Ouch (possible NSFW pictures of my rear to follow)
Discussion
Jiminycrocket said:
Kbo as Churchill said. Great to see the progress beginning for you. Very best of luck with the ongoing recovery.
CheersHad more physio Tuesday and git more Friday, as well as a visit to the consultant. I’m hoping we get to increase the “turn rate”. So far, so good, I scored the top of the fixator (it’s carbon fibre but marked as “single use only” and apparently goes for destruction as clinical waste once they have fixed me and removed it) and there is definitely movement from Friday when I started turning.
Pain is still under control, boredom is still an issue - so much so I’m looking forward to going to the dentist tomorrow (well, this) morning as it gives me a reason to get up, get washed and get out of the flat. I’ll also see some actual human beings, other than my poor, patient, long suffering girlfriend.
Dibble said:
(it’s carbon fibre but marked as “single use only” and apparently goes for destruction as clinical waste once they have fixed me and removed it)
Oh, no, no, no! You have to keep that piece of very cool CF sculpture as a trophy... I'm sure it would come in handy for something 
defblade said:
Oh, no, no, no! You have to keep that piece of very cool CF sculpture as a trophy... I'm sure it would come in handy for something
I asked for the broken plate and screws/pins they removed from my leg back in May, when they started the limb reconstruction and I was initially referred to the new consultant. I was told they didn’t give people the “bits” any more as someone had cut themself on some metal they’d been given and had then tried to sue the trust. Whether or not that’s true, I’m not quite sure. I’ve got a bit more of a “relationship” with the consultant now, so I’m going to ask again for a/some souvenirs. She can only say “no”, so nothing ventured, nothing gained. I would like a “souvenir”. Up to now, although I’ve kept all my damaged clothing, the only really souvenir I’ve got (apart from some modified jeans with zips up the sides and a few scars!) is the one piece of clothing they didn’t cut off me, which was my left sock. That’s getting framed at some point!
I also had to return my loan wheelchair from the Red Cross (I should’ve actually had it back to them a good couple of weeks ago). I’m in the bizarre situation where my injuries aren’t bad enough to qualify for a NHS wheelchair. At the same time, if my injuries weren’t as severe, I would actually qualify for a short term loan chair from the NHS. It seems you either have to be REALLY inured, or barely injured at all, to get an NHS or social services chair. “Moderate” injury puts you in no man’s land! I’ve managed to sweet talk the Red Cross into another short term loan chair and I’m buying a reconditioned one from them, which I’ll then donate to a charity when I’m done with it. I’ve donated to the Red Cross too.
Like many things in life, it’s only when you see stuff like this up,close you realise just how f
ked up and disorganised it can all be, while at the same time being really good in a crisis (I’ve still not had any recent visits from the district nurses, despite me being referred again by the hospital and my GP, as well as me speaking to them directly. Utterly baffling and useless in equal measure - the system, not the people, as I had two visits after my first surgery and they were both really good). I’ve no idea how people living on their own or without family/friends to help actually cope.Dibble said:
I asked for the broken plate and screws/pins they removed from my leg back in May, when they started the limb reconstruction and I was initially referred to the new consultant. I was told they didn’t give people the “bits” any more as someone had cut themself on some metal they’d been given and had then tried to sue the trust. Whether or not that’s true, I’m not quite sure.
I’ve got a bit more of a “relationship” with the consultant now, so I’m going to ask again for a/some souvenirs. She can only say “no”, so nothing ventured, nothing gained. I would like a “souvenir”. Up to now, although I’ve kept all my damaged clothing, the only really souvenir I’ve got (apart from some modified jeans with zips up the sides and a few scars!) is the one piece of clothing they didn’t cut off me, which was my left sock. That’s getting framed at some point!
I also had to return my loan wheelchair from the Red Cross (I should’ve actually had it back to them a good couple of weeks ago). I’m in the bizarre situation where my injuries aren’t bad enough to qualify for a NHS wheelchair. At the same time, if my injuries weren’t as severe, I would actually qualify for a short term loan chair from the NHS. It seems you either have to be REALLY inured, or barely injured at all, to get an NHS or social services chair. “Moderate” injury puts you in no man’s land! I’ve managed to sweet talk the Red Cross into another short term loan chair and I’m buying a reconditioned one from them, which I’ll then donate to a charity when I’m done with it. I’ve donated to the Red Cross too.
