How Long before riding????

I have not suffered an injury that serious, but I do have a hand that is held together with two screws. I know this sucks, but the best advice is to listen to the doctor and physical therapist and I feel safe in saying that he will be seeing a physical therapist. This is the only way to minimize the possibility of re-injuring the leg.
Hang in there, it will get better.

Broken hip - pin and plate, riding after 3 months of very intensive PT that I paid for myself (one of the best things I could have done).

Good Luck.

Wilson, How extensive is the nerve damage?

How are his spirits?

awilson40,
I agree with Kiwi, PT is the answer. A few years ago (10, time flies :scream: ) I blew out an ACL while playing football. At the time I was into slalom skiing, bare footing and was Aircrew in the Navy. The Doc said I'd be off the water for 6+ months and off the flight schedule (grounded) for 12-18 months. :(

I didn't accept the terms and began an intensive self rehab along with the normal PT immediately after surgery. (Only do it this within the limits of your pain.) The Navy decreased my scheduled PT as I demonstrated improvement. That's the wrong way to go! You see, THEY were willing to accept the "normal" recovery time, but I wasn't.

I stuck with the 3 scheduled PTs a week and kept at my own rehab for another month. During this time (30 days after surgery) I was skiing again, another month later barefooting. Finally on a follow-up visit with my Doc I told him what I'd been doing.

At first he wasn't happy and had me demonstrate several exercises normally performed prior to being recommended for flight status again. This was 3 months after surgery and I past his exercises without a problem. He let me fly 6 months after surgery. :)

Sorry about the long story, but here's the point. He has a goal; don't let anyone get in the way of that goal, except him and his pain. Have him agree now to meet certain terms prior to riding and you’ll be the judge prior to letting him ride. If he's motivated and it sounds to me he is, he'll perform self PT everyday until he's ready to ride. The kick starter and more importantly, the rear brake should be in the terms you agree too. I wish him well and keep us posted.

Scott

Go Pirates!

awilson40,

I hate these kind of stories and hope your son fully recovers.

My injury was a fracture tibia plateau. A lot of fracturing. It didn't heal straight so doc rebroke the bone and replaced the screws and plate three months after the first operation. Some nerve damage but no ghost pain.

It took about 9 months after the second operation to get back on a dirt bike. A large part of the time was spent recovering from the muscle atrophy. Look for range of motion and strength as signs of being ready to ride.

If there is pain I'd consult a doctor first.

Best Wishes

Whoops

- bscottr, what squadron? I was aircrew in VS-21.

Whoops,
Cool. :) AW? I was an AT in VP-30, VP-10, Force Warfare, BUPERs, Naval Air Systems Command. Small world. What are you up to now?

BTW Your point concerning muscle atrophy is dead on.

Scott

i bet they gave him some good drugs for that huh?

Awilson, bscottr is right on about the PT. I'm medical guy in the military. I've been in for about ten yrs and mostly in light infantry and airborne units. Most of the old NCO's who spend most of their time jumping out of acft tend to have really poor knees and ankles. Although this is a bit late for your son, the best way to prepare/avoid injuries is through exercise and stretching. The more you exercise and stretch the more limber you are when your body unexpectedly encounters an outside force, ie the rubberband. More to the point, once you are injured the keys to recovery especially in the area of breaks and joint problems are, morale and PT. Our biggest problem in my area when it comes to injury recover is that we don't continue to follow up with PT once the symptoms of the injury diminish, or go back several months later to re-inspect the problem area. Keep on with the PT and follow thorugh with it despite the cost. A good Physical therapist will not only treat the injury, but should also be your son's biggest fan/buttkicker on the road to recovery. I hope he heals up soon and is able to get back in the saddle. Good luck!!