[CTD50]

Here it goes for me again.

For the 4th time in 9 years, I have a broken bone as a result of a bike-related mishap. It's getting irritating, but I'll be d*mn*d if I'm gonna quit riding.

This one has been a tragicomedy, though.

No impact like the others; I put a foot down to catch a slide-out on a patch of road ice that stretched all the way across the pavement; the left foot did NOT fold over, catch on a jagged piece, or anything. But the sudden tension of my leg flexing up to arrest the slide made something SNAP! inside my ankle.

Since I could squeeze it with no extra discomfort, and still had full range of motion, I tended to agree with the VA medics, who discerned no break in the x-rays the day of.

Today was exactly four weeks since it happened, and since I was dissatisfied with my progress, I went back yesterday for a follow-up. After some rather intense words with the crew over there, I got another set of x-rays, a cane to help with keeping the weight off the ankle, and a dirty look from the NP.

Two hours after I got back home, I got a phone call: "We're leaving a special boot in the ER for you to come pick up, because we found a healing break in your x-rays."

I've been walking (well, hobbling and limping), working, and riding for four weeks with a broken ankle! Now I have an air cast, and a pending appointment with the ortho experts across town. Not sure why, as it seems to be healing cleanly, maybe just to be sure.

Getting a little tired of the breaks, and the misdiagnoses, too!

I put away a lot of protein daily, take calcium supplements, and get plenty of weight-bearing off the bike.

But mostly, I'd rather the VA get somebody other than Stevie Wonder to read the x-rays.

[Smiley]

Originally Posted by CTD50

But mostly, I'd rather the VA get somebody other than Stevie Wonder to read the x-rays.

Sorry, that made me crack up...

That truly sucks about the break, sorry about that. Maybe you are just...well, unlucky? Clumsy?

Good luck on the healing!

[HandsomeRyan]

Ouch.

I snapped the radial head (funny bone) off my left arm going over the handlebars of my bike when I was in college. Breaking your funnybone off hurts about as much as you'd expect.

On Halloween 08' I was riding on a bike path (admittedly very drunk) coming home from an alleycat race and I slid out on some gravel and broke my cheek bone and did some nerve damage in the right side of my face.

Breaking stuff is never fun. i hope you heal up quick and stay in one piece on future rides.

[funetical]

I stepped out on my back porch tripped on a dog toy and broke my foot once. I feel your pain. Hope it heals well!

[Xela]

Originally Posted by Smiley

Sorry, that made me crack up...

I must admit: me, too!

And I was just about to complain about this little sore throat/cold that's kept me from riding for about a week now.

Hope you get better soon, man!

[CTD50]

The suddenly-contrite VA has hooked me up with an air-cast and a referral to the premier orthopedics group in town. I'll see them next Tuesday.

That air-cast has been a great benefit; I wear it at work, where hours and hours of standing and walking on concrete are a fact of life. At home, i spend most of my time with the foot elevated, so it's not needed at home.

I've had a quiet discussion with my ankle; it understands that I expect to be near 100% by Valentines Day. Whether it goes along with my plan or not is the question.....

[funetical]

Originally Posted by CTD50

I've had a quiet discussion with my ankle; it understands that I expect to be near 100% by Valentines Day. Whether it goes along with my plan or not is the question.....

I see they gave you pain medicine.

[CTD50]

Originally Posted by funetical

I see they gave you pain medicine.

Nah, that's the beer I washed it down with.

[Grape Ape]

Hey you must go to the same VA hospital I go to. When I went in about my ankle on July 8, 2009 they said that after looking at the xrays, I had chipped a small piece of bone in my ankle and it needed to be removed. They gave me a consult to see an orthopedic surgeon to get the surgery to remove it planned. First available date was July 21, 2009. I had injured my back at the same time so I was laid up for the time. I finally get to the ortho surgeon she looks at my x-rays and says the chip if not buggin me is not something she is worried about. BUT she was very concerned about the broken tibia. I hobbled in under my own power wearing a loosely tied tennis shoe and left in walking cast.

I wish Stevie Wonder had just stuck with the music.

[Doohickie]

You know, billiards can be fun, too.

Maybe you should try billiards.