BelskyBlueEyes 0 #1 November 14, 2006 I am really freaked out. I had injured myself on AFF2 on Oct 15 and thought it was a sprained foot, bruised knee. My HMO doc xrayed my foot Oct 16, but did not xray my knee. (I did question it, but he said it was just a bad bruise). I just today went to the Sports Med doc, and she thinks I had a hairline fracture of my tibia. I am totally freaked out because I almost jumped this past weekend and if I had done that I most likely would have made the healing injury blow out because it can't take that kind of force yet . She told me I should be wearing a brace, using crutches, only walking at minimum. I definitely have a bruised MCL, I hope no torn cartilage. She is getting 2nd opinion from the surgeon, just to confirm what she suspects. I can't believe it was something like this, and I didn't know. I know I am pain tolerant, but gee, that much? I cant stop thinking about what if I had jumped. Thank goodness I listened to my intuition. Has this kind of injury ever happened to anyone? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #2 November 14, 2006 You are the victim of medical malpractice, and you should sue!