2022/23 Injury Report, who is on the sidelines?

[nay]

These fractures that can affect the vascular aspect of bone health are very much time is of the essence. Mine is at the femoral head and I was bolted back together within 6 hours in emergency surgery. Part of why they want you with weight on it right away is weight bearing with the pin and rod titanium system presses the fracture together to aid in healing.

I am starting to forget where I left my cane as I walk around the house so progress continues at 8 weeks. The MCL strain feels about 90% recovered and that’s allowing me to push strength recovery even harder.

I told my PT yesterday that I had signed up for the Gunnison Growler 32 mile mountain bike race over Memorial Day as a goal (just to ride, I’m not a marathon racer, but it’s still 32 miles of punchy flow-tech at 8K-9K elevation). She looked at me like I am crazy, but then said that is right in the full recovery window to do all the things we do at 4.5 months.

I’m riding the Peloton at full strength rides at top 25% now, and those rides are with the Peloton Bros who exist to crush the leaderboard. I can stand and pedal with high resistance, which is excellent PT, so I think I am on target to “normal” at 12 weeks.

 

[nay]

I walked around the block unassisted yesterday - this is week 10. I’ve walked over a mile walking the dog using my Third Foot cane this week and feels now like more is better.

Still get stiff sitting but it is all coming along - followup with my surgeon on Monday for bone heal progress.

Peloton rides are strong and I’m still tracking to ride The Growler. Probably time to increase from 30 min to 45

 

[Pandita]

So I have some updates. On April 3, 2022 I sustained a signidficant tibia and fibula fracture that required emergency surgery in which they placed a rod, plate, and screws in my left leg. In my injury I slid 1300 feet at 36mph. Thankfully apart from some bruising and road rash, the broken tibia and fibula was the only physical injury.

I was able to eventually ski but only in the beginner area, as i was terrified to go up the lift. Unfortunately my tibia never healed and at eh end of January I required a second survery that required a bone graft to the tibia and a fibular osteotomy. Finally the tibia is healing appropriately.

For those who come back after traumatic injuries, how long has it taken to really get back. I am still in PT twice a week, I am walking, swimming, doing other strength excersises that I can tolerate. It is just so frustrating at times because while I am making progress it is hard to not compare to what I was previously able to do.

I have made it up the chairlift but only able to ski a green. Ski season for me is now over and I have to figure out how to regain my strength for next season.

 

[neonorchid]

- Finally the tibia is healing appropriately.
-
I have to figure out how to regain my strength for next season.

D.C. area, get a hold of @cantunamunch and have him help you get a correct fitting inline marathon skate (you'll need to order a few online and then figure out which skate and size work), and teach you the skills required for inline speed skating. That'll keep you out of trouble and develop the muscle groups used for skiing and balance.

 

[nay]

So I have some updates. On April 3, 2022 I sustained a signidficant tibia and fibula fracture that required emergency surgery in which they placed a rod, plate, and screws in my left leg. In my injury I slid 1300 feet at 36mph. Thankfully apart from some bruising and road rash, the broken tibia and fibula was the only physical injury.

I was able to eventually ski but only in the beginner area, as i was terrified to go up the lift. Unfortunately my tibia never healed and at eh end of January I required a second survery that required a bone graft to the tibia and a fibular osteotomy. Finally the tibia is healing appropriately.

For those who come back after traumatic injuries, how long has it taken to really get back. I am still in PT twice a week, I am walking, swimming, doing other strength excersises that I can tolerate. It is just so frustrating at times because while I am making progress it is hard to not compare to what I was previously able to do.

I have made it up the chairlift but only able to ski a green. Ski season for me is now over and I have to figure out how to regain my strength for next season.

I am sorry to hear of your recovery complications - that sounds like a terrifying accident.

I don’t know that there is a clear answer on how long. One of the things that has helped me is being told by just about everybody that recovery is not linear.

Keep at it - from what I understand with femur breaks, the muscles shut down immediately to attempt to keep the bone in place. Walking on two legs is a miracle of motion. It takes very little to disrupt it and I think that requires patience that all of the muscle groups that work in concert have to come back together and work across the brain midline.

The roller skating sounds like a great idea once the muscles will tolerate it.

 

[cantunamunch]

So I have some updates. On April 3, 2022 I sustained a signidficant tibia and fibula fracture that required emergency surgery in which they placed a rod, plate, and screws in my left leg. In my injury I slid 1300 feet at 36mph. Thankfully apart from some bruising and road rash, the broken tibia and fibula was the only physical injury.

Ooof. That's like - a quarter of a mile, near as makes no difference.

For those who come back after traumatic injuries, how long has it taken to really get back. I am still in PT twice a week, I am walking, swimming, doing other strength excersises that I can tolerate.

Really really? A long time. My body has not been able to do it in less than 2 years, not since I was 20something.

