Cycling UK Forum

In early December, I sustained three closed fractures, two pelvic and one to my right femur, when I came off on black ice. Mercifully, no surgery has been necessary, but I have to use crutches for eight weeks, and wait another two weeks before I can resume riding.
My treatment has been good, but none of the medics I've seen has told me much about the effects my injuries might have on future cycling.
So, is there anyone on this forum, fellow sufferer or knowledgeable medically, who might be able to add anything to the little I've been told. Mostly, I've been used to doing Simon Warren inspired hill climbs and short, so lighter, cycle camping trips. And I'm not young.
Thank you for any advice/tips to help me back to where I was before my "off".
David F

I'd start by contacting the trauma team again: are you already in contact with a physiotherapist and will they answer questions remotely without organising a consultation?

Without knowing more about your injuries and about the treatment the general advice is always going to be something like:
• Mobilise, mobilise, mobilise, but don't do anything that causes pain without professional advice.
• Find some form of exercise that you can do before it's recommended that you start riding.
• As you start riding think about the bike fit and about how you're going to get on. It's quite common for that to be harder than riding when you are on. Then take it gently: you won't be able to do what you could before for some time, and it's important not to be disappointed. Little and often until you get stronger.

Jonathan

I suffered a double fracture of my Pelvis during a slow speed off on a slippery road 10 year ago when I was 62. I snapped the lower ring where the ligaments thread through. I'm no medic as you can probably tell. There was no surgery involved and I was sent home from A&E with an appointment to the Physio dept the next day. It was only on my second Physio appointment 4 weeks later that I was told I should have rested. Bed rest for a couple of weeks. But the advice from A&E was to take it easy and do as much as i could manage. I was desperate to get back on the bike like Geraint Thomas. Hobbling around on crutches inflamed my knee. I managed to start riding again after 6 weeks when my knee also recovered. I struggled for a few weeks swinging my leg over the bars trying to mount the Tandem. No sniggering at the back.

Hope this helps but you need some advice from the Physio. Good luck.

In my experience ( never had a broken pelvis ) of broken bones you need to allow them to heal for at least 6 weeks. Continual movement can break the bonds over and over as I found out with my broken collarbone 6 or 7 weeks in the xrays showed it to be still broken -- it took another 6 weeks keeping it immobilized to get it to start healing then another 6 before putting too much pressure on it like the pressups etc ... otherwise I was told it could end up being a non union break and it would come down to a choice of surgery or removing the distal end altogether. I didn't want that to happen cos that would mean no ac joint.

As the OP, I'd like to thank those who have already responded to my initial post; it's really useful to have the benefit of others' experience and knowledge.
For anyone with a medical background who might post subsequently, the exact injuries were: a right acetabular fracture extending into the right superior pubic ramus, a fracture of the right inferior pubic ramus and a fracture through the right sacrum.
My first steps back will involve using a static bike under the supervision of a physio in a local hospital.
It's going to be a long road back but, at least, I should be ready for summer.
David

Thanks for the details.

It's good to know that the physiotherapy is planned. I'd now try and make contact with that team: it's pretty common nowadays for them to be happy with email or video conversations and there'll probably be a lot of questions that occur to you during your recovery and when you start cycling again. And tell them about your cycling and how important it is.

And for each session I'd recommend writing down the questions in advance so that you don't forget any.

Jonathan

David F wrote: ↑2 Jan 2024, 2:28pm As the OP, I'd like to thank those who have already responded to my initial post; it's really useful to have the benefit of others' experience and knowledge.
For anyone with a medical background who might post subsequently, the exact injuries were: a right acetabular fracture extending into the right superior pubic ramus, a fracture of the right inferior pubic ramus and a fracture through the right sacrum.
My first steps back will involve using a static bike under the supervision of a physio in a local hospital.
It's going to be a long road back but, at least, I should be ready for summer.
David

Are you in a cast or some kind of bracing to keep the broken bones from moving around?

Looking forward to a summer event or planned tour etc will give you a goal to focus on so don't rush into doing too much -- I did that and it set me back a further 6 to 8 weeks. Just take it easy, stay still and look forward to the summer.

Afternoon Cowsham,
Thank you for your interest. I haven't any broken bones, only closed fractures. Consequently, I am not in plaster, I just have to minimise the load on the affected, right, leg. For this reason, I am asked not to walk independently but to use a zimmer frame or crutches. I'm using both at different times according to the setting; I prefer the crutches, but sometimes the walking frame feels more secure. Giving up the support will be a difficult call because I don't want to do it prematurely and thereby compromise the healing process but, on the other hand, I'd like to be back on my bike as soon as I can. I guess it's a decision I'll have to leave to my medical advisers.
David

One bit of good news is once the fracture heals the bone might be stronger than before.

