Update one month on in case anyone else has the same and wants an idea of one example of progress. Caveated with my fractures were not dislocated, every break is is different, and up until a week ago going back on the turbo was not strictly signed off by a doctor/physio.
Week 1: Spent almost entirely indoors, doing quad stretches, leg lifts, toe extensions ie very very basic physio to keep the legs moving. On two crutches the entire week inside the flat.
Week 2: Exactly two weeks after the crash I went back on the turbo for 15mns, using crutches to get on, and did some gentle pedalling at around 150W. Felt OK. Then did similar the next day for around 75mn at very low watts and again had no issues other than dull ache in the legs but I could not have done it for much longer, but the cycling motion was possible.
Week 3: COVID symptoms such as fever/sore throat/fatigue/nausea which although negative slowed down recovery. Managed 1hr on the turbo at low watts again, exactly 3 weeks after the crash.
Week 4: Recovery from illness and other non-fracture related issues meant nothing apart from walk and gain a little strength back in the legs, since week 4 I have been able to walk around the flat and short distances outside without crutches.
Week 5 (this week): Turbo for 75mns three times, each day getting a little stronger with a dull ache in the legs after riding or sitting in one position still noticeable.
Appreciate all the advice a month ago, especially on zero reset, not pushing too hard and appreciating the incredible ability of the bones to heal. I have definitely been listening to the body, only going as hard/easy as it allows, both on the bike and off the bike. What helped a lot a month ago was hearing your stories so big thanks!
Alas, I’ve just joined the club after a freak incident involving a rut and some Belgian cobbles. This thread has given me some optimism but I’m gutted to be off the bike for so long.
How are you doing now? I also have a stable Acetabular fracture although mine seems to be managed very conservatively. I got out of hospital on Monday after 8 nights but I have been told to stick mostly to bed rest. I have a walking frame but no crutches - the consultant seems adamant that until they do a CT scan on 4th October, I cannot do any more. I’m also wearing a brace that prevents me from sitting up any further than a 45° angle. So frustrating!!! At least your fairly rapid move back on your feet gives me some hope.
All good just now, stronger than I was pre-crash I think. I wouldn’t worry too much, you can basically write the first month off after the crash and treat it as a slightly extended end of season break and then start from there. You will probably find you come back quickly and stronger. Some very good advice above re “zero reset”. Only a couple more weeks till the scan.
Keep taking the anticoagulants in any case, v important!
So…that was a longer break (pun intended) than anticipated. 7 weeks mostly in bed, and a total of 13 weeks absolutely no weight bearing on my left leg due to the difficult location of the fracture. Finally started walking last week. Hobbling around on crutches due to the weakness in my leg but getting stronger. Hamstrings and quads actually feel ok although I have completely lost strength in my calves.
Any ideas where to start from? My doctor and physio say it’s fine to go back on the trainer but low resistance to start with. What they can’t really give me any guidance on is how quickly to increase the difficulty. I’m not in any pain at the moment and I’ve managed a couple of 30 minute sessions at around 100w only.
So frustrating to be out of action like this and I really want to get my fitness back without injuring myself. Main risk now is not the fracture but a long term possibility of arthritis.
No magic advice from me other than listen to your body but just remember you are in the very enviable position of no matter what type training you do, you are going to get significant performance gains over the next couple of months. I stayed away from the very high intensity stuff to start with, ie sprints and focused on longer efforts. It all comes back quickly, Good Luck!
Courage à toi je me suis fracturé le Fémur et le trochanter plus déplacement opération placement d’un clou Gamma il y a 4 semaines demain (il y a une page sur le forum ) je suis Belge
At age 56 I’ve had my first crash and just joined the club after a cat hit my frontwhell during a ride on my citybike. Tripple pelvis fracture. This thread has given me some optimism.
2 weeks in and my doc told me to do 10min very easy (70watt) and adding 2min every day up to 20min.
Just to get the blood flowing.
I hope to be walking without help in 4 weeks, now I can only walk with a walking frame.
My dream is to be back in zone 2 training in 6 weeks from now and then slowly build up with a little zone 3.
Thanks @ambermalika for the link and inspiration:
“When in a hurry, take the long sure path”
I’m making progress everyday and celebrate every small victory.
Sorry to hear. Sounds like yours was similar to mine if you can already pedal a little. Take it easy, no prizes for quickest recovery and in grand scheme it is a quick recovery anyway. Getting on the turbo was harder than riding it from memory!
Hello, I know that this is an old thread but it’s exactly the topic I would like some other affected (amateur racing) cyclists’ experience with; hope that’s ok!
3 weeks ago I came off my bike after not seeing a thin deep line of a pothole and have small fractures in the left side pelvis- ilium, ischium and also sacrum- that don’t involve nerve roots or joints and don’t need surgery to fix. Diagnosed using low dose (apparently) CT scan as nothing showed up on traditional XRay. Was told at the hospital I could be guided by pain and I think I did too much in the first 2 weeks (just trying to behave fairly normally, if on crutches), but then dialled it back. Definitely had less pain in the past week. Pain as others have described; on moving the leg away from the midline and if I inadvertently put any pressure on when hobbling around (trying to move bowls/pans of things).
2 days ago tried a 1/2 hour indoor spin at low zone 2 and felt fine; getting on and off was done very gingerly but ok. Then yesterday I went to see a sports orthopedic surgeon who depressed me by saying I would be best not to even go on my indoor trainer for another 5 weeks -and then only after a second CT. He was concerned about the effect of the muscles pulling on the pelvis and sacrum…but reading this thread I might have to ask if I can do some very gentle 10 mins as @nip123 was advised…I am so fed up!
I am not keen on another massive dose of radiation either and would rather (I think) wait a full 12 weeks if it means not having another scan. I mean I think this season is written off now which is very annoying, but I would rather come back slowly and not have excess radiation. I have healed fractures in the past 5 years fine so I can’t see why these wouldn’t also heal (if I do what I am told!) Has anyone else had two CT scans for something like this?
Not sure if anyone will see this but thank you if you have read this far! Feels good to share.
I was also told not to go on the bike and I was on the turbo after 10 days from memory. My view was that I knew (1) my body and (2) my risk tolerance and the doctors gave me general guidance which I factored in and definitely did not do anything extreme. Everyone is different and I would never recommend that someone ignores doctors advice, but it worked for me.
Thank you @Armadillo. Like you did, I feel I could do something very carefully. The specialist sports orthopod Dr said all the patients he sees feel the same and he cited a ski racer who had to have bed rest for a pelvic fracture to make me feel less bad. Sure that was a lot worse…and it didn’t really reduce my frustration!
I hope you have a good and speedy recovery!