The totally incorrect way to get off a bike (volumes 1 and 2)

First topic message reminder :

I was hoping to never have to post this, but I had an unscheduled dismount on Monday making this my first biking accident. :(

Not sure exactly what happened which is making it even more frustrating for me. I didn’t have my video recorder with me, so can’t review that, but do have the SatNav track (time, distances and speed).

I was in Tonbridge, Kent an hour into my ride - had just turned left through a light controlled junction, accelerated up to 28 mph; could see a car parked on the pavement (boot open and the driver walking about) and there was a car in front of me, I slow down to 19 mph. Now the bits I have little or no recollection, I have no idea why I don’t seem realise the car is slowing right down and actually came to a halt. I don’t see any indicator just a brake light which suddenly came on. The log shows I was doing 0.8 mph when I touched the car bumper.
I hear a loud bang as my helmet and shoulder protector hit the road, boy did I hit the deck hard. I can hear the bike engine still running but can’t immediately stand up. Don’t know if my leg was pinned under the bike, but I have no pain or marks on my legs or leathers. The guy parked on the pavement comes over and helps me pick the bike up, I see the red (oil) light on and can smell petrol – I think I hit the kill switch, but maybe the still in gear engine died when the ‘spinning’ back wheel touched the ground.

So it was a slow speed bump, so not much damage right? Well the car bumper has a mark on it possibly from the tyre or the mudguard which can be rubbed out, the bike has a broken mudguard and some scratches on the fairing and the engine cover, a slight mark on the exhaust, the indicator popped out, but I think that is back in place and the mirror has pushed in on the ball joint but not broken. My leathers and boots are unmarked, but my lid has a bit of the paint missing and part of the shell is exposed. My shoulder protector either saved me from more serious damage or was the cause of my injury, but for now all I know is my shoulder is a bit sore and don’t feel that good when moving it about and am becoming aware that my left thumb is sore. I don't know if the fork's rebounded giving my thumb a good 'kick' and maybe had something to do with me hitting the ground so hard.

I ride the 30 miles home, bike rides fine – I’m OK as long as I don’t hit a bump. Decided that I’d go straight to A&E near home -this is no easy decision- the place has a horrendous reputation and the nick name given by healthcare professionals does not instil any confidence, May Die (its proper name is Mayday!) , but already started doubting my choice when I got off the bike. The adrenaline had begun to wear off and I was in some pain.

During my near 2 hour wait to be seen, I go to the loo and I discover I have no power in my right arm and my left thumb is extremely sore and near useless when I try and zip up. I could hardly walk back out into the waiting room with the zip down, nor could I casually ask anyone in there ‘mind helping me with my fly mate?’ Using both hands I get the zipper sorted, and go and sit down with tears in my eyes.

Eventually get seen and find I have dislocated my shoulder, they didn’t bother looking at my thumb. I have been given a bit of cloth which was tied around my neck and finished off with a safety pin, not sure if this little touch was to neaten up the mess or to stop my elbow from sliding out. Was told I can take whatever pain killers I have at home and come back in a few weeks when it is better so they can close the file. Arrgh, don’t know why I bothered.

Time to put the jacket back on and go home, I knew this was going to hurt, stood in the corner where no one would see me and ‘yanked’ it on, but I couldn’t do up the zip. Then I find I can’t lift my arm to put my helmet on, umm plan 2, put helmet face first on the saddle, hold with my left hand and push my head into it. Right glove goes on, but can’t get the left one on. I can’t let this beat me now, sod it one glove on one glove off, open jacket and unstrapped helmet, off I go –its only 2-3 miles home.
5 Hours after the incident I’m home and take the first painkillers.

I do hope this isn’t going to be like punctures. I went for 30 years without any then 3 in 4 years. I found I don’t bounce well and can hurt myself at less than 1mph, don’t want to imagine what it’d be like if I was going any faster.

Steve I'm concerned that you still can't use your shoulder it's either not been reduced properly or it's fractured. Have you had an x-ray?

If you've dislocated your shoulder and they've put it back in it should be nearly back to normal after.

Tell me to stop wittleing if you like :-)

Hope your on the mend chuck xx

I second Ellie's view. My dad's (was going to type old man) shoulder is popping out every few years. His always has movement straight away after getting it in. Its sore sure. If you cannot get both hands above your head then I'd get it checked again. Probably somewhere else that where you went.

Regards Rich.

ellie wrote:Steve I'm concerned that you still can't use your shoulder it's either not been reduced properly or it's fractured. Have you had an x-ray?