The trick is to find milestones along the way - and to make them different milestones than you used before the injury. Make the recovery a discovery of new things, rather than comparing yourself to your old training notebooks.

It is just so frustrating at times because while I am making progress it is hard to not compare to what I was previously able to do.

 

[skibum4ever]

How long does it take to come back from a traumatic injury? Certainly more than a year, as I am 16 months out and I know I'm not there yet.

However, I do intend to try some very easy skiing over the next couple of weeks. It will give me a better idea of what I need to work on over the summer.

 

[nay]

The trick is to find milestones along the way - and to make them different milestones than you used before the injury. Make the recovery a discovery of new things, rather than comparing yourself to your old training notebooks.

I like this - find things to add.

I was cleared to get on the bike outdoors by my surgeon today at 11 weeks. No technical mountain biking yet, but can ride on dirt. He advises pushing the training, says the bone will heal faster. I think the Peloton has been money in being able to safely push hard early.

Bone heal first at 6 weeks and today 5 weeks later.

 

[Sibhusky]

For those who come back after traumatic injuries, how long has it taken to really get back. I am still in PT twice a week, I am walking, swimming, doing other strength excersises that I can tolerate. It is just so frustrating at times because while I am making progress it is hard to not compare to what I was previously able to do.

In 2007, I slammed into a couple trees and broke both wrists, one was pretty much shattered and at right angles to the other (compound fracture). Pins and plates with nasty scars. Needless to say, I was unable to feed myself or even wipe my butt for quite a while with both arms in casts. I then got CRPS which is nerve damage where the slightest thing puts you into full pain mode even though you just KNOW it shouldn't. It was many months before I conquered that and could take care of myself. Nevertheless, I returned to skiing the following season. Yes I was tentative, but at the time of the crash I'd been quite a vert head and finished 25th in spite of that season-ender. So, skiing was an important part of my self worth. I didn't have the vert that year that I'd had in the past and initially I wasn't using poles, but I was still out there. Then in 2008 I broke a knee cap, more hardware. Once again, months of PT. But, started skiing green runs 2 months before I was approved to return to skiing. And over time (2012) I was skiing close to where I had been. But ultimately, age and the knee cap slowed me down in the off season and that itself started impacting my skiing. And really, I now know very well how long the body can take to recover, having 36 months solid in OT and PT with the two events. So, I'm not a fan of speed anymore, because it increases the injury level quite a bit. When I find myself forgetting that, I "pull over and give myself a lecture" (figuratively) and restart focusing on the turn, not the speed.

I've never been athletically inclined. Especially never done exercise for exercise's sake. I ski because of the beauty and the cold air, not the health benefits. So that may impact things a bit.

I still get out there. And I think I'm aware of how "head issues" can throw off your ability to enjoy skiing and how to work through them. I think comparing yourself to your old self helps in some ways and hurts in others. It gets you out the door, but demanding of yourself a quick return to what you used to be just discourages you. Recognize that it is going to take a while and just settle in for a long slow improvement and that's just the way it is. Accept it.

 

[cantunamunch]

I was cleared to get on the bike outdoors by my surgeon today at 11 weeks. No technical mountain biking yet, but can ride on dirt. He advises pushing the training, says the bone will heal faster. I think the Peloton has been money in being able to safely push hard early.

Bone heal first at 6 weeks and today 5 weeks later.

View attachment 199376 View attachment 199377

I like this - find things to add.

That's one way to think of it.

Another way to interpret it is 'Find new things to lean into'. 5-6 macrocycles or 2 full seasons is enough to take most things, not to 11 but past 7 at least. Most of us have things we've sort of been interested in but chose to not chase.

To pick completely non-random examples:

Ripped finger closing tendons, bouldering is out -> lean into off-road running wind up with better lungs, better XC skiing with stronger ankles than ever imagined
Achilles tendon rip and repair, can't run -> lean into tall-boot gravel skating, wind up with better road bike form than ever, especially pushing tall gears.
Rib break and vertebra crack, can't even hold a handlebar -> lean into inline street slalom (cones), wind up with better, looser hips for skiing than ever.
MCL and meniscus tear, can't skate worth $hit -> lean into dolphin kick, fly stroke and dance stretch, wind up with a taller, more forward alpine stance because upper quads have opened up.
Torn ankle ligament, can't clip in, wear a skate or ski -> lean into climbing short vicious barely-stay-on-bike poppers with flats, wind up with MUCH more intuitive bike handling. Oh and not bored on the bike anymore.
Rotator cuff tear (last of several), gyms are closed for COVID -> lean into e-stim, Indian clubs and mace, wind up with best shoulders and best posture since starting desk jockey jobs.

 

[nay]

Enough snow melt to get out on the bike at week 12. Happy with pace and distance…and wind and sun .

