From an EPIC Ride to an EPIC Fall and a broken hip.....
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From an EPIC Ride to an EPIC Fall and a broken hip.....
I had a hard fall on the road last night during our Tuesday night group ride out of Kannapolis and the asphalt won?!?!?! There were a few riders ahead of me which obstructed my view of some pretty big rocks on the road. When I hit one of them I was flipped sideways landing on my right hip, knee and chin. I broke my right hip and have a lot of road rash. I got stitches in my elbow and chin (the ER PA intern’s first stitches!!! I’m sure he learned from doing mine!!!) I’m really glad I didn’t break my jaw or collarbone. Boy, it sure happened quickly and was a hard glancing blow.
The rider behind me ran over my front wheel but fortunately was able to say upright. I haven’t had the chance to inspect my bike but I’m hoping my body took the brunt of the fall. The riders behind me said I gracefully rode the bike to the ground.
Our club goes to extremes to communicate potential hazards so who knows how I missed the cues. We weren’t really pushing the pace, just moving along at a comfortable 22-23 mph on flattish ground. The rocks came out of a gravel driveway and were further out in the road than normal. I hadn’t ridden a recovery ride since the 200k on Saturday but I had walked 18 holes on both Monday and Tuesday. My legs were feeling particularly good and I was already thinking about picking up the pace on a 1 mile climb a couple miles ahead just to see what I could do. I was probably close to my peak form for the year. I was well positioned in the group with just a handful of good, predictable riders ahead of me. It just happened so fast.....
I knew pretty immediately there were issues with my right hip. My leg was twisted a little and for sure wasn’t cooperating. I’d sure hate it if whatever damage I did to the Pinarello wasn’t repairable. That’s been a perfect everyday bike for me. I’ll check it out when I get out of the hospital.
Luckily one of bike club fellas had ridden that morning, is a professional videographer and was following us with his drone. He was out on the course in his pickup, heard the commotion and was onsite within minutes. He carried my bike and other riding stuff back to my van at the start. We then went to ER where my wife was waiting.
Ball in my right hip was toast. Through fortunate circumstances I wound up with having dialogue with a hip replacement specialist via his partner who was on call. After listening to me describe my various activities I wound up convincing them to do the full hip replacement. That should give me more service longer. We went from looking at doing a partial replacement with a non specialist to the top guy in the group doing the full replacement. I count my blessings for how that played out!!!
I was happy to donate my cycling shorts to the ER scissors. Just glad I didn’t have to remove them.
The doctor is telling me 6-8 weeks until I can ride a stationary bike and 3 months for golf. However he wouldn’t commit to a timeframe for road riding right now. I’m fine with that. We’ll see how things go. I’m guessing the 200 miles to the Beach in early October might just be a stretch right now?!?!?!
At least I got in a super 200k over the weekend with some really nice folks.
Check out the swelling on my right hip, football sized! The doctor indicated that the outer layer of skin had separated from the fatty tissue underneath and all the blood was pooling there. It was a really hard blow and bounce off the asphalt!! He went ahead and installed a drain/pump to remove the blood.
Huge hematoma on my right hip
Knee road rash
Road rash on my right hip right elbow prettysad looking
Right elbow pretty sad looking
Drain pump
Elbow and chunk out of my chin
Drain post hip replacement
Right now morphine is my friend!!
The rider behind me ran over my front wheel but fortunately was able to say upright. I haven’t had the chance to inspect my bike but I’m hoping my body took the brunt of the fall. The riders behind me said I gracefully rode the bike to the ground.
Our club goes to extremes to communicate potential hazards so who knows how I missed the cues. We weren’t really pushing the pace, just moving along at a comfortable 22-23 mph on flattish ground. The rocks came out of a gravel driveway and were further out in the road than normal. I hadn’t ridden a recovery ride since the 200k on Saturday but I had walked 18 holes on both Monday and Tuesday. My legs were feeling particularly good and I was already thinking about picking up the pace on a 1 mile climb a couple miles ahead just to see what I could do. I was probably close to my peak form for the year. I was well positioned in the group with just a handful of good, predictable riders ahead of me. It just happened so fast.....
I knew pretty immediately there were issues with my right hip. My leg was twisted a little and for sure wasn’t cooperating. I’d sure hate it if whatever damage I did to the Pinarello wasn’t repairable. That’s been a perfect everyday bike for me. I’ll check it out when I get out of the hospital.
Luckily one of bike club fellas had ridden that morning, is a professional videographer and was following us with his drone. He was out on the course in his pickup, heard the commotion and was onsite within minutes. He carried my bike and other riding stuff back to my van at the start. We then went to ER where my wife was waiting.
