Post-crash training

KatieS

I'd did a spectacular face plant yesterday morning and have really bashed up my hand. Apparently nothing's broken, but it's up like a balloon and very painful. I'm supposed to be cycling from London to Paris in just over two weeks time.

Should I just accept that I'll have to rest until the event, or is it worth spending a few hours in the gym on the cycling machines over the next week just to keep my legs going? I am pretty bashed up all over - very stiff and achey, but no other significant injuries.

Frigo's Luggage

Rest for a few days or do some very lite spinning to help the stiff legs. Don't worry about the training. You won't loose much fitness before the event. In fact, the rest may be beneficial in the end.

KatieS

It's almost three weeks since my crash and my arm is now in plaster. They think I have fractured my scaphoid (small bone in wrist), but apparently this type of fracture doesn't show up straight away.

So my London to Paris bike ride (which I have been training for all year) is now officially off (due to start tomorrow). I am gutted.

Has anyone else had a similar type of fracture? If so, how long was it before you were back on the bike?

I'm really worried about losing the fitness I have worked so hard for. I tried a session on the bikes in the gym, but impossible to put any real effort in with using your hands at all! Does anyone have any suggestions?

redbikegirl

Hi Katie - found your thread when searching scaphoid. I'm in plaster, to be re-xrayed Thursday to see if I really have a scaphoid fracture or just a bad sprain. How are you doing now? How long did you have that deep dull ache for? Are you still sore in your cast?

Missing your ride really sucks. I'm meant tobe doing a big ride in 13 weeks & am v antsy about maybe missing out b/c I won't be fit enough.

KatieS

Bad luck on the fall - hope it doesn't turn out to be a scaphoid fracture. What happened?

Mine turned out not to be a fracture, but 9 weeks on I am still having quite a lot of problems - don't have the full range of movement in my hand and it's still very achey. Have been back on the bike once, but only managed 10 miles.

If you don't have a fracture, you should be ok in 13 weeks, but don't be surprised if it takes a very long time to recover fully. They kept telling me it was "just soft tissue damage" so when I still couldn't ride after 4, 5 and 6 weeks I thought they must have got the diagnosis wrong! I finally went to a physio who said that this type of damage can take up to a year to fully heal

Don't know how long a scaphoid fracture takes to heal, but make sure you get good attention from the docs and a referral for physio. I virtually had to demand a physio appointment, but I'm glad I did as it is the one thing that has been a positive help.

Good luck and fingers crossed for the x-ray