Like many things in life, it’s only when you see stuff like this up,close you realise just how fked up and disorganised it can all be, while at the same time being really good in a crisis (I’ve still not had any recent visits from the district nurses, despite me being referred again by the hospital and my GP, as well as me speaking to them directly. Utterly baffling and useless in equal measure - the system, not the people, as I had two visits after my first surgery and they were both really good). I’ve no idea how people living on their own or without family/friends to help actually cope.
Some of my spares, still got one of those rods in my femur after thirty years...I’ve got a bit more of a “relationship” with the consultant now, so I’m going to ask again for a/some souvenirs. She can only say “no”, so nothing ventured, nothing gained. I would like a “souvenir”. Up to now, although I’ve kept all my damaged clothing, the only really souvenir I’ve got (apart from some modified jeans with zips up the sides and a few scars!) is the one piece of clothing they didn’t cut off me, which was my left sock. That’s getting framed at some point!
I also had to return my loan wheelchair from the Red Cross (I should’ve actually had it back to them a good couple of weeks ago). I’m in the bizarre situation where my injuries aren’t bad enough to qualify for a NHS wheelchair. At the same time, if my injuries weren’t as severe, I would actually qualify for a short term loan chair from the NHS. It seems you either have to be REALLY inured, or barely injured at all, to get an NHS or social services chair. “Moderate” injury puts you in no man’s land! I’ve managed to sweet talk the Red Cross into another short term loan chair and I’m buying a reconditioned one from them, which I’ll then donate to a charity when I’m done with it. I’ve donated to the Red Cross too.
Like many things in life, it’s only when you see stuff like this up,close you realise just how f
ked up and disorganised it can all be, while at the same time being really good in a crisis (I’ve still not had any recent visits from the district nurses, despite me being referred again by the hospital and my GP, as well as me speaking to them directly. Utterly baffling and useless in equal measure - the system, not the people, as I had two visits after my first surgery and they were both really good). I’ve no idea how people living on their own or without family/friends to help actually cope.
WinstonWolf said:
There are actually mole grip marks on the end of that nail. That and a hammer is how they get it out 
The consultant said she was very impressed with the strength of my bones and the “breaking” bit, which would normally take them half an hour or so actually took nearer an hour and three quarters... it’s nice to know I’m made of string stuff, but worrying that I actually managed to break my femur quite so spectacularly to start with!And yes, it is all very much “hammers and chisels”. Fancy, orthopaedic ones, but hammers and chisels nonetheless.
Dibble said:
WinstonWolf said:
There are actually mole grip marks on the end of that nail. That and a hammer is how they get it out
The consultant said she was very impressed with the strength of my bones and the “breaking” bit, which would normally take them half an hour or so actually took nearer an hour and three quarters... it’s nice to know I’m made of string stuff, but worrying that I actually managed to break my femur quite so spectacularly to start with!And yes, it is all very much “hammers and chisels”. Fancy, orthopaedic ones, but hammers and chisels nonetheless.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFLJmnI_aqs
WinstonWolf said:
Dibble said:
WinstonWolf said:
There are actually mole grip marks on the end of that nail. That and a hammer is how they get it out
The consultant said she was very impressed with the strength of my bones and the “breaking” bit, which would normally take them half an hour or so actually took nearer an hour and three quarters... it’s nice to know I’m made of string stuff, but worrying that I actually managed to break my femur quite so spectacularly to start with!And yes, it is all very much “hammers and chisels”. Fancy, orthopaedic ones, but hammers and chisels nonetheless.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFLJmnI_aqs
“My” consultant is easily 6’ 0” tall and looks like she’d be useful on the rugby pitch. I think she’s ideally suited to orthopaedic work.
As previously mentioned, she is also utterly bonkers! I think she’s fantastic and I’m so much happier now. That’s not to say previous orthopaedic surgeons weren’t any good, but she is in a league of her own. I can’t praise her enough. The “mechanics” of the “fixing me up” stuff must be similar across the board, but it’s her manner and how she treats me that gives me that extra confidence.