Ball in my right hip was toast. Through fortunate circumstances I wound up with having dialogue with a hip replacement specialist via his partner who was on call. After listening to me describe my various activities I wound up convincing them to do the full hip replacement. That should give me more service longer. We went from looking at doing a partial replacement with a non specialist to the top guy in the group doing the full replacement. I count my blessings for how that played out!!!
I was happy to donate my cycling shorts to the ER scissors. Just glad I didn’t have to remove them.
The doctor is telling me 6-8 weeks until I can ride a stationary bike and 3 months for golf. However he wouldn’t commit to a timeframe for road riding right now. I’m fine with that. We’ll see how things go. I’m guessing the 200 miles to the Beach in early October might just be a stretch right now?!?!?!
At least I got in a super 200k over the weekend with some really nice folks.
Check out the swelling on my right hip, football sized! The doctor indicated that the outer layer of skin had separated from the fatty tissue underneath and all the blood was pooling there. It was a really hard blow and bounce off the asphalt!! He went ahead and installed a drain/pump to remove the blood.
Huge hematoma on my right hip
Knee road rash
Road rash on my right hip right elbow prettysad looking
Right elbow pretty sad looking
Drain pump
Elbow and chunk out of my chin
Drain post hip replacement
Right now morphine is my friend!!
#2
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Sorry to read this, jppe. Hoping for a speedy recovery.
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OUCH!!!! I should be out right now on a midnight ride but storms are heading my way. Really enjoy the group rides but non attentive riders ahead in the line can really cause havoc. Good luck and LISTEN TO THE DOCTORS and THERAPISTS.
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Ouch I’m glad you are relatively OK. Bummer about hip replacement you are in excellent shape so I would bet recovery and return to the bike on or before schedule.
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The whole tone of the post is sop light and cheery, and in the pictures, jppe looks so happy and relaxed .... they must have given his something potent. If i had wounds like that I think i might just shrivel up into to dust and blow away.
Tough dude,
Bad luck ... but great luck wit the new hip. Silver lining ... sort of.
Tough dude,
Bad luck ... but great luck wit the new hip. Silver lining ... sort of.
#6
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Youch!
Sounds like you have a good support system between home and medical care, and a positive attitude. You'll do fine.
The scenario you described is my main worry in fast group rides. Usually I hang way in the back so there are fewer surprises, but it's harder work and I often lose the draft and need to sprint to close gaps. But I want to have a clear view of everything.
I'm still recovering from a broken/dislocated shoulder from being hit by a car in May. I remember feeling remarkably cheerful and not too uncomfortable that evening. But the pain set in pretty soon and was a miserable couple of months, although it's been better this month.
Sounds like you have a good support system between home and medical care, and a positive attitude. You'll do fine.
The scenario you described is my main worry in fast group rides. Usually I hang way in the back so there are fewer surprises, but it's harder work and I often lose the draft and need to sprint to close gaps. But I want to have a clear view of everything.
I'm still recovering from a broken/dislocated shoulder from being hit by a car in May. I remember feeling remarkably cheerful and not too uncomfortable that evening. But the pain set in pretty soon and was a miserable couple of months, although it's been better this month.
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Sorry to see this! Unfortunately, this sort of thing happens occasionally on group rides -- someone doesn't point out an obstruction, or the signal gets missed, and someone goes down.
I once broke my hip...At least they don't put a cast on it. You'll just be on crutches for a long while.
I hope you heal up and get back on the bike soon.
I once broke my hip...At least they don't put a cast on it. You'll just be on crutches for a long while.
I hope you heal up and get back on the bike soon.
#12
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Wishes for a full recovery.
edit: yeah @jppe, your rides and desire to share them in such detail for us over the years has been inspirational.
Be safe out there.
edit: yeah @jppe, your rides and desire to share them in such detail for us over the years has been inspirational.
Be safe out there.
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Man, I'm getting sore just looking at those pictures. Take care and here's to a quick recovery.
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Wow. Scary story. The pictures tell it all.
Regarding the hip surgery — Have you seen a sports medicine doc? They like to get "active" people and athletes back to their usual activities ASAP. When I had shoulder surgery and knee surgery (not as serious as yours) the sports med doc had me in PT the morning after the shoulder surgery. I was riding again in 2 months. After the knee surgery (again a sports med doc) I was told to get on the trainer the afternoon of the knee surgery and ride for 5 minutes and increase the time a little each day. I was back on the rode in 4 weeks.
Good luck with your surgery and keep us posted.
Regarding the hip surgery — Have you seen a sports medicine doc? They like to get "active" people and athletes back to their usual activities ASAP. When I had shoulder surgery and knee surgery (not as serious as yours) the sports med doc had me in PT the morning after the shoulder surgery. I was riding again in 2 months. After the knee surgery (again a sports med doc) I was told to get on the trainer the afternoon of the knee surgery and ride for 5 minutes and increase the time a little each day. I was back on the rode in 4 weeks.
