nothing on that leg .
So I would say steady away no daft stuff ..
Hope this helps
Wayne
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Old 4 Jul 2015
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Wayne
It does and a good point e your body telling you
Thanks and safe riding
Paul
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Old 14 Jul 2015
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it varies enormously from person to person, I've seen guys in their 40s really struggling after weeks and 80 year old biddies up after a few days.

As above, listen to your body, and your surgeon, he will have done a few of these before!

The big deal is as someone said above, not being physically able, but being able to withstand a crash. If you bust it again your in trouble as each one only lasts a limited period of time, and you can only have around three in a lifetime.

Also, be careful swinging your leg over your bike, it's easy to dislocate.
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Old 15 Jul 2015
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Not exactly the same, but 43 years ago I broke my tibia in a bike accident. Even in plaster, I still rode with my leg sticking out straight and propped up on the engine crankcase.

However, as others have pointed out, the biggest problem was muscle atrophy and stiffness in the knee joint. It was over 6 months after having the cast removed before I could bend my knee sufficient to allow me to put my foot properly on the foot peg. I was also a teenager at the time, healing a lot quicker than I do nowadays.
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Old 15 Jul 2015
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Exercise bike .. set to easy to start out, then gradually increase hardness.
The cycling does not put impact loading through the bone - much easier that way than walking.. but you get the mussels back.

One person I know of - keen cyclist .. broken hip, was on the exercise bike 1 week after the plaster was on... exercised one leg only untill the plaster came off.

Good luck. We are all different .. so the Docs take a conservative view .. you could be more rapid than they think. Or slower, but probably quicker.
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Old 15 Jul 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sloth505 View Post
..worst thing was muscle wastage from doing nothing on that leg .
So I would say steady away no daft stuff ..
Hope this helps
Wayne
IMO, this is key! Atrophy is not good, can come on quick ... let it go too long and you'll never be able to break down scar tissue caused by surgery, never get back full range of motion and may end up with numb areas or nerve pain and a weak leg or a limp.

As SOON AS YOU CAN ... work it hard under supervision of a really expert PT person. Not all PT workers are created equal. A good PT will know how hard to work you, and when to push or not ... and why. But in general, take care the rest of your body during your non weight bearing period.

Much you can do while you wait: exercises, stretching, electro-stim, Acupuncture, massage, diet, medicine ball, stationary bike and more.

Good luck, work hard on the PT ... some Doc's may poo poo it ... but I know for a fact it can make a huge difference in outcome and fix what their bungling surgery may have messed up. (so so many mistakes or half assed jobs done)
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Old 15 Jul 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Warin View Post
Exercise bike .. set to easy to start out, then gradually increase hardness.

One person I know of - keen cyclist .. broken hip, was on the exercise bike 1 week after the plaster was on... exercised one leg only untill the plaster came off.
Not really necessary to do that, the muscle wastage is only on the leg that is immobilised. I broke my ankle (again) 6 months back, and found trying to pedal with one foot very difficult, even with a stirrup, so I gave it up until I could use both.

The idea of rehabilitation by exercise bike is a good idea though, just leave it until you can use both legs - unless you're an absolute fitness freak.
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Old 19 Jul 2015
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Thanks very much for all the advice I go back to hospital on Thursday(6 weeks since I broke it ) so will no more then ,after 3 weeks much less pain I will update then. Hoping I will be able to swim then as good for my general fitness
Safe riding
Paul
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Old 19 Jul 2015
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6 weeks is the standard time.

One week after the plaster came off my broken ankle I had a bushfire come past my house. Physio was very surprised at how much fitness I had the next week. Amazing what a bit of adrenalin and fear will do. Ask your physio how much 'extra' exercise you can do between their sessions. I'm certain I did more than they would have advised .. but I had other concerns at the time.

Good luck. I don't think the swimming will aid bone growth/strength too much, good for the mussels though. Bicycling will put stress on the bones - stress makes the bones strengthen themselves .. just don't put too much on!
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Old 13 Aug 2015
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Just a update some weight on leg now physo going well hope to drive tomorrow and maybe ride on the 24 the August after I see consultant going to be a step as a time very frustrating thanks for advice
Safe riding
Paul
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Old 13 Aug 2015
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Excellent Paul

Remember to take it easy on the first ride - you need to remember the things you had automatic in your head have to be dug out and refreshed.
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