Dibble said:
WinstonWolf said:
Dibble said:
WinstonWolf said:
There are actually mole grip marks on the end of that nail. That and a hammer is how they get it out
The consultant said she was very impressed with the strength of my bones and the “breaking” bit, which would normally take them half an hour or so actually took nearer an hour and three quarters... it’s nice to know I’m made of string stuff, but worrying that I actually managed to break my femur quite so spectacularly to start with!And yes, it is all very much “hammers and chisels”. Fancy, orthopaedic ones, but hammers and chisels nonetheless.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFLJmnI_aqs
“My” consultant is easily 6’ 0” tall and looks like she’d be useful on the rugby pitch. I think she’s ideally suited to orthopaedic work.
As previously mentioned, she is also utterly bonkers! I think she’s fantastic and I’m so much happier now. That’s not to say previous orthopaedic surgeons weren’t any good, but she is in a league of her own. I can’t praise her enough. The “mechanics” of the “fixing me up” stuff must be similar across the board, but it’s her manner and how she treats me that gives me that extra confidence.
After a week or so of adjustment, I got practically no sleep last night and have been in a fair bit of pain today. On a scale of 1-10, I’d say it was a solid 7, when up until know, it’s been about a 4 at most, but really around a 3, tops. Luckily I was due to see the consultant for a follow up today.
First off, this picture is from the inside of my leg, looking out and up. Basically, if you imagine my right bk is the camera... this shows the misaligned bones and bent pin after the osteotomy, which explains why this was so painful. This is all sorted out now. The metal on the right are the original plates in my pelvis.
This one is a view from the front of my leg, looking backwards, right hip at the top, right knee out of shot at the bottom. The red marker is a measure, showing the 10.25mm of new bone growth so far since last Friday. The 3 pins at the top are fixed and the five underneath are the ones attached to the “floating” bit of bone, which is slowly working it’s way downwards, towards my knee.
The last one for now, again in the same orientation as the previous one, from the front of my right leg, looking backwards, with my right knee at the bottom. The more observant amongst you will notice a slight gap in the bone... this is where all the rubbish was removed. That gap is just a midge’s knacker under 10cm. You can also see one of the original pins is still in situ in my knee, which would create more problems by removing it, rather than just leaving it where it is.
What you should also be able to see is everything is now nicely lined up. There’s been a bit of tweaking of the fixator and screws today in clinic, just to get the last bits lined up properly, so we are now all good to keep going with the bone lengthening. It’s off to a good start with everything pretty much already aligned and growing how it should. They will keep an eye on things as it progresses. The pain overnight is just one of those things, due to some muscle spasms, so I’ve got yet more tablets to keep a lid on that. I’m going to be taking it easy for a couple of days with the lengthening but come Monday, we’ll be breaking out the Allen key again...
First off, this picture is from the inside of my leg, looking out and up. Basically, if you imagine my right b
k is the camera... this shows the misaligned bones and bent pin after the osteotomy, which explains why this was so painful. This is all sorted out now. The metal on the right are the original plates in my pelvis.This one is a view from the front of my leg, looking backwards, right hip at the top, right knee out of shot at the bottom. The red marker is a measure, showing the 10.25mm of new bone growth so far since last Friday. The 3 pins at the top are fixed and the five underneath are the ones attached to the “floating” bit of bone, which is slowly working it’s way downwards, towards my knee.
The last one for now, again in the same orientation as the previous one, from the front of my right leg, looking backwards, with my right knee at the bottom. The more observant amongst you will notice a slight gap in the bone... this is where all the rubbish was removed. That gap is just a midge’s knacker under 10cm. You can also see one of the original pins is still in situ in my knee, which would create more problems by removing it, rather than just leaving it where it is.
What you should also be able to see is everything is now nicely lined up. There’s been a bit of tweaking of the fixator and screws today in clinic, just to get the last bits lined up properly, so we are now all good to keep going with the bone lengthening. It’s off to a good start with everything pretty much already aligned and growing how it should. They will keep an eye on things as it progresses. The pain overnight is just one of those things, due to some muscle spasms, so I’ve got yet more tablets to keep a lid on that. I’m going to be taking it easy for a couple of days with the lengthening but come Monday, we’ll be breaking out the Allen key again...
