How Ian Freeman is recovering from his cycling accident

Got this e-mail from Ian Freeman. He has been recovering from a cycle accident in Feb of 2009 and this is his story. I wish Ian all the best in his future riding and thank BBTA for permission to reprint this article.

Hi David,
have just had an email from BBTA to say that you can use my re-hab article. I hope that it is useful. After my accident, one major problem I found was that there was a dearth of info "out there", on rehabilitation. So hopefully this will help others in a similar position.

By Ian Freeman

This is a record of one rider's recovery from a fall. It is not a recommendation for any other rider's rehab.

I am a 71 year old recreational rider with some knowledge of physiology and healing processes due to many years of different sporting experiences and a Vet Science profession.

Decided to ride the 2009 Mt Coot-tha Challenge after riding it in 2008, so on Feb 2nd this year, starting from Indooroopilly, did my first training ascent. No problems over the Mountain but on the way home and only 500 metres from where we started, on the damp roundabout at the junction of Waverley Road and Taringa Parade, without any warning the tyres lost all grip, body hit road and instantly stopped. No slide to remove skin and dissipate energy, just a total stop. Road was contacted by knee, thigh, hip, chest, shoulder, right hand and helmet. Nearly totally winded and in quite some pain. Fortunately had a friend riding behind and the crash made some noise so three concerned residents came out to assist.

Initially unsure as to the seriousness and site of the worst injuries, I refused to be moved until I decided that my spine was OK. Then allowed two people to lift me to my feet and basically carry me off the road. Decided that either pelvis or upper femur was fractured (and some ribs), so ambulance called. They arrived in 20 minutes or so and thought that the damage was bruising to the hip area. Gave me a "Penthrox® Inhaler" for pain relief and I requested to be transported to the Wesley Emergency Centre.

X-rays showed a complete break of the neck of the right femur. As no beds were available stayed in Emergency for 9 hours. 35 hours after the accident a surgeon using a "Richards Pin and Plate" repaired the break. Discharged 5 days later and advised not to put any pressure onto the right foot for the next 5 weeks.
Rehabilitation has been a fascinating ongoing experience. In hospital, physiotherapists ensured mobility with crutches, up and down stairs was competent prior to discharge.

FIRST SHOCK: loss of fitness was fast and total. Merely getting to and from the shower was very tiring. Had to use a 'special seat' for the first week to use the shower and also for the toilet for about 6 weeks. For the first 2 weeks thought "poor me!" "It hurts" etc and then realised that some friends and relatives and many other cyclists who had received infinitely worse injuries, had recovered well and were back riding. So just concentrate, work consistently, don't be too impatient and do some research to find the best path to recovery. Managed with crutches to walk around one suburban block 3 weeks after surgery which was totally exhausting causing a retirement to bed.

Wanted to speed cardio rehab and get bike fit as soon as possible so needed to use an exercise bike (against medical advice). Had a cheap mag trainer but could not use as impossible to get right leg over the bikes top tube. Bought exercise bike, York Fitness Inspiration 100 ($150 sale price) and started using with left leg only (right foot on milk crate) at 3 weeks post surgery. By 5 weeks started letting right leg rotate on the exercise bike without using any right leg muscle. At 6 weeks started using a small amount of right leg effort with both legs working. New x-rays and surgeon visit confirm bone healing and no apparent problems. By 7 weeks added "right leg only" drills for 1 minute at the lowest resistance setting to the exercise program. By 9 weeks could do 4 suburban blocks on the crutches and 30 minutes on the exercise bike.

At 10 weeks started doing simulated climbing internals and hill repeats being stimulated by the wonderful series of articles in Bicycling Australia, issues No 152 - 156 "Training for the Alpine Classic" by Michael Hanslip. 11 weeks started discarding one crutch. At 12 weeks included rowing machine workouts. Decided that the exercise bike had done its job and bought a 'Kurt Kinetic Road Machine' (Fluid Magnetic Trainer) and set it up on a Trek 3700 finding immediately that this was rather harder than the exercise bike but great with the clipless pedals - better body position and much closer simulation to real bike riding. At 13 weeks new x-rays and surgeon visit confirm good bone healing and within reason can do "anything you wish excluding another fall or running a marathon" and am now only using one crutch as a safety prop. Walking ability still poor so began walking through the Sherwood Arboretum and over the top of Dewar Terrace at Francis's Lookout. Was having a problem maintaining interest while using the Fluid Trainer and tried one of the "Spinervals" DVD's and was so impressed that the whole set was purchased.

SECOND SHOCK: realised that not withstanding all the exercising, the right leg and right side of the body were not integrating correctly with the rest of me and some serious work had to be done to remedy the lack of core fitness and poor right leg balance, mobility and ability. After some research bought Matt Brindle's DVD "Cycling Power-Up", Functional Strength Training for Cyclists. This is a MUST HAVE. All cyclists, not just those doing rehab, in fact everyone should be doing these exercises and mobilisers. First ride on the road at 16 weeks - only 18 kms.

THIRD SHOCK: found that riding on the road was quite different to the trainer as the bike had to be steered; legs were quite wobbly when attempting to stand and accelerate or hill climb and the saddle was not as comfortable as I had remembered. A lot more bike trainer exercises and core exercises and hill walking needed to be done. First ride with a group at 19 weeks. This could have been earlier, however there was no need and the dangers of group riding were emphasised when it was realised that my reaction times and self preservation skills needed improvement.

FOURTH SHOCK: belatedly decided to check the helmet I was wearing when I crashed, only to find that although there were only minor grazes to the outside shell, the inner foam was fully split. Dumped it! No mental hangups re riding again but on a daughter's suggestion we cut two 18 mm thick, closed cell foam pads 16 x 14 cm and inserted inside the bike nicks over the hip joints. They stay there without any movement, are inconspicuous and would absorb a large amount of energy in a fall. Will probably never ride without them.

22 weeks first Mountain Bike Ride, mainly on the fire trails at Daisy Hill. Wonderful to be out on the road and the bush again.

FINAL SHOCK:    Total medical cost was over $16,000. Fortunately I had private medical cover !

The current program includes Matt Brindle's core exercises at 3 sessions/week, Spinervals/road riding 3/4 times a week, walking over the top of Dewar Terrace 3 times in a set twice/week and rowing machine twice/week.

My heartfelt thanks to all those Bicycle Queensland, Brisbane Bicycle Touring Association and Weary Wednesday Wanderer members who have provided so much encouragement and advice. The journey would have been much longer and infinitely more lonely and boring without all their participation. Again it must be stressed that any information above is my record only and is not intended to be advice for any other person.