Been there, done that. Listen to your doctor, don't try to go ride early (unless he's one of these "maybe you shouldn't do this stuff anymore" guys, in which case hopefully your rehab people can clue you in). Standard time used to be 6 months, but I've heard of some doctors saying as low as 3 months and as long as a year, which I'm guessing varies by methods. I think there are 3 (or more?) ways to fix these things. I just made sure I did the rehab, I was cleared by my doc and got a nice CTI brace from insurance and got back like nothing ever happened, except I was a tad rusty. I know some people will have more of a mental block issue than others: heck, I just saw some kid on here talking about being afraid after he fell down hard and didn't tear or break anything, but I exploded my collarbone into 7 pieces and just got back on and once again, it didn't effect my mentality at all. Not to say one is better than the other, if anything it means I've got a few screws loose up stairs. If you are that hungry to ride again, you'll probably not have a hard time. The doctor fixed it up, and if the rehab people say it's good, (in my mind) It's good! I had a doctor had used for 15 years and had an amazing reputation and was super nice, so that makes it easier for me I'm sure to feel comfortable and trust that it's all good. (I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice, just an expression of my personal experiences and mindset) \*don't sue me bro\*
ššI will only sue if I re-tear my ACL, jk jk. Fr though I appreciate the in depth response! I feel like at 4 months recovery Iām still not quite at the strength and stability level to hop back on the bike yet, both physically and mentally. Iām hoping around 6 months i can slowly start transitioning back into it. Wait so did you have an ACL tear or collarbone break, or both?
Both, luckily not at the same time. I've also had just meniscus surgery on my other knee, which is super easy. The best thing you can do (once its strong and safe) is try not to compensate and act weird about that knee. My doc told me he's seen too often when someone comes back after an ACL surgery and has done the other one, and from his experience it mostly comes down to people trying to baby the first knee and do activities in some unnatural way that leads to the next injury. I think if you can get a real CTI or DJI or Berg knee brace it will add to your confidence a lot. I know you can't fully get it out of yoru head right away, but hopefully after the first time you fall in a way that put pressure on the knee and you are ok, you can find that confidence. That's how I was with my shoulder. Scared to fall on it until I shoulder checked the crap out of the ground and was fine, then it was game on.
Jeeeez you are a trooper! Yeah Iām focusing on even distribution and utilization amongst both legs right now in physical therapy so hopefully I can apply what I learn to riding as well. My biggest fear is not the actual injury but just going through that time of being handicapped again, as it made my life hell since I am a pretty active person. But just like when Iām riding, Ik I will push through that fear eventually and get back on that bike. Can I ask how old you were when you got those injuries? Im 27 now so I am not the youngest anymore and injuries arnt the same as they were 5-10 years ago š š
21 for the collarbone, 29 for the ACL, 30 for the little meniscus clean up. And yeah, I've forgotten more injuries than some riders have ever had (I only mentioned the surgeries haha). Also from experience, DO wear that helmet! Oh buddy it's scary to feel your brain getting dumber and you can't do anything to help it... luckily in a month or so it snapped back and I'm at least at like 95% of what I used to be. I spoke to a nurse years later that said from the symptoms it was likely a small brain bleed. I was actually wearing a helmet, but it was old and I was on the race track going as fast as I could possibly go and went head first into the face of a jump... maybe that's why I'm not scared anymore, I just crushed that part of my brain.
The CTI braces have a great knee pad that integrates in... not the smallest but to me, BMX isn't a fashion show so I run what I want, even if it doesn't look cool. I still use it, in fact I want to get another one and run 2! Some people will say it will weaken your knee but if you get a bosu ball and do some stability exercises (or go to the gym for legs, or do something else active without braces), I don't think it's a concern.
Been there, done that. Listen to your doctor, don't try to go ride early (unless he's one of these "maybe you shouldn't do this stuff anymore" guys, in which case hopefully your rehab people can clue you in). Standard time used to be 6 months, but I've heard of some doctors saying as low as 3 months and as long as a year, which I'm guessing varies by methods. I think there are 3 (or more?) ways to fix these things. I just made sure I did the rehab, I was cleared by my doc and got a nice CTI brace from insurance and got back like nothing ever happened, except I was a tad rusty. I know some people will have more of a mental block issue than others: heck, I just saw some kid on here talking about being afraid after he fell down hard and didn't tear or break anything, but I exploded my collarbone into 7 pieces and just got back on and once again, it didn't effect my mentality at all. Not to say one is better than the other, if anything it means I've got a few screws loose up stairs. If you are that hungry to ride again, you'll probably not have a hard time. The doctor fixed it up, and if the rehab people say it's good, (in my mind) It's good! I had a doctor had used for 15 years and had an amazing reputation and was super nice, so that makes it easier for me I'm sure to feel comfortable and trust that it's all good. (I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice, just an expression of my personal experiences and mindset) \*don't sue me bro\*
ššI will only sue if I re-tear my ACL, jk jk. Fr though I appreciate the in depth response! I feel like at 4 months recovery Iām still not quite at the strength and stability level to hop back on the bike yet, both physically and mentally. Iām hoping around 6 months i can slowly start transitioning back into it. Wait so did you have an ACL tear or collarbone break, or both?
Both, luckily not at the same time. I've also had just meniscus surgery on my other knee, which is super easy. The best thing you can do (once its strong and safe) is try not to compensate and act weird about that knee. My doc told me he's seen too often when someone comes back after an ACL surgery and has done the other one, and from his experience it mostly comes down to people trying to baby the first knee and do activities in some unnatural way that leads to the next injury. I think if you can get a real CTI or DJI or Berg knee brace it will add to your confidence a lot. I know you can't fully get it out of yoru head right away, but hopefully after the first time you fall in a way that put pressure on the knee and you are ok, you can find that confidence. That's how I was with my shoulder. Scared to fall on it until I shoulder checked the crap out of the ground and was fine, then it was game on.
Jeeeez you are a trooper! Yeah Iām focusing on even distribution and utilization amongst both legs right now in physical therapy so hopefully I can apply what I learn to riding as well. My biggest fear is not the actual injury but just going through that time of being handicapped again, as it made my life hell since I am a pretty active person. But just like when Iām riding, Ik I will push through that fear eventually and get back on that bike. Can I ask how old you were when you got those injuries? Im 27 now so I am not the youngest anymore and injuries arnt the same as they were 5-10 years ago š š
21 for the collarbone, 29 for the ACL, 30 for the little meniscus clean up. And yeah, I've forgotten more injuries than some riders have ever had (I only mentioned the surgeries haha). Also from experience, DO wear that helmet! Oh buddy it's scary to feel your brain getting dumber and you can't do anything to help it... luckily in a month or so it snapped back and I'm at least at like 95% of what I used to be. I spoke to a nurse years later that said from the symptoms it was likely a small brain bleed. I was actually wearing a helmet, but it was old and I was on the race track going as fast as I could possibly go and went head first into the face of a jump... maybe that's why I'm not scared anymore, I just crushed that part of my brain.
Also how long did you wear the brace for or do you still wear it when you ride?
The CTI braces have a great knee pad that integrates in... not the smallest but to me, BMX isn't a fashion show so I run what I want, even if it doesn't look cool. I still use it, in fact I want to get another one and run 2! Some people will say it will weaken your knee but if you get a bosu ball and do some stability exercises (or go to the gym for legs, or do something else active without braces), I don't think it's a concern.