tigra 0 #26 December 27, 2004 PT was never really bad for me either, and I did have some ligament damage to work through. I'd be a little sore when I was done, but an ice pack took care of that usually! Maybe it depends on the therapist(s)- I didn't always get the same one at the place I went and some of them were a little tougher on me than others. One even massaged my ankle for most of the session, and I only got her once! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChadFlorian 0 #27 December 27, 2004 Quote I got the statement from my insurance company today - I owe ZERO bucks on the $12,000 hospital visit. So far the doctor's office has cost me a whopping $18.20. I was afraid it would cost much more. Whew! Mine was $20K for my 14 hour visit (surgery).. That didn't even include the surgeon, doctors, xrays, etc! INcredible! Does your insurance company know you did it skydiving? I've been purposefully vague when saying what happened in case there was any issue. I just say "I fell". I don't say that I fell 13,000 feet! But now I just got a form to fill out from a firm representing the insurance company wanting to know how, where, etc... So guess I'll have to divulge the details... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigra 0 #28 December 27, 2004 I got a letter like that also- from a law firm "representing" the insurance company and hoping there was someone to sue. I found it kind of offensive and it also made me a little paranoid so when I finally responded (since ignoring the letters wasn't working) I was very vague- along the lines of "I fell" and that was the end of it! But the doctors and nurses who treated me know exactly how I broke my leg, so I assume means the insurance company does as well, and my employer, who pays most of the cost of my insurance also knows! Anyway, as "official" as the letter looks, don't feel you have to divulge everything. They are just glorified ambulance chasers who probably have an agreement to get a "cut" out of anything they can recoup for the insurance company! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChadFlorian 0 #29 December 27, 2004 Yeah... I just figure no matter how vague I am, the location of the injury (z-hills) will give it away. I'm sure the DZ has it's ass covered with the million waivers I signed, but I'll be sure to give TK a heads up anyway. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dumpster 0 #30 December 27, 2004 I had no problems with the insurance company at all, and didn't make any attempt at being vague at at all. When the forms asked what happened, I just wrote in the I broke my ankle while skydiving. Easy Does It Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigra 0 #31 December 27, 2004 What Chad is talking about is a very official looking letter with a questionaire from a law firm claiming to represent the insurance company and asking for details of the accident. They are looking for someone to sue, and they are very persistent. They were so persistent that I just didn't feel comfortable telling them it was a skydiving accident. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChadFlorian 0 #32 December 27, 2004 The "Firm" in my case is Primax and it came in an envelope from my insurance company. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indyz 1 #33 December 27, 2004 QuoteWhat Chad is talking about is a very official looking letter with a questionaire from a law firm claiming to represent the insurance company and asking for details of the accident. They are looking for someone to sue, and they are very persistent. They were so persistent that I just didn't feel comfortable telling them it was a skydiving accident. In many cases it actually is legit. Insurance companies have a right to investigate fully any claim, and to attempt to recoup their loses in the event that they make a payment. I don't know anybody who complains when their car insurance company (or their car insurance company's legal representatives) investigates after they get in a wreck. This is the same situation. I don't think that there is anything wrong with an insurance company wanting to know exactly why they wrote that check, but I'm still afraid that someday I'll be hurt, make a hefty insurance claim, and my insurance company starts suing the DZ, gear manufacturers, riggers, and people on the skydive to make their money back. Even if I don't want them to sue I can't stop it, and it's my reputation that's going to be dragged through the mud. People aren't going to say, "Brian's insurance company sued X, Y, and Z even though he didn't want them to", they are going to say "Brian sued X, Y, and Z" . It's happened to at least one skydiver already. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fast 0 #34 December 27, 2004 QuoteI had no problems with the insurance company at all, and didn't make any attempt at being vague at at all. When the forms asked what happened, I just wrote in the I broke my ankle while skydiving. Heh my policy excludes skydiving, paragliding, and most other "dangerous things" from claims. Sucks~D Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me. Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #35 December 27, 2004 QuoteIn many cases it actually is legit. Insurance companies have a right to investigate fully any claim, and to attempt to recoup their loses in the event that they make a payment. Everytime i file a claim with my insurance, i get a form to fill out requesting information. Without that form filled out, my insurance doesn't pay my claims. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigra 0 #36 December 27, 2004 Well, I got the letter after I had been treated and most of the bills were paid. I had been very open with everyone who treated me, although I don't recall if anyone from the insurance company even asked. If they had, I wouldn't have concealed it, and I'm sure its a part of my medical records, which my insurance company has access to. It bothered me to get a letter (letters) from a third party asking for so many details when I had not attempted to conceal them to begin with, and I made the choice to be "vague" with them. Right or wrong, they stopped harrassing me! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dumpster 0 #37 December 27, 2004 If I weren't covered I'd be selling my gear and whole lot more to pay for this 'lil fuck-up! Easy Does It Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dumpster 0 #38 December 27, 2004 Come to think about it I've gotten questionares to fill out (when the kids would get injured at school, for instance,) about the nature of the accident, other involved, etc. Nothing threatening though, they were obviously looking for some one else to share the cost. Easy Does It Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigra 0 #39 December 27, 2004 I have a good friend who found out the hard way that his insurance had a "dangerous sports" exclusion, and they enforced it right away. They didn't wait for him to fill out a form telling them how he got hurt- he knew he wasn't covered the day after his accident! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbrown 26 #40 December 27, 2004 5 and 1/2 weeks in a cast and non-weight bearing the whole time ? No walking boot ? Sounds like you have a way to go before any jumping. I twisted my foot about 180 degrees and just demolished the ankle ligaments last spring. Then the energy of the twist went up my fib and cracked it in two places, also a small chip fracture to one of the bones in the ankle. The fractures healed up quickly all by themselves. I wore a splint that I could take off and put back on, basically made of fiberglass shaped to my leg & foot, plus 3 ace bandages. I also had surgery to install a pin in my ankle, or the doctor said I'd have healed with a floppy foot for the rest of my life. After 5 or 6 weeks I got the boot and quickly went from two crutches to one, and soon no crutches. I stumped around in the Frankenboot for another 8 weeks, until the doc was ready to operate again and remove the pin. After that things improved rapidly and I started PT. PT never hurt, but I hated it anyway because I'm basically lazy about physical excercise. But they knew I wanted to jump again, so they gave me a lot of jumping around kind of excercises, plus one of those big 4 ft x 3 in. rubber bands to use for flexing exercises. I went another 6 weeks before I felt good enough to get back in the air. I upsized from a 190 Spectre to a 210 Pilot, mostly at my wife's insistence (she's really very supportive of my jumping). Besides, I weigh close to 250 out the door anyway, so I'm still loading at or near 1.2, so I don't consider my Pilot to be big, nor a "boat". It just made sense. Finally, I spent about $9 at the local pharmacy on an ankle brace thingy that looks like it's made out of ace bandage material. It slips on over a sock and sort of grips the foot and ankle and I found it helpful, though lately I don't feel like I need it anymore. You're going to be having swelling issues for a long time, possibly a year or more. At first, take some time for a midday break to put your foot UP and ice it. Eventually the selling will improve until finally it's either gone or about as good as it will ever get. And don't be shy about PLF's and butt slides. Feet and knees together will save you every time, but you already know that by now. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dumpster 0 #41 December 27, 2004 Great post - Very useful info - ! Progress to-date - (Just to share woth hose who may have just tuned in-) Cast came of this past Wednesday, the 22nd of December. Doc said to put weight on the foot as I feel comfortable with. Less than a week later I'm down to using a cane. I'm mostly taking it easy and keeping things elevated. Swelling is going down more every day. I amd flexing and moving my ankle to get range of motion back. If I'm back in the air by the end of Feb. I think I'll be doing good. Hardwae consists of a plate and eight screws, which will be with me for life, unless they gove me problems. I will be upsizing to a 170 Spectre (this will put me at a 1.2 wingloading) from my 150 Spectre. This is of my own choice. I feel this will slow down the low-wind landings and still give me decent penetration on breezy days. I haven purchased a brace yet - I thought it would be a good idea to talk with the physical therapist first. Right at the moment, a little compression feels good. I prepared to be dealing with this for awhile - I broke a toe and felt it for a year!! PLF? Oh yes - PLF is your friend! Butt Slide? That why the suit manufacturers offer reinforced jumpsuits, right? Thanks again! Great post! Easy Does It Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Avion 0 #42 December 28, 2004 As I'm sure you've already been told, the tendons will heal slower than the bones, and the ligiments if they heal at all will probably always be less than were. I have had lesser injuries, and have rehabed them myself in a way that always make the doctors ask what I doing to heal so fast and well. Basically a lot of hot salt water soaks. That will bring the blood into the area, and blood speeds healing. The heat will also loosen things up so that when you stretch you will regain flexibility easier and faster. Always try always soak for at least 20 mins before PT. I soak injuries for 45mins three times a day. And work them for flexibilty as much as I can stand. In a couple of months you should be able to regain most of your original flexibility. When/if you can jog slowly for 2-3 miles, I would say your completely healed. Use ice after workouts in the begining to reduce swelling. Best Regards... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #43 December 28, 2004 My plate was a pain in my ass. I could run my fingers over the area and feel the plate and the screws. Maybe if I had fat ankles it wouldn't have been a problem. Plus, my snowboard boots rubbed on the plate. I had the metal all taken out about two years ago, and it was the best thing I'd ever done.May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dumpster 0 #44 December 28, 2004 I can sort of feel the plate and screws there - Weird! Easy Does It Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #45 December 28, 2004 QuoteI can sort of feel the plate and screws there - Weird! You may feel different about getting them removed in a few years.May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dumpster 0 #46 December 28, 2004 QuoteYou may feel different about getting them removed in a few years. Could be - Doc said they'd be in there permanantly, unless they give me problems, then they'll come out. Easy Does It Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sheenster303 0 #47 December 28, 2004 QuoteQuoteYou may feel different about getting them removed in a few years. Could be - Doc said they'd be in there permanantly, unless they give me problems, then they'll come out. That's what my doc told me too. So far no problems, but we'll see how it goes later on down the road. It is very weird feeling though.I'm so funny I crack my head open! P.M.S. #102 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #48 December 28, 2004 I can also feel my plate and screws. I was told the hardware must stay in for a minimum of 2 years before they'll even consider taking it out. And only if it causes problems will they take it out anyway. My right ankle is sooo obviously bigger than the left one. Anyone that looks at them can tell. As soon as i have enough money for the doctor copay, i'm going back to my orthopedic doc to make sure mine is healing correctly. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sheenster303 0 #49 December 28, 2004 My right is bigger than my left too, but I don't know if all the swelling has stopped yet or not. I go back to the doc in a month to see how things are healing. He was concerned at one point if he was going to have to do another surgery because my ankle looked a little too wide and it would cause arthritis. They decided not to have the surgery so now I'm worried that my ankle is going to be all bigger than the other one.I'm so funny I crack my head open! P.M.S. #102 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigra 0 #50 December 28, 2004 You'll notice swelling for several months or even longer, but it does get better. You should have a better idea if you look at/ compare your ankles first thing in the morning before you've done any walking, etc. Swelling should be at a minimum then. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