Wow mate, that is a proper gap you have there!!! Amazed at the amount of bone growth already happening, and all the metalwork looks nicely aligned now!! As for the pain, I can't begin to imagine how bad that is, all I can say is to focus on the end result, keep taking the meds and remember, we may not post all the time but we are all here for you and rooting for you!!!!! Chris
Dibble said:
WinstonWolf said:
Dibble said:
WinstonWolf said:
There are actually mole grip marks on the end of that nail. That and a hammer is how they get it out
The consultant said she was very impressed with the strength of my bones and the “breaking” bit, which would normally take them half an hour or so actually took nearer an hour and three quarters... it’s nice to know I’m made of string stuff, but worrying that I actually managed to break my femur quite so spectacularly to start with!And yes, it is all very much “hammers and chisels”. Fancy, orthopaedic ones, but hammers and chisels nonetheless.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFLJmnI_aqs
“My” consultant is easily 6’ 0” tall and looks like she’d be useful on the rugby pitch. I think she’s ideally suited to orthopaedic work.
t out of his leg while smacking the metal in.2ndclasscitizen said:
Dibble said:
WinstonWolf said:
Dibble said:
WinstonWolf said:
There are actually mole grip marks on the end of that nail. That and a hammer is how they get it out
The consultant said she was very impressed with the strength of my bones and the “breaking” bit, which would normally take them half an hour or so actually took nearer an hour and three quarters... it’s nice to know I’m made of string stuff, but worrying that I actually managed to break my femur quite so spectacularly to start with!And yes, it is all very much “hammers and chisels”. Fancy, orthopaedic ones, but hammers and chisels nonetheless.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFLJmnI_aqs
“My” consultant is easily 6’ 0” tall and looks like she’d be useful on the rugby pitch. I think she’s ideally suited to orthopaedic work.
t out of his leg while smacking the metal in.By the time we’re done, my right leg is going to be quite the scar “catalogue”! Back up to two adjustments a day now, physio this afternoon and hoping to get to three adjustments by the end of the week. I reckon I can see about a centimetre now on the fixator from where I marked it at the start to where it is right now.
DuraAce said:
Stick with it.... I know someone a very similar injury.... Almost 2 years have passed and he's now sorted and back to full mobility after almost 10cms of growth.
Stick with the physio and do as much as you can to keep the rest of you fit/mobile
Cheers. I would’ve been a bit further on had I been referred sooner, but no use crying over spilt milk, as they say. If I thought like that too much, I’d never have had a bike, because then I’d never have had the off so wouldn’t have been injured in the first place.Stick with the physio and do as much as you can to keep the rest of you fit/mobile
Physio at 2pm today, so collection is about 1145 onwards. Just getting “showered” over the edge of the bath is quite the workout! Balancing mostly on my good leg and washing/rinsing with a combo of shower house, “scrubby net thing” and “rinsing” with a flannel leaves me sweatier when I’ve finished than when I started!
I do really feel like I’ve turned the corner. I’ve a couple more surgeries to come to properly fuse the bone at the “knee end” once the gap is closed, but that is a few months away yet and I’m less hung up on a fixed date for that. It will happen when the time is right.
The good thing is my appetite is pretty small at the moment and I’m practically tee total, so one benefit is I’m keeping the weight off. I can’t just nip out to the shop and cooking is a bit tricky, so my girlfriend is doing most of the catering, with the added benefit there that My diet is actually pretty healthy, with lots of fruit and veg!
Once again, I do really appreciate everyone’s good wishes on BB. You guys will never know just quite how much you’ve helped me keep (mostly) sane and keep my general mood up. I’m really grateful for everyone chipping in, even when you are taking the piss! That actually helps me personally a lot more than “there, there”. I’m loving seeing the various build threads and while a bit jealous, seeing everyone’s photos of trips and just day to day bikey goodness is brilliant too, so keep it coming.
I haven't posted before but often read your posts, see your progress and its great to see how positive you are keeping and probably rightly so.
I had some pretty serious bike RCA related head injuries many years ago, ended up with a four post external fixator of jaw into temples etc and my jaw wired. Of course my first visitors into ICU brought me Guinness (good for the bones) and a large bag of chewing toffee - lol - its things like that that keep you going - plus of course your loved ones who take care of you and make allowances. I also ended up with a detached retina and remember my surgeon telling me that the human body was such a wonderful thing in being able to self repair after they had done their bit. He was right and I have no real after effects other than less than perfect vision in one eye.
It was big step to get back on a bike and I had a lot peer pressure not to but I'm glad I chased away the demons and got back on two wheels. And yes I ride an R1 now when it was a motocrosser I crashed.
