Pelvic fracture anyone? Recovery experience?

[Wayne77]

I’m in a hospital in France right now...traveled here for some riding during the Tour. Last Thursday I was descending the Col du Galibier after watching stage 18. A cyclist in front of me dropped something, not sure what it was but the second my front wheel rolled over it, it blew out, the carbon rim then became the contact point with the road, and I went down hard on my left hip. The rental bike was set up tubeless, so the front tire was completely off the rim after the crash ...I ride tubulars back home.

Anyway, I fractured my pelvis in 2 places...zero mobility right now. I’ve heard I’ll make a full recovery but wondering if anyone else has had the same injury. If so, how long were you on crutches? How long until you could walk without crutches? And how long until you could ride a bile again?

Semi-related question: have any of you been injured overseas and then had to be flown back via an air-ambulance jet? (Basically a small private Learjet that will accommodate a stretcher. I’ll be doing this and I’m wondering what your experience was like.

Thanks!

[rnhood]

One would think the doctor in France would have provided the estimated recovery info but maybe they just patch and send you out.

Anyway, a fractured pelvis is usually quite painful for a couple weeks and you will be immobilized. Then a walker perhaps for a week or so, then crutches 3 or 4 weeks, then PT for 3 weeks or so. Its a pretty slow process but the type fracture will have an effect on this. The bike....you better plan on 4 to 5 months. It's a slow process.

[CNY rider]

Originally Posted by Wayne77

I’m in a hospital in France right now...traveled here for some riding during the Tour. Last Thursday I was descending the Col du Galibier after watching stage 18. A cyclist in front of me dropped something, not sure what it was but the second my front wheel rolled over it, it blew out, the carbon rim then became the contact point with the road, and I went down hard on my left hip. The rental bike was set up tubeless, so the front tire was completely off the rim after the crash ...I ride tubulars back home.

Anyway, I fractured my pelvis in 2 places...zero mobility right now. I’ve heard I’ll make a full recovery but wondering if anyone else has had the same injury. If so, how long were you on crutches? How long until you could walk without crutches? And how long until you could ride a bile again?

Semi-related question: have any of you been injured overseas and then had to be flown back via an air-ambulance jet? (Basically a small private Learjet that will accommodate a stretcher. I’ll be doing this and I’m wondering what your experience was like.

Thanks!

That’s a tough injury.
Wishing you speedy healing.
Insider tip: make sure you poop. Regularly. The combination of pelvic fractures and pain meds can lead to severe, medical grade constipation that will make you more miserable than the fracture ever does.
If they aren’t already giving you laxatives ask for them now. Don’t wait until you are having trouble moving your bowels, by then it’s too late.

[OtayBW]

Originally Posted by Wayne77

I’m in a hospital in France right now...traveled here for some riding during the Tour. Last Thursday I was descending the Col du Galibier after watching stage 18. A cyclist in front of me dropped something, not sure what it was but the second my front wheel rolled over it, it blew out, the carbon rim then became the contact point with the road, and I went down hard on my left hip. The rental bike was set up tubeless, so the front tire was completely off the rim after the crash ...I ride tubulars back home.

Anyway, I fractured my pelvis in 2 places...zero mobility right now. I’ve heard I’ll make a full recovery but wondering if anyone else has had the same injury. If so, how long were you on crutches? How long until you could walk without crutches? And how long until you could ride a bile again?

Semi-related question: have any of you been injured overseas and then had to be flown back via an air-ambulance jet? (Basically a small private Learjet that will accommodate a stretcher. I’ll be doing this and I’m wondering what your experience was like.

Thanks!

WOW! Nothing to add, but just a vote of moral support. Makes me glad I've got good ins. coverage as I have been overseas a lot lately myself. I'd like to say that it probably looks worse from your perspective than it may, in fact, be. Here's hoping for a full and fast recovery!

[NHAero]

All of our collective sympathies to you, what a tough break (figuratively and literally). Hoping that your excellent physical condition will assist in a speedier than normal recovery.