The fracture through the acetabulum is the worry as it is affecting the actual hip joint which is a ball and socket joint. It is vital to try to let this heal as well as it can to minimise possible future osteoarthritic changes. The other fractures are painful but should heal with time, avoiding movements causing pain but otherwise moving and painkillers. Get advice about the acetabular fracture from physio and orthopaedic people - avoiding early weight bearing through the joint can be important. I came off on Nov 25th and did my right superior pubic ramus. Painful but should heal well, whatever I do! Intermittently using 1 crutch now.

I sustained three closed fractures, two pelvic and one to my right femur,

On the radio this morning it advised supplements were not a good idea .Diet should incorporate all.However it did say an exception.Vitamin D tablets.Especially in winter when we do not get sunshine to make Vitamin D and help bones.
PS it may help stave of Dementia later
*********************************************
I ride Brompton and Hetchins 531.

briansnail wrote: ↑17 Jan 2024, 11:42am ...
On the radio this morning it advised supplements were not a good idea .Diet should incorporate all.However it did say an exception.Vitamin D tablets.Especially in winter when we do not get sunshine to make Vitamin D and help bones.
PS it may help stave of Dementia later
...

Yes, it's a good idea for adults in the UK to supplement vitamin D intake. *Current advice is for the winter months.:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins- ... vitamin-d/

Recent discussion:
viewtopic.php?t=156442

Specific supplements are also a good idea before conception and in early pregnancy.

And there is a nasty market in other supplements promoted by weasel-worded advertising.

Jonathan

* I suspect that this will be extended to all year round in the not too distant future as the evidence accumulates.

David F wrote: ↑2 Jan 2024, 11:14am In early December, I sustained three closed fractures, two pelvic and one to my right femur, when I came off on black ice. Mercifully, no surgery has been necessary, but I have to use crutches for eight weeks, and wait another two weeks before I can resume riding.
My treatment has been good, but none of the medics I've seen has told me much about the effects my injuries might have on future cycling.
So, is there anyone on this forum, fellow sufferer or knowledgeable medically, who might be able to add anything to the little I've been told. Mostly, I've been used to doing Simon Warren inspired hill climbs and short, so lighter, cycle camping trips. And I'm not young.
Thank you for any advice/tips to help me back to where I was before my "off".
David F

Sorry, didn't see your post, was locked up in hospital for a few days in the 1st week of January. Cycling should still be possible, broke the left leg in 5 & pelvis 14.5 months back, it needing "nailed" and a 12" metal rod knocked in somewhere (Nb. And a few other bones). Could only move the left leg approx. 5mm for the initial several weeks, but cycling's still possible, can recall the 1st lengthy ride took place on May 12th last year (6months and 12th day post break)

Had reduced mileage, past year no rides extending over perhaps 70 miles. But found the critical issue whilst enjoying the ride, was to keep the pressure off, so as the bones recovered over 6 months plus, was doing decent length rides, but on a few local, short, steep, inclines, have actually walked short 200' sections (I.e. 70 miles on the bike, was shocked how quickly a "near vertical feeling, 200'" section, could be walked. So cycling is still possible, though over past few cold months, leg is aching.

Found the other critical issue, has been to accept that the NHS is a state monopoly. And? Having had to deal with a state funded monopoly regularly over the past 5.5 years, have recognized how critically important it is to place a priority on one's own interests (Nb. Not my natural mindset)

briansnail wrote: ↑17 Jan 2024, 11:42am

I sustained three closed fractures, two pelvic and one to my right femur,

On the radio this morning it advised supplements were not a good idea .Diet should incorporate all.However it did say an exception.Vitamin D tablets.Especially in winter when we do not get sunshine to make Vitamin D and help bones.
PS it may help stave of Dementia later

Currently having to put up with an "oblique" fractured collar bone - black ice.
I saw on TV recommending vitamin D tablets. Later happened to be in the supermarket so had a look at the medicine shelf.
£10 for a box of D tablets and wondered if that is a normal price. ??
I couldn't see on the box how many you got for your money.

cycleruk wrote: ↑18 Jan 2024, 10:46am

briansnail wrote: ↑17 Jan 2024, 11:42am

I sustained three closed fractures, two pelvic and one to my right femur,

On the radio this morning it advised supplements were not a good idea .Diet should incorporate all.However it did say an exception.Vitamin D tablets.Especially in winter when we do not get sunshine to make Vitamin D and help bones.
PS it may help stave of Dementia later

Currently having to put up with an "oblique" fractured collar bone - black ice.
I saw on TV recommending vitamin D tablets. Later happened to be in the supermarket so had a look at the medicine shelf.
£10 for a box of D tablets and wondered if that is a normal price. ??
I couldn't see on the box how many you got for your money.

Recommended daily supplement is 10µg.

Tesco 's current price is £3.50 for 120 off 12.5 µg. (£0.03 per tablet.)

Jonathan