My brother, a non biking truck driver at the time was one of my harshest critics but several years later he had a really bad RTA in his truck breaking his pelvis, femur, wrist and being resusitated twice on the way to hospital. Once he was back on his feet I introduced him to bikes and within a week he had booked his test and has ridden ever since.
I just want to wish you the best and say keep posting - every day is day closer to normality and i can guess that's probably what we all take for granted and what you miss at the moment!
Keep up the great work Dibs.
I had some pretty serious bike RCA related head injuries many years ago, ended up with a four post external fixator of jaw into temples etc and my jaw wired. Of course my first visitors into ICU brought me Guinness (good for the bones) and a large bag of chewing toffee - lol - its things like that that keep you going - plus of course your loved ones who take care of you and make allowances. I also ended up with a detached retina and remember my surgeon telling me that the human body was such a wonderful thing in being able to self repair after they had done their bit. He was right and I have no real after effects other than less than perfect vision in one eye.
It was big step to get back on a bike and I had a lot peer pressure not to but I'm glad I chased away the demons and got back on two wheels. And yes I ride an R1 now when it was a motocrosser I crashed.
My brother, a non biking truck driver at the time was one of my harshest critics but several years later he had a really bad RTA in his truck breaking his pelvis, femur, wrist and being resusitated twice on the way to hospital. Once he was back on his feet I introduced him to bikes and within a week he had booked his test and has ridden ever since.
I just want to wish you the best and say keep posting - every day is day closer to normality and i can guess that's probably what we all take for granted and what you miss at the moment!
Keep up the great work Dibs.
psychoR1 said:
I haven't posted before but often read your posts, see your progress and its great to see how positive you are keeping and probably rightly so.
I had some pretty serious bike RCA related head injuries many years ago, ended up with a four post external fixator of jaw into temples etc and my jaw wired. Of course my first visitors into ICU brought me Guinness (good for the bones) and a large bag of chewing toffee - lol - its things like that that keep you going - plus of course your loved ones who take care of you and make allowances. I also ended up with a detached retina and remember my surgeon telling me that the human body was such a wonderful thing in being able to self repair after they had done their bit. He was right and I have no real after effects other than less than perfect vision in one eye.
It was big step to get back on a bike and I had a lot peer pressure not to but I'm glad I chased away the demons and got back on two wheels. And yes I ride an R1 now when it was a motocrosser I crashed.
My brother, a non biking truck driver at the time was one of my harshest critics but several years later he had a really bad RTA in his truck breaking his pelvis, femur, wrist and being resusitated twice on the way to hospital. Once he was back on his feet I introduced him to bikes and within a week he had booked his test and has ridden ever since.
I just want to wish you the best and say keep posting - every day is day closer to normality and i can guess that's probably what we all take for granted and what you miss at the moment!
Keep up the great work Dibs.
Cheers mate. Sorry for the delay replying, I somehow missed your addition to the thread and I’ve had (for me) a busy week. Tuesday was physio, which was really hard work! Wednesday I was in work giving a presentation on PTSD and Thursday I was just knackered after Wednesday, so spent most of it asleep.I had some pretty serious bike RCA related head injuries many years ago, ended up with a four post external fixator of jaw into temples etc and my jaw wired. Of course my first visitors into ICU brought me Guinness (good for the bones) and a large bag of chewing toffee - lol - its things like that that keep you going - plus of course your loved ones who take care of you and make allowances. I also ended up with a detached retina and remember my surgeon telling me that the human body was such a wonderful thing in being able to self repair after they had done their bit. He was right and I have no real after effects other than less than perfect vision in one eye.
It was big step to get back on a bike and I had a lot peer pressure not to but I'm glad I chased away the demons and got back on two wheels. And yes I ride an R1 now when it was a motocrosser I crashed.
My brother, a non biking truck driver at the time was one of my harshest critics but several years later he had a really bad RTA in his truck breaking his pelvis, femur, wrist and being resusitated twice on the way to hospital. Once he was back on his feet I introduced him to bikes and within a week he had booked his test and has ridden ever since.
I just want to wish you the best and say keep posting - every day is day closer to normality and i can guess that's probably what we all take for granted and what you miss at the moment!
Keep up the great work Dibs.
Things are still going ok, managed to drop back down on the pain meds a fair bit, still only half a millimetre I. Total of adjustment per day but going to be upping that to three quarters as from today.
I’m not on the home straight yet, but I’m in the taxi on the way to the stadium and I can see the floodlights if I stretch!
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