If you've dislocated your shoulder and they've put it back in it should be nearly back to normal after.

Tell me to stop wittleing if you like :-)

Hope your on the mend chuck xx

I did have an X-Ray, the 'doctor' asked how I was positioned when it was taken - I may have taken him the wrong way but he didn't instil any confidence in me. I had 2 X-rays, I'm sure he only looked at 1.

It was not reduced, he prodded about after the X-Ray and was waiting for my reaction - oh so the pain is gone he says.. Nope I was just trying not to be a big baby, in hindsight I may have had better treatment if I screamed the roof down.
I had a go at reducing it myself after looking at Wikipedia, I know it isn't right. I will call tomorrow and make an appointment to see the specialist, I'll be ready for the rude receptionist this time. I foolishly changed the appointment as it was made too soon - according to the 'doctor', will change it for asap.

You're not wittleing, I appreciate you telling me what to expect, a I've been utterly disgusted with the way it has been handled and I'm glad that this isn't normal.


I'll also look into the hospital plan I have, maybe I could go somewhere else - thanks

tcatcarson wrote:

put helmet face first on the saddle, hold with my left hand and push my head into it

made me smile, sorry!

Lee

Lee, I did try and make some of the story light hearted - thanks

Lay on your tummy with your shoulder over the bed and hold a heavy book, that sometimes does it lol. Otherwise it's the hipocratic method, foot in the armpit job which I know you can't do yourself lol. If you were closer I'd have a go lol.

Don't leave it Steve because if it's dislocated the longer you leave it the more nerve damage you'll have. Go to a decent A&E tonight chuck xxx

As above Steve, as a veteran of five dislocations of my left shoulder I sympathise with you as the pain is awful.
Don't take no for an answer off the hospital as the pain relief is instant as soon as it is popped back in.
I eventually opted for an operation on mine as it was becoming a nuisance.
Let us know how you get on please as I fear the longer its left the more issues you may have getting back in the saddle.

Hi Steve, well I'm glad you are on the mend - or are you ? Hard to work out ! Still at least you didn't do any major damage to yourself - that's the main thing . And as for the bike , well a bike is just a bike . Catch up with you after TOL

robertcains wrote: I fear the longer its left the more issues you may have getting back in the saddle.

Amazing how I got over my dislike of buses and A&E reading that! Took the advice and went back last night, a few hours of waiting did make me wonder if I had actually done the right thing.

Was seen around 2am, so maybe not the best time to be cordial. Fortunately I could engage with this doctor and have a meaningful discussion, and see where it has gone wrong.
The X-Ray taken on Monday shows the shoulder is in place as it should be, I had a bit of a walk between the Dr and the X-Ray Dept and part the way there I stopped and moved my arm to reduce the pain. However by the time I got home it was definitely out, no need for a X-Ray you could see it.
She did some checks - just as well I have two shoulders, came in useful for comparison - and decided it was still in place and didn't think another X-Ray was needed.

I was then given a bollocking for not wearing my sling, was asked which type I'd been given (sounds like they have some posh ones too). I don't think my reply of 'the one you got from RagLand' went down very well.
Have been given another sling (same model) and an almost sarcastic instruction that I can undo the knot if the fit isn't right!! I can wear it now without the pain being unbearable like it was till Wednesday

Not sure how I missed this. Sorry to hear you have joined quite a few us on here with incidents this year.
Glad you are on the mend & the red beast is not bad.
Hope you are ok for s&t mate.

Paul

Apologies from me too for not seeing this sooner.

I really hope you get the shoulder and thumb sorted quickly. That hospital sounds the pits. I must make a note not to fall off if I ever come down your way on the bike!

Bob

Went to see the specialist (registrar/consultant) today, more X-Rays and arm movements.

Seems it wasn't dislocated but separated, the medical term is ACJ Disruption. In my case a bone out of joint, something to do with the collar bone.

Have been given yet another sling, but this one is quite the business. So right arm is trussed up and will be for a month :( Then they review it for another possible 2 months. I was taken through the various stages during which it ought to heal, if all fails then I can look forward to reconstructive shoulder surgery (charming).

One thing in my favour is I'm not young and athletic otherwise they may have considered an operation a lot sooner.

So I guess bad news for me is I can only expect to be able to get back on a bike when it is icy

Acromio-clavicular joint subluxation which is the joint between the collar bone and the scapula if my A&P memory serves me correctly lol


Look after yourself Steve, I hope they sort it for you in the quickest time poss xxxxxx

That's a bummer Steve , tbh I don't think you are missing much riding at the moment with this pissy weather , and at at least you got to ride in the "summer" months .And if it were me I'd prefer not to be able to ride the bike in the winter - so at least you will be properly healed well before next summer.