Good luck with your surgery and keep us posted.
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The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
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I seen that done.
I still can remember the transfer from the gurney to the X-ray table and back. God that hurt. Every X-ray tech I've ever met has to be a closet sadist. The happiest words I heard that day were "We'll put you to sleep before we transfer you onto the operating table."
I still can remember the transfer from the gurney to the X-ray table and back. God that hurt. Every X-ray tech I've ever met has to be a closet sadist. The happiest words I heard that day were "We'll put you to sleep before we transfer you onto the operating table."
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Glorious, but you are brave. Congratulations on the good attitude. Prayers for a fast recovery and safe return to riding.
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I seen that done.
I still can remember the transfer from the gurney to the X-ray table and back. God that hurt. Every X-ray tech I've ever met has to be a closet sadist. The happiest words I heard that day were "We'll put you to sleep before we transfer you onto the operating table."
I still can remember the transfer from the gurney to the X-ray table and back. God that hurt. Every X-ray tech I've ever met has to be a closet sadist. The happiest words I heard that day were "We'll put you to sleep before we transfer you onto the operating table."
Trying to get on the Xray table from the wheelchair was very rough. I lucked out and had a male technician who did his best to help me get on by slowly lifting my leg. That was the worst and most painful of the experience thus far. He even went at lengths to put the X-ray machine in different positions to avoid me having to move around. He even went out of his way to go get a hospital bed and create an opening in an ER examination room. That way he could just slide me over from the table to the bed to avoid getting back in the wheelchair. I was shaking uncontrollably from the pain while on the table. The best words were him saying “I’m finished with the X-rays”.
Then a little later I got the worst words from the ER Doctor .....we already have X-rays of your hip but we need more of your femur. I felt like crying!!!
Then there was a CAT Scan of my head and neck. Those ladies were a Rough!! They were able to slide me around while I was lying on the sheet but doing it fast was a higher priority than comfort from them.
My anesthesiaologist for my sugery gave me a choice of rolling me around before I went under or afterwards for a nerve block. I emphatically told him to knock me out first!!!
Most of my medical team have been very helpful in moving me around and minimizing the pain. It’s just one or two of them that fell off of my Christmas list for their lack of empathy!!!
#20
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Sorry jppe. From the injury description it sounds like the full replacement was a good option. Make sure you do all the PT and you should be back with the group soon. I had a similar slam two years ago and ended up with a pin in my hip (actually looks like a post and beam). I was back to normal and taking a bike trip less than six months later.
#21
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The good news in all this is that you have a lot of friends here on BF 50+ who genuinely care about you. I, too, always read your posts with interest.
Take care, get well soon, and let us know how you're doing.
Take care, get well soon, and let us know how you're doing.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
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#22
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Wow! that is rough one; wishing you a speedy recovery.
Well, the Vuelta is coming up for entertainment during your convalescence; you can watch others crash their bikes (hopefully none seriously). Also I noticed in some of your photos that you also run with Pack; football season is right around the corner; GO PACK! So there's few entertainment options; however, hope you are back on the bike and golf course sooner than expected.
I am nowhere near your level on the bike so I only go fast downhill. I managed to almost meet my end recently going downhill into a hairpin corner with an unexpected amount of gravel; had to ride it straight almost into an on coming car; really dumb luck I didn't go down and proceed to get run over by the car. Glad you are still on the right side of the grass and can come back as the bionic biker and golfer. Once again best of luck with the recovery.
Well, the Vuelta is coming up for entertainment during your convalescence; you can watch others crash their bikes (hopefully none seriously). Also I noticed in some of your photos that you also run with Pack; football season is right around the corner; GO PACK! So there's few entertainment options; however, hope you are back on the bike and golf course sooner than expected.
I am nowhere near your level on the bike so I only go fast downhill. I managed to almost meet my end recently going downhill into a hairpin corner with an unexpected amount of gravel; had to ride it straight almost into an on coming car; really dumb luck I didn't go down and proceed to get run over by the car. Glad you are still on the right side of the grass and can come back as the bionic biker and golfer. Once again best of luck with the recovery.
#23
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Oh crap. I'm so sorry to hear about this. I'm with you on the pain meds and the like. Pain is for people who have no other options.
Any idea of what your recovery time will be?
Any idea of what your recovery time will be?
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Speedy recovery!
Is someone checking on the bike?
Is someone checking on the bike?
#25
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Vic, my ortho said 6-8 weeks for a stationary bike. I asked him when I could get back on the road and he just smiled and said “we’ll see”. He senses my desire and aptitude but is just being cautious which I’m fine with. We’ve had a lot of discussions and he’s going to steer me straight. I’m not worried how long it might take as time is still on my side. What I don’t look forward to is the conditioning loss and regaining whatever form I can get back to. There’s a lot more work involved in rebuilding than maintaining!!!