Disaster - broken leg!

**mattcbf600** · #1 5th May 2007

One of us has gone down with a broken leg! - http://www.journeytorussia.co.uk/ - he's broken his right fibula and it looks like they're going to have to pin and plate it - does anyone have any experience of how long these things take to heal?

They say he'll be in plaster for at least 8 weeks - that takes us to the middle of July time - we're due to leave September 5th... what do you think?

m

**Redboots** · #2 5th May 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattcbf600

One of us has gone down with a broken leg! -

I just broke my right foot! 2 weeks to the off!!
Had it put in a lightweight ankle brace so I can modify one of my old and worn out boots to accommodate it. I knew there was a reason for keeping them

I guess it will mend on the way:-))))

John

**mattcbf600** · #3 5th May 2007

Yes I think that's what he's hoping too!

**mattcbf600** · #4 5th May 2007

He should be out of theatre now so we'll know soon how much work they've had to do.

Anything anyone knows would help... keep his spirits up.

m

**Redboots** · #5 5th May 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattcbf600

Anything anyone knows would help... keep his spirits up.

Beer, of course...

J

**mattcbf600** · #6 6th May 2007

ahhh yes of course! Why didn't I think of that ;-)

**a1arn** · #7 6th May 2007

The bones will heal without a hassle. But the ligaments always take more time. All the same he should be fit to ride in as little as 6 weeks (Did that after breaking a collarbone and putting a pin in), but damaged ligaments NEED a LOT of rest. However if the ligament damage is not severe, there should be no problems.

Easy to check - once he resumes normal activity he should not do any anything that causes anything more than MILD discomfort. The bones will not hurt, esp as they have been stabilized.

PS: Had a look at the bike on your site. Seemed to me a lot of stuff too high and too far back - does not help handling

**hook** · #8 6th May 2007

Hi Matt. I broke my right fibula 4 years ago. My doctor was the knee and ankle ortho surgeon for the US womens ski team. Anyway, I received a plate and 6 pins. I wasn't put in plaster but a soft cast instead. After a week or so I was able to carefully remove the cast to let by leg breathe to help alleviate the itching. I was cleared to return to "duty" less than 8 weeks after the break. It would have been sooner, but as an airline pilot I had to be cleared to jump 6 feet onto concrete (the height of the emergency exit on my aircraft). I was able to put full weight on the leg after some 2 or 3 weeks (as per my Dr's advice). I'd be surprised if your friend takes more than 6 weeks to recover. I was told to do physical therapy for 6 or 10 weeks, I forget now. The problem after the surgery is the swelling and ankle stiffness. I quit therapy after a couple weeks and did the exercises at home and did plenty of swimming and cycling to increase circulation and flexibility. Speedy recovery and good luck to you guys.

Guest2 · #9 6th May 2007

I broke both my fibula and tibia a few years ago, I was in Greece at the time and the surgeon gave ME the option between pins or external frame. I went for external frame as is sounded less painful. I think pins will get you up and moving faster. I had a spiral fracture and when I got back to the UK it soon became apparent there weren’t any guarantees about the fibula healing, up to that point I really did not put any seriousness to a broken leg. I would advise Patrick to follow the doctor’s advice, try not to rush it; also I would also encourage him to review his diet and eat plenty of the foods which help and aid bone growth, there is loads of diet information on the internet.
I hope he recovers fast and fully.

Steve

**mattcbf600** · #10 6th May 2007

That's going to be music to Patrick's ears - he's still stuck in the hospital bed at the mo

He's feeling a little down and no doubt the stories here will really help him feel better - in fact I'm a little taken back about how quickly you can get back on the bike after a tumble like this - we were gutted when he came off - the last thing we wanted to hear was that he'd be unable to come with us. But he's fit as a fiddle and by the sounds of it most people get back up and about within 8 weeks - we've got until September so that should be fine!

Thanks for the advice guys :-)

My bike - a1arn - yes you're quite right about how it's loaded up - I'm going to try to bring the chair and tent (that's what's up there on the back box) down onto the back seat next run (end of this month) - plus of course dial the suspension up. Handling was okay once I got used to it... stunning bike the CBF and takes all manner of messing around with - a real work horse.

**a1arn** · #11 7th May 2007

Actually, I was riding the bike at 4 weeks as I was comfortable enough, and felt I could handle emergency situations again

. This, with a couple of partially healed fractured ribs (which could not be stabilized - 1st and 2nd). 6 weeks was when I rode back to the accident site, 200 km out of town, over broken roads part of the way.

As the fracture is pin stabilized, there will be very little pain once the swelling subsides, and the rigid fixation will speed up healing, too. You've just got to cross your fingers, toes, and whatever else and hope that there are no serious ligament injuries.

Your friend should be on the saddle sooner than he thinks.

**mattcbf600** · #12 7th May 2007

Thanks for that - he'll be really pleased to hear that - thanks guys - it all seems more 'real' when you hear it from people who have done it rather than a doctor saying... well it could be months etc.

m