Just been advised to give up MTB

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Just been advised to give up MTB

37 posts & 31 voices | Started 1 year ago by peterfile | Latest reply from kimbers

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peterfile - Member

I'm currently injured (fractured shoulder, clavicle and 3 ribs + costochondral separation) after a crash about 4 weeks ago.

Things seemed to be healing nicely, but I've still got considerable discomfort around my chest and I struggle to take in a deep breath.

I've had costochondral separation (basically ripping your ribs free by tearing the cartilage) 3 times in the last 18 months.

If you've ever had it, you'll know how painful it is. Takes far longer than a facture to heal and is worsened by things like breathing.

Doctor told me today that it's getting easier and easier to tear my cartilage, and that I should be avoiding any sports where I'm likely to injure it again, including MTB

The thing is, the first two times I did it were completely accidental (falling onto the guard rail on a boat and falling onto a table in my house).

I'm off to see a sports specialist next week for a 2nd opinion, but it's really knocked the wind out of my sails.

Has anyone had costochondral separation multiple times? I would have thought it was fairly common in sports like rugby?

I'm half tempted just to ignore them and carry on regardless, but I'm only 30 and don't really want 50 years of breathing problems by being reckless now.

Posted 1 year ago #
racing_ralph - Member

body armour?

Posted 1 year ago #
molgrips - Member

You could maybe knock it on the head for a year or so whislt doing as many strengthening exercises as possible?

There are tons of stories about people being told not to do things by a GP or non-sporty specialist then figuring out how to fix the problem and get back on with whatever it was.

Posted 1 year ago #
BoardinBob - Member

The thing is, the first two times I did it were completely accidental (falling onto the guard rail on a boat and falling onto a table in my house).

Stop being so clumsy

Posted 1 year ago #
peterfile - Member

body armour?

i suggested that, but both the doctor and orthopaedic surgeon said that the actual force required to separate is quite low, so any significant fall could dislodge the ribs.

Posted 1 year ago #
Rorschach - Member

I'd be more worried by your poor co-ordination...you should give up walking let alone riding
Now go buy a nice shiney road bike.

Posted 1 year ago #
TurnerGuy - Member

XC only...

Posted 1 year ago #
bruneep - Member

The thing is, the first two times I did it were completely accidental (falling onto the guard rail on a boat and falling onto a table in my house).

Pi$$ed?

Posted 1 year ago #
buzz-lightyear - Member

Buy a flash road bike and ride that for a year. Let your wounds heal.

Posted 1 year ago #
Stuey01 - Member

+1 for road bike

Posted 1 year ago #
Surrounded By Zulus - Member

I'd be wondering what was causing you to fall over.

Is it not just human nature that says if someone tells you not to do something you just go ahead and do it.

Posted 1 year ago #
sam_underhill - Member

Where do you live? if it's in the SE I can recommend a very good chiro and sport injury specialist who a) understands that you are going to carry on doing stuff despite anything you are told and b) is massively into cycling so really does "get it".

Posted 1 year ago #
crotchrocket - Member

Chest plate and core exercises?
Learn to fall better?
Ignore the snake oil peddaler and make medical history!

Crotchrocket. Still riding after fractured c5, t4 and sternum. Advised to stop all sport.
(forget that)

Posted 1 year ago #
TheBrick - Member

There are tons of stories about people being told not to do things by a GP or non-sporty specialist then figuring out how to fix the problem and get back on with whatever it was.

I expect Matt Hoffman was told to give up BMX a few times.

Specialist is the way forward, but it may take a long time to heal and mean you have to be very careful for a year or so. Worth a go you have nothing to loose by trying some tailored recovery / fitness regime .

Posted 1 year ago #
chiefgrooveguru - Member

Ride much more within your limits? I'm recovering from a nasty broken ankle and am now trying to ride with zen smoothness rather than rad gnarr - much less adrenalin but quite satisfying all the same.

You could maybe knock it on the head for a year or so whislt doing as many strengthening exercises as possible?

This seems wise.

Posted 1 year ago #
Herman Shake - Member

It's all relative, it appears that it would be more accurate to stay away from boats and tables. Only one of those is easy to do.

I reckon road it up while the major healing occurs then get back on the mtb when you can. If you only ever have minor scrapes from XC, then take it easy and keep it up. If you're a DH sacrificial bone breaker then ease up on the hazards.

Triple or compact double?

Posted 1 year ago #
tang - Member

I'm in a similarish situation, 4 serious car accidents in my childhood and early 20's has left me with problems around rib/back/shoulder. The main problem is cartilage and ribs, every time I ride I get terrible pain after(thought ive been having a heart attack! or another collapsed lung) the ride and sometimes during(if its a loger one or techy). Back to the docs again next week, last chance, if I dont get this sorted I'm hanging up the wheels after 25 years of mtb, and im ony 36. Feeling really down about it atm, cycling is my main thing that keeps me sane. Keep us posted!

Posted 1 year ago #
brassneck - Member

I'm all for second opinions, but it wouldn't be here I'd go for one on my health.

Posted 1 year ago #
peterfile - Member

I'd be wondering what was causing you to fall over.

Just to clarify:

1st time: was on a small boat in pitch black in really rough sea, slipped and fell onto the rail.

2nd time: tripped over a cable and although I got my arm out to break my fall, it slid over the surface of the table and i took the full force of the edge into my side

3rd time: front wheel washed out on my bike, shoulder took most of the force, but my arm was tucked up against my side and it crushed my ribs.

I'm not really doing anything crazy, it's just that it's easier to separate the more you do it. So it doesn't seem to be taking much these days.

