Broken and Bored

Where did that tree come from? I know, I’ll just punch it out of the way like a character in Fortnite. Guess I’ve watched my son play too many video games.
Yesterday’s ride did not go so well. A trip to the ER was not the plan. Lack of traction got me off line wide and into a tree. Broke my left hand behind pinky and ring finger. Orthopedist visit this week to hear the plan of attack. I’m sure it includes putting my finger back in the correct location so it will hopefully work again.
The ER visit was enlightening. Wash your hands. That’s it. I was the only one in ER when I arrived and when I left. They are prepared and ready at Hoag. Least amount of infected people the better of course. Wash your hands.

 

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

 

Sorry to hear about this @Derek13. . Can you give some details as to where you were riding and what happened?

I did a similar break in 2016. They called it a "Boxer's Break." Set it and cast it at the ER, but he said "I don't think that's gonna do it." He was right. Surgery including a small titanium plate and a few screws a few days later - outpatient. Injury April 2. Surgery April 6. Riding May 7th.

Smashed that same hand into the ground last Sunday. Glad the plate is still in there! No break this time.

Glad the ER was empty when you went. Healing vibes headed your way!

 

@Derek13

That blows.....hopefully it's a small break.

Heal up quick.

 

Oh nooooo! Sorry to hear this, hoping you don’t need surgery for a full recovery

 

I like the sounds of your time table @herzalot Hoping for something similar.

Laguna, down Lizard. Lots of dry over hard. Top section was loose and fun. After the HAB rock climb the fun flowy section was very loose and choppy into corners. My friend hammered brakes going into a right hander. I was moving and had to check up harder then I wanted. Pushed me wide and straight into tree crushing my hand against bars and broke my big toe. (Swollen potaTOE right now) bucked me up and over onto trail where I executed a great tuck and roll. No other scratches or bumps.
Thanks for thoughts folks. Be good out there and have fun. Rain this week should be nice.

 

Oh man... That’s not what I wanted to read today!

Hopefully you’ll be on the expedited recovery timetable, with no complications.

And I’m guessing you’ll be smarter than me, and not re-break it several times, because riding was just too important.

 

Those trees can be aggressive! Bummed you got bit, heal strong, Derek.

 

I have a buddy that's a Paramedic in NorCal and other friends that are firefighters down here in Vista & Valley Center. They all said their calls for service are down 90% because "everybody's afraid of going to the ER".

 

Nothing to be afraid of. Everyone there all said hospital is safer than grocery stores. I trust medical facilities and staff way more then the general idiot public and the spread of social media Sh!t.

 

Yeah but that's not how the general public thinks, too many people think the plague is in full effect. They just don't think it's occurring at Costco, Wax-Mart and Starbucks. For that matter, how many times have you read in the last few weeks "this is not the time to be pushing yourself and end up in the ER....#1 because you'll surely be exposed to the plague and #2 because you'll be taking valuable resources away from the Covid fight. I know I've read it 1000 times.
Your experience proves otherwise. Good luck on the recovery.

 

Sorry to hear, hand injuries are no fun. I had a boxer break of the 5th metacarpal around 7 years ago. Ortho gave me the option of having surgery or letting it heal, I opted out of surgery. Soft cast and PT for 6 weeks or so. Took a lot longer than that to get reasonable grip strength back. I'd have to stop on long DHs to shake it out for probably a year. Finger is still kinda crooked but decent grip now. Hope you heal good!

 

Trees. Who in the world hits trees?

You and I should start a club...

I was just talking to someone the other day. I would rather break bones then ligament and deep tissue damage. Bones seem to heal up faster.
Of course, I'm not endorsing breaking bones, but I could be a solid representative...

Feel better fast!

 

Update. Sorry for the depressing post, but it’s raining for days, social isolation, and I’m laid up with constant pain radiating from my hand. What better time to pile on? Surgery yesterday went fine I’m told. No external pins to be removed later. Just a single titanium screw holding together the pieces. Doc thinks PT can now start soon as bone heals with support from screw. Thanks for thoughts and messages of encouragement.

 

Thankfully the surgery went well...

You'll probably be healed up and ready to go before all of the trails are open...

 

Ouchie........

 

Glad to hear surgery went well. As someone who has had all too much experience with injury related down time over the last couple of years I can all but promise you that, while the down time will indeed suck, it will go by quicker than you think. Best wishes for a speedy and smooth recovery.

 

Dayum! Self-tapping screw and all. Glad you got it fixed but I'd swear the cure looks worse than the disease.

 

Glad it all went well! Quick recovery to you.

I wouldn't mind getting a screw like that installed in each pinky. Maybe ring finger, too. Reinforcement for high-contact areas.

 

I hope you get better soon Derek. I bet that screw cost $750.00. Tell them you want it when its time to come out. I'd want it if it were mine.

 

I think it's meant to live there permanently.

Hoping for a quick return to the bike for you, @Derek13!

 

Oh. My bad.

 

Here's my hardware from my 2016 boxer's break. Small titanium plate and 4 screws. Still there and probably prevented me from breaking it again a couple of weeks ago.

Doesn't look as drastic as yours.

 

Maybe the three of us should add these to our handlebars:


Y'know what? Let's add @knucklebuster to this order as well.

 

Nope.....I'll take my chances.

 

Your hand doesn't look like this (taken yesterday):

 

Not today....but yeah.

Actually got my pinky caught in a chainlink fence once when Suz bumped into me. Felt like it tore that finger from my hand.

 

Ouchie.........

 

Ya think those are sturdy enough to withstand a rock impact? Depends on speed I guess. They'd be nice for overgrown trails though.

 

I would feel like a total tool having them on my bike, but right now, the extra protection from ANYTHING touching my left hand (at the base knuckles) would be welcome.

Sam Hill don't care. But he's never really given a rat's ass about what people think. Just rides ungodly fast.