[oldpotatoe]

OUCH...hope the financials are in order(including an ambulance ride I'm guessing?)..Charter a flight back to US? That's gonna be expensive..

BIG +1 about pain meds and constipation..probably even tougher considering the pita(sorry) of sitting onna pot..

Beat of luck, as said, collective PL well wishes.

[Jeff Weir]

Originally Posted by CNY rider

That’s a tough injury.
Wishing you speedy healing.
Insider tip: make sure you poop. Regularly. The combination of pelvic fractures and pain meds can lead to severe, medical grade constipation that will make you more miserable than the fracture ever does.
If they aren’t already giving you laxatives ask for them now. Don’t wait until you are having trouble moving your bowels, by then it’s too late.

This is VERY true
Been there, done that

[kingpin75s]

Sorry to hear. Somehow feels worse when resultant from someone else.

Are the fractures limited enough that they will not be operated on and that recovery and rehab is what is needed?

A close friend had his pelvis fractured last year after one of his huge dogs seemingly popped his Tundra into gear and ran him over as he opened his garage door. Fractured in multiple places but minimal enough to not operate.

Let me know. I can check with him on the specifics of his timetable.

In France as well right now and really feel for your situation. Take care.

[redir]

Dang what a bummer way to end a nice trip... Sorry to hear it for you.

Too bad too becasue if you were on your tubulars you probably would have had enough traction to stay upright. C'est la vie.

One of my teammates suffered the same thing and while I don't remember how long it actually took I remember being surprised he was up and at it again so soon.

Good luck on the recovery.

[Bruce K]

We used an air ambulance to move my father from FL to MA post stroke.

Very professional, very efficient, VERY EXPENSIVE!

Some travel insurance plans have emergency medical evacuation coverage.

Good luck with your recovery.

BK

[JasonF]

So sorry to hear about your accident and wish you a speedy recovery.

+3 on the poop issue. When I had my cycling trauma accident (fractured T-7, multiple leg compound fracture, broken arms, broken facial bones....you get the idea) I was on some serious pain meds that resulted in some serious constipation. Didn't go for 10 days and trying to get the system to do its job was brutal.

Sounds like you have insurance (or the cash) to cover the air ambulance. I've never done it, but know someone who did and it was a great thing for them. Toughest part might be getting to Lyon/Nice or wherever you'll be flown from. Please keep us updated!

[Tandem Rider]

Wow, that is awful. No personal experience, but I watched MrsTR go through it 8-10 years ago. Hers happened in an April RR, she was in bed for a couple weeks, crutches/walker and back on the trainer for short spins at about 3-4 weeks, racing again before the summer was over, 100% recovery, alpine skied that winter. Your precise break and timeline is probably different, but everyone we talked to said prognosis for complete recovery was very good. Pay attention to how you feel and your body is responding, most MD's are not athletes and don't understand the difference between athletes and sedentary folks. Might be worth seeing a sports focused specialist when you get stateside.

[AngryScientist]

Ouch Wayne! No advice, but wishing you the best and speediest recovery!

[MattTuck]

Unfortunately, I don't have any information I can provide. I am just wishing you a full and speedy recovery. That sounds like it will be a long road, with many ups and downs -- but you can do it. Stay positive and if you ever need a random pick me up, shoot me a PM and I'll give you some positive energy.

Given the air ambulance.... you may become the true $6 million dollar man!

"Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. Wayne77 will be better than he was before. Better, stronger, faster."

[spoonrobot]

If you're bored and want to find a little solace, two very good bloggers I read have fractured their pelvis riding. Their posts about the injury and recovery are good reading IMO.

Aki at Sprinter della Casa: http://sprinterdellacasa.blogspot.co...to-suffer.html

and Seth at PV Cycling: https://pvcycling.wordpress.com/2016...ehabilitation/

You can do a word search for other posts on both sites, there are quite a few relevant posts.