 

[ADKmel]

Update- Today is 16wks and FINALLY My achilles is not killing me, my knee/leg are getting stronger- I'm finally back at the gym pushing weights- new goal Mammoth this summer.. What a journey----- NWB for 8wks really took it's toll on me. I ended up going to Florida so I could safely walk, and then I kept postponing my return due to LOTS of snow and ice at my house- so I stayed for almost a month! I went to an awesome Dr. who did myofascial release and acupuncture- my injured right leg was 1" shorter than the left from gimping so much! He got me straightened out, first session he got my LCL freed from being so tight- 2nd session he got my achilles loosened up. When I arrived in Florida 3/10 I wanted a wheel chair my achilles was so painful, (and I have high pain tolerance) it really freaked me out when I could hardly walk into the airport, it was first time I walked unaided, pulling my way to heavy suitcase I was near tears! 26 days later when I left I just had a limp at the end of the day or if I walked a lot. yes, I walked every day- at 3/4 mile I'd be in wicked pain but I'd just push thru it. The last few days. I was walking 4+ miles still had pain but every day got less, I'm now working on getting my calf strong so achilles can also be strong. I Hope everyone else continues to HEAL!!!

 

[dovski]

Well if you ski enough it finally happens. On my family ski trip to Banff this past week, I tore my right calf muscle on my 3rd day skiing (Tuesday), which was apparently one of the best POW days of the season. This brings my ski season to a premature close as recovery is going to be about 4-6 weeks. I guess from a timing perspective this is not bad as we have had a great year so far, with lots of great snow days. Have a grade 2 tear that is about 2+ inches long so surgery will not be necessary, but skiing running and jumping will have to wait.

My family was able to continue skiing while I nursed my wounds and shifted from vacation mode to remote worker mode. Unfortunately two days later my daughter hurt her knee skiing and we had to rush her to the ER in Banff. We were worried she may have torn her ACL because she heard a click when she fell. Luckily this ER is staffed with Orthopedic Surgeons and sports doctors, who quickly diagnosed this as just a sprain, though we intend to follow-up with our local sports doc and get an MRI this coming week just to be extra sure.

As much as folks gripe about the public health system in Canada, we were pretty impressed. I don't know of any other ER even in ski country that is staffed with specialists like the ER in Banff. Now they do triage you and only have the Orthopedic surgeon come in if the sports doc feels it is necessary ... but seriously on demand sports minded doctors and orthopedic surgeons in an ER, that is pretty cool.

Well the silver lining is that in-spite of the injuries we still managed to have a wonderful family vacation and we will all live to ski another day, just not necessarily this season.

 

[Scruffy]

Well if you ski enough it finally happens. On my family ski trip to Banff this past week, I tore my right calf muscle on my 3rd day skiing (Tuesday), which was apparently one of the best POW days of the season. This brings my ski season to a premature close as recovery is going to be about 4-6 weeks. I guess from a timing perspective this is not bad as we have had a great year so far, with lots of great snow days. Have a grade 2 tear that is about 2+ inches long so surgery will not be necessary, but skiing running and jumping will have to wait.

My family was able to continue skiing while I nursed my wounds and shifted from vacation mode to remote worker mode. Unfortunately two days later my daughter hurt her knee skiing and we had to rush her to the ER in Banff. We were worried she may have torn her ACL because she heard a click when she fell. Luckily this ER is staffed with Orthopedic Surgeons and sports doctors, who quickly diagnosed this as just a sprain, though we intend to follow-up with our local sports doc and get an MRI this coming week just to be extra sure.

As much as folks gripe about the public health system in Canada, we were pretty impressed. I don't know of any other ER even in ski country that is staffed with specialists like the ER in Banff. Now they do triage you and only have the Orthopedic surgeon come in if the sports doc feels it is necessary ... but seriously on demand sports minded doctors and orthopedic surgeons in an ER, that is pretty cool.

Well the silver lining is that in-spite of the injuries we still managed to have a wonderful family vacation and we will all live to ski another day, just not necessarily this season.

I tore my calf muscle years ago ski racing. Much the same tear as yours. Luckily I had ski race buddies who went through the same thing and recommended a Sports Massage Therapist that lived and worked in our area. She had me skiing again in 4 weeks. It was totally worth it for me to have the treatments. The deep massage increases blood flow to the injury, reduces inflammation, and reduces scar tissue formation.

 

[Marker]

I tore my calf muscle years ago ski racing. Much the same tear as yours. Luckily I had ski race buddies who went through the same thing and recommended a Sports Massage Therapist that lived and worked in our area. She had me skiing again in 4 weeks. It was totally worth it for me to have the treatments. The deep massage increases blood flow to the injury, reduces inflammation, and reduces scar tissue formation.

You probably couldn't tell, but last year at Taos I was about three weeks out from a calf sprain on my right leg. The sprain didn't affect my skiing but it did walking at first.