Thanks for the comments. I agree that some sort of strengthing of my core muscles would surely help, and I'm already looking for some armour that will cover the sensitive area (i must be able to reduce the force a bit?).

I'm hoping the sports guy will be more optomistic that the other doctors.

Posted 1 year ago #
peterfile - Member

I'm all for second opinions, but it wouldn't be here I'd go for one on my health.

wasn't really asking for a 2nd opinion from STWers, I already said in my first post I was going to see a sports specialist for a 2nd opinion.

Just keen to see if anyone had been in a similar situation and how it has affected them.

Posted 1 year ago #
peterfile - Member

The main problem is cartilage and ribs, every time I ride I get terrible pain after(thought ive been having a heart attack! or another collapsed lung) the ride and sometimes during(if its a loger one or techy). Back to the docs again next week, last chance,

Have they suggested surgery to you?

The doctor today said that a cartilage graft might be necessary if it doesn't heal in future, but i'm not sure whether that is just to bodge it, or whether it would actually make it more robust than it is now.

Posted 1 year ago #
GrunkaLunka - Member

Thing is you could quite easily injure it again by tripping off the kerb or by being in an accident that's not your fault, so why not just weigh up whether you like mountain biking enough to justify the risk of injuring it while you're doing something you enjoy? (I realise that's an easier question to ask than to answer..!)

Posted 1 year ago #
damo2576 - Member

Posted 1 year ago #
DIS - Member

I guess statistically you only injuried it 1 at of 3 on a bike so even if you gave up the bike you are still likely to re-injure it. Mayby you should spend more time on the bike to avoid falling over when on your feet:wink:

But on a more serious note i would go for building up your core and upper body strength. With resistants training its not just your muscles that strengthen but also the tendons and ligaments which would help to fortify the area against further injury. Plus Might take a good 6 months to strengthen the area but don't see why you would need to give it up.

Posted 1 year ago #
xiphon - Member

I have broken numerous bones, torn far too many ligaments, and have metal holding my right ankle together.

All because of riding.

Not going to give it up for a LONG time.

Posted 1 year ago #
piha - Member

Posted 1 year ago #
nicolaisam - Member

Did mine once,about 6 years ago,was in agony,did a few more things to my body at the same time.
It took months to get better,I thought i had broken my ribs,but the x-rays said i hadnt,this is when they told me i had the same as you,It is very painfull,but does get better in time.
I did mine on a 6ft wooden drop,was a slow drop and i went to wheelie drop and the rear wheel span on the wood,i nose dived off and basically folded myself in half on landing,i felt something in my rib cage letting go.It was painfull enough to put tears in my eyes.and hurts to cough and breath,just make sure you dont sneeze,Its not good and very painfull.

Posted 1 year ago #
TandemJeremy - Member

What you need to do is give up falling off not give up riding. Get your second opinion from a sports specialist by all means but I would have to be unable to get on a bike to give it up

Posted 1 year ago #
Northwind - Member

My consultant would prefer I never left the house again, I think... He was not delighted to hear I was getting back on the motorbike, but his eyes almost came out of his head when I mentioned taking up mountain biking... He's expressed a general desire that if I do break myself again, I find another surgeon Perhaps I should send him some racing pics, that'd make his day.

But it's a personal thing of course. With me, the bad leg's always going to be vulnerable and the osteoperosis is just not very compatible with crashing... But the way I see it is that I'm weighing up the risk of crippling myself, against a lifetime of living like I'm already crippled. And **** that.

Posted 1 year ago #
Mental Mickey - Member

Just ride some small roots on a 6'' travel bike.

Posted 1 year ago #
TurnerGuy - Member

I bruise my costochondral area very easily when I fall - I basically weakened my back through of practise with a flawed golf swing.

Regular use of one of these keeps your back nicely straight - well worth the money:

http://www.backstretcher.com/en/products/backstretcher

only go to a Chiro if you have loads of money to burn, otherwise go to an osteopath...

Posted 1 year ago #
MrSynthpop - Member

Have had similar damage once about five years ago (did it tripping while moving a heavy object - the leverage tore the cartilege) - felt like a heart attack it hurt so damn much. Not really a problem any more but have to stretch every so often as it gets achey down my side.

I did a lot of core exercises (still do some) and wore a 661 coresaver for a while when doing any riding as it gives a bit of protection without being a full pressure suit. Would hate to have done it more than once however as I can see how it could get progressively worse.

Ultimately its your call but it may be worth seeing if a combination of conditioning, compression tops and body armour will decrease your chances of injury any.

If you go down the armour route you will of course have to put up with the singletrack gnartrolls laughing at you for being overdressed!

Posted 1 year ago #
Marmoset - Member

Sorry for the slight Hijack but how long does the pain last for - I swear I'm having a heart attack every 5 minutes at the moment (clearly not though) but it does feel like a sudden shooting pain in the rib cage around the sternum and heart area. It sounds like I may have what you describe, albeit to a lesser extent - I did fracture a few ribs last year and felt as though I tweaked something when fixing my car a week ago.

Posted 1 year ago #
juiced - Member

well worth a second opion and some serious research / advice. I used to have a gp who was a cycling fan and he was cool. Seen a couple of medical types who really do not like anyone having fun though, too. They seem to answer every question about excercise with ... swimming... swimming... etc which is fine if you like swimming i suppose and can actually get to a pool during the week before they close.Hope you make some progress soon and take one day at a time.

Posted 1 year ago #
winterfold - Member

Statistically, you should be spending MORE time riding as you are 50% less likely to get that injury again, compared to normal life.

I am reasonably certain that analysis wil not bear scrutiny - hope you get well soon and in the meantiime a road bike is a good alternative - although when you go down on a roady you do go down hard.

Posted 1 year ago #