Radial head fracture - recovery/rides?

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Riding after a radial head fracture- any experiences? How long after did you ride on road then off road?

Its two weeks, two days since the fall. Obviously road first and I wouldn't ride drops.

Looking to go tech off road, week 5...

[Ares]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

Riding after a radial head fracture- any experiences? How long after did you ride on road then off road?

Its two weeks, two days since the fall. Obviously road first and I wouldn't ride drops.

Looking to go tech off road, week 5...

I've not but a GP friend did his. He didn't go out until 10 weeks, and really wanted to wait 12. He was in a sling for 3 weeks, but happily sat on a turbo within a fortnight.

I'd be wary about being out much sooner, breaks usually take 8-12 weeks to heal, longer to be fully up to strength.

[nammynake]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

Riding after a radial head fracture- any experiences? How long after did you ride on road then off road?

Its two weeks, two days since the fall. Obviously road first and I wouldn't ride drops.

Looking to go tech off road, week 5...

I’m stating the obvious but have you asked for professional medical guidance? I wouldn’t rely on advice from a forum when it comes to health, especially when it comes to injuries and proper recovery

[Hugo Stiglitz]

I was told sling off in first two weeks. Drive 2-3 weeks and cycle in new year.

I went back 16days in and they said you might have scafoid fracture as well but we can't be sure so we will plaster it for 6 weeks just to be sure. Hang on. Maybe not but we will see you again next week.

I can't open bottles lids as my wrist kills when I do.




So medical advice?

[trails]

Broken the scaphoid on both sides, one side healed OK the other one didn't and I get all sorts of weird pains using a mouse, when driving hard or for long periods and occasionally riding too.

The side that gives me grief is because I didn't wait long enough for it to heal and ended up breaking that wrist three times in three months.

Wait as long as you can and seek x-ray confirmation it's healed; my advice based on experience.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

I'm lefthanded so use the mouse on the left (right injured) but when using the laptop raising my fingers to type hurts inside the hand. Yet the fracture unit says they can't see/can't be sure if there is a fracture or not!

Appointment due next Wednesday..

[trails]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

I'm lefthanded so use the mouse on the left (right injured) but when using the laptop raising my fingers to type hurts inside the hand. Yet the fracture unit says they can't see/can't be sure if there is a fracture or not!

Appointment due next Wednesday..

The consultant told me that scaphoid takes a very long time to heal, and often won't fully repair; most people don't notice and can live with that and it will cause them no issues…but activities like committed driving and BMX/MTB are likely to cause discomfort if it doesn't heal well an operation should be considered at that time.

Good luck with the clinic.

Edited by trails on Friday 18th December 13:18

[dogbucket]

I suffered a radial head fracture in June 2019 going over the bars on my MTB. Was a week before I got it checked as I thought it was just a sprain (whoops) but the fracture clinic said it was stable so no treatment needed. However they said it takes a long time to reach full strength (although it will never be 100%) as the fluid in the joint slows the new growth down to the point where if you xrayed it in a year the fracture would still be visible apparently.

I was advised 6 weeks before doing MTB, but in reality the ligament and soft tissue damage took a long time to heal. Over a year before I could ride aggressively without feeling the effects.

The exercises and stretches I was given were fine, but of course I figured the harder I work at them the quicker it will get better which was not the case. Any gains in movement quickly evaporated the next day as it tightened up again. If I had laid off the bikes for a while it may have healed quicker.

I have regained 99% range of movement. Hopefully if yours is just the bone it will heal up quickly.