[Guest]

Hey mark,
Just a thought have you looked into ultrasound? When I use to race I had the odd crash, some of the injuries involved breaks to my collar bones (6 times) and my left ankle twice which was pinned and screwed once.
after the hospital had finished I went to a specialist in Ipswich who spent 1 hour sessions ultra sounding the damaged areas, I’m not a doctor but I think it can speed up the healing process by about 8 times? What I can tell you is after breaking my collar bone I would be racing again within 2 weeks, and my pinned ankle took about 6 weeks before I was riding again. I know the hospitals don’t like using it because of cost…………..
Maybe it’s worth investigating.
Terry.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Terry. I haven't tried ultrasound, but I am using an electromagnetic bone growth stimulator called a Physio-Stim made by Orthofix. They fitted me with this in the hospital and I run it for 3 hours a day. Supposedly it helps, one of the nurses in the hospital said she broke a leg and used one and it sped up her healing. Maybe I'll try ultrasound as well, in fact, my chiropractor uses ultrasound on my lower back, I could have her treat my leg with it as well and see if that helps.

Due to the nature of my break (shattered bones) 5 weeks is a bit early to expect any results as there are lots of pieces of bone in there. But if my next x-rays at 9 weeks don't show any growth, I'll start asking the doctor about alternative treatments.

cheers -
mark

 

[Guest]

Well, I saw the doctor today for my 9-week checkup with new x-rays. The news was bad. There is still zero bone growth. He says that I should start putting a little bit of weight on the leg to see if that stimulates some growth. And he suggested I start running the bone growth stimulator twice a day. He also said that they don't consider a fracture a "non-union" until 6 months have passed with no bone growth. At that point they will try alternative treatments like intensive ultrasound.

I can put 30-40 lbs of weight on the leg without any pain, so
I'll start doing that when on the crutches. I see the doctor again in 4 weeks with new x-rays to find out if there's any change.

 

[Guest]

Hey Mark, praying for you man.... Let's see some bone growth!!!!!!! Hang in there man!!!!!!!!

 

[Guest]

Hey Mark, praying for you man.... Let's see some bone growth!!!!!!! Hang in there man!!!!!!!!

Toby's said it all Keep your chin up bro:\

Al

 

[Guest]

Thanks guys. Yesterday I got great news. I went to see the surgeon who put my leg back together (he's 75 miles away so my neighbor drove me). I've now decided to drop my local doctor and continue with the surgeon. They did their own x-rays right there, and said that I indeed do have some bone growth starting. I got so much more information from them than from the local doctor. And they really seem to care about my recovery. They've switched me to a new leg brace that I can wear a shoe over, and prescribed physical therapy in a swimming pool 3 times a week for 8 weeks. I hope to get started on that next week.

They did tell me that my tib/fib fracture was the worst one they had ever seen. My fibula had literally exploded. My ankle joint had completely dislocated. One piece of the very bottom of my tibia is just missing - they couldn't find it at all. Luckily they said it won't cause any problem with the ankle joint. After talking to them, I realize I'm extremely lucky to still have a right foot.

So, in the "Big Bad Al" tradition:


mark

 

[Guest]

That's great news Mark.

Here's to a continued speedy recovery, you may be on that bike of your sooner than you originally thought!!!!!

 

[Guest]

Re: The extraction of urine!

So, in the "Big Bad Al" tradition:

Al:lol

 

[Guest]

Re: The extraction of urine!

Here's to a continued speedy recovery, you may be on that bike of your sooner than you originally thought!!!!!

Thanks much, Laurence!

Oh, and Al, all in good fun, mate

 

[Guest]

Re: Bad news on my leg

I saw the ortho again today, they took new x-rays and said that the large vertical fracture in my tibia is not healing at all. So, they want to try a bone graft to see if that will take. For my birthday, Aug 10, I'll be having the surgery where they will take bone marrow from my hip, mix it with crushed cadaver bone, and use the resulting putty to patch up the bone. Hopefully this will take and my tibia will heal up after that. What a rotten birthday gift.

I was in my garage the other day and noticed f**king spider webs in the wheels of my Tre (and my other bikes too). Those bloody sods - having to remind me how long it's been since I've ridden. Time to whip out the bug spray.

mark :evil

 

[Guest]

Re: Bad news on my leg

Jeez mark,

What can I say? I don't think yours is the only Tre with cobwebs on it at the moment but that is a real pisser about the bone though Here's hoping that when you go in for your operation the nurse gives you an 'extra special' bed bath:b

Keep your chin up Mark

Al

 

[Guest]

Re: Bad news on my leg

Here's hoping that when you go in for your operation the nurse gives you an 'extra special' bed bath

Well, no such luck on that, Al, it's an outpatient procedure this time, so no bed bath. Just the nastiness of general anesthesia and more incisions on me, this time on my leg and my hip!
Thanks for the good wishes though!
cheers -
mark