Ditto Steve.

It seems, at long and painful last, that thinks are heading in the right direction.

Stay safe and get well soon.

Rich.

Steve - glad to hear that at least you now know what the damage is and how to fix it. Use that new sling well and hope to meet up soon.

Billy

billyw wrote: Use that new sling well

I got quite good mileage out the 'old' rag one at Tesco and on the buses & trams. The new one, in midnight blue, just screams get outa my way this is serious Ah, such power. I'd much prefer not having to have it tbh.

Thanks

How u doing steve on the mend?

Paul.

A little I think thanks Paul. Since Saturday I haven't been in as much pain and have been able to reduce some of the tabs. Still wakes me at night though.

Not well enough to even look at the bikes yet, the lovely weather this last weekend only rubbed it in more :( Much more of this and I'll have to take the batteries out and put 'em on charge.

Been having some unpleasant spells which could be side effects, have a follow up appointment on the 4th, but could well be back at the hospital for other tests before then.

Well i hope you mend soon & completely steve. Keep us posted on the progress.

Paul.

Hope you are feeling better soon Steve

That's crap Steve, hope your soon better and the NHS sort you out


Ellie xx

I also hope that the NHS can sort me out Ellie, I've been under pressure from some quarters to go private. What I'm battling to work out is if its one of those things that just needs time to mend on its own, or if I'm just on a very slow moving conveyor belt and potentially causing more damage waiting.
Don't suppose there's any harm me giving my pvt health ins company a call and see what they say - they were very good with the pain control program.

My DIY internet research is dangerous, I felt it was a grade 2 or 3 injury, but the picture depicting grade 5 looks more like my situation. It looks like I've done a proper job of this one

I know if I was in a previous life with medical aid a panel of specialists would have all had a go at me and possibly have been in theater by now. It might not have been the best approach, but a financially rewarding one for them.

Been back for my next appointment. Took them a while to 'find' me on the system, I was only misfiled not written off

Well the healing isn't going as well as hoped :( still a lot of instability, I can however move my arm up higher than before. I've been off the painkillers for about 10 days now, so at least that's a result. The sling won't be providing much support for me anymore, so it's up to me if I want to wear it or not

Next is physio, maybe in a week or two will start that. Unless something awful happens my next 'assessment' is in 2 months. If by then time and physio haven't worked, then it's reconstructive surgery

Asked when could I expect to back on the bike again. He can't tell me 'You'll know when its right, but I wouldn't think for a while yet'. We joked about going slow when I do get back on, I assured him I would be taking it easy, but going slowly is what got me into this mess in the first place.

Sorry to hear that it's not been plain sailing Steve. Only consolation is that winter's coming (well at least it is up here) and should give you time to get sorted for the spring.
Hope the physio goes well and you can stick to it, I know I have always found it tough going.
Cheers
Billy

Two bottles required - baby oil for Pam to rub from the outside in and Captain Morgan for you to rub from the inside out.

Just keep improving and keeping it elbow over 4r5e and you'll be fine.

Get well soon.
Ross

Just back from London seeing a private specialist.

Well I have done a very good job of it and have managed to achieve a grade 5 injury, that would usually mean 'follow me down to theatre'. My chances of a normal recovery have slipped from 80% to 50% or less :(

He ruled out physio being of any help, actually thinks it would cause more harm. I should rather let it try and sort itself out and maybe, just maybe it'll heal otherwise it is a case of what I'm prepared to live with - when I've had enough, just give him a call

Apparently I shouldn't have tried to do too much, like ride the bike for 8 weeks. He was very surprised I managed an hours' ride (didn't tell him about the 1 1/2 first trip!). I further surprised him when leaving by swinging my rucksack over my affected shoulder, mind you I've only been able to do that for the last few days, oh and I ought to avoid press ups - - oops .

Well this guy can talk from experience, he has separated both of his shoulders one playing rugby and the other skiing! Had a look at my left thumb, yip, have sprained it

I think what has saddened me most about all of this is at the time 3 doctors (one being my GP) either missed or actively dismissed my being concussed. It is too late for an MRI scan now, not there's much between the ears anyway. I seemed to have recovered from that nasty period OK though

The real concern is endurance, I may have to say goodbye to the longer rides :( . So far I'm doing things I ought not, lets hope it keeps up (why does that sound wrong somehow)