Well if you ski enough it finally happens. On my family ski trip to Banff this past week, I tore my right calf muscle on my 3rd day skiing (Tuesday), which was apparently one of the best POW days of the season. This brings my ski season to a premature close as recovery is going to be about 4-6 weeks. I guess from a timing perspective this is not bad as we have had a great year so far, with lots of great snow days. Have a grade 2 tear that is about 2+ inches long so surgery will not be necessary, but skiing running and jumping will have to wait.

My family was able to continue skiing while I nursed my wounds and shifted from vacation mode to remote worker mode. Unfortunately two days later my daughter hurt her knee skiing and we had to rush her to the ER in Banff. We were worried she may have torn her ACL because she heard a click when she fell. Luckily this ER is staffed with Orthopedic Surgeons and sports doctors, who quickly diagnosed this as just a sprain, though we intend to follow-up with our local sports doc and get an MRI this coming week just to be extra sure.

As much as folks gripe about the public health system in Canada, we were pretty impressed. I don't know of any other ER even in ski country that is staffed with specialists like the ER in Banff. Now they do triage you and only have the Orthopedic surgeon come in if the sports doc feels it is necessary ... but seriously on demand sports minded doctors and orthopedic surgeons in an ER, that is pretty cool.

Well the silver lining is that in-spite of the injuries we still managed to have a wonderful family vacation and we will all live to ski another day, just not necessarily this season.

At Killington there is a clinic with an orthopedic specialist near the base lodges. In addition to the calf sprain, I cracked a rib last year that sidelined me for a month in March, but I was able to finish the season into April. A visit to this clinic put my mind at ease knowing that timetable for recovery. Thankfully this year was injury free! Hope you recover soon and are injury free next year.

 

[Jenny]

Well if you ski enough it finally happens. On my family ski trip to Banff this past week, I tore my right calf muscle on my 3rd day skiing (Tuesday), which was apparently one of the best POW days of the season. This brings my ski season to a premature close as recovery is going to be about 4-6 weeks. I guess from a timing perspective this is not bad as we have had a great year so far, with lots of great snow days. Have a grade 2 tear that is about 2+ inches long so surgery will not be necessary, but skiing running and jumping will have to wait.

My family was able to continue skiing while I nursed my wounds and shifted from vacation mode to remote worker mode. Unfortunately two days later my daughter hurt her knee skiing and we had to rush her to the ER in Banff. We were worried she may have torn her ACL because she heard a click when she fell. Luckily this ER is staffed with Orthopedic Surgeons and sports doctors, who quickly diagnosed this as just a sprain, though we intend to follow-up with our local sports doc and get an MRI this coming week just to be extra sure.

As much as folks gripe about the public health system in Canada, we were pretty impressed. I don't know of any other ER even in ski country that is staffed with specialists like the ER in Banff. Now they do triage you and only have the Orthopedic surgeon come in if the sports doc feels it is necessary ... but seriously on demand sports minded doctors and orthopedic surgeons in an ER, that is pretty cool.

Well the silver lining is that in-spite of the injuries we still managed to have a wonderful family vacation and we will all live to ski another day, just not necessarily this season.

Oof, two injuries in the same week. Getting through the airport to go home must have been interesting.

 

[dovski]

Oof, two injuries in the same week. Getting through the airport to go home must have been interesting.

Yes the Calgary airport was interesting as the car rental return and international check in are on opposite sides of the airport and we had a lot of gear. I ended up dropping off the family and gear at check in and then Took back the car. Westjet was great as the let us pre board and everything went pretty smoothly.

 

[Jenny]

Yes the Calgary airport was interesting as the car rental return and international check in are on opposite sides of the airport and we had a lot of gear. I ended up dropping off the family and gear at check in and then Took back the car. Westjet was great as the let us pre board and everything went pretty smoothly.

That airport is gigantic! I still had my (medical) boot on one of our trips, so took the opportunity to take golf cart and wheelchairs through the airports on that trip.

 

[VickieH]

That airport is gigantic!

It is! I had a sprained ankle. Friends offered to drive me to the airport so I didn't have to deal with luggage on the shuttle. Not knowing the airport, they dropped me off at the other end. My gate was literally the last one at the other end. No golf carts in sight. I got to limp the entire thing.

 

[Jenny]

It is! I had a sprained ankle. Friends offered to drive me to the airport so I didn't have to deal with luggage on the shuttle. Not knowing the airport, they dropped me off at the other end. My gate was literally the last one at the other end. No golf carts in sight. I got to limp the entire thing.

I remember that trip, too. Had forgotten about your airport trek, though.

(Re-reading my post, it occurs to me that it could be read as though I voluntarily used the boot as a prop, to get rides. Not the case - I was still legit confined to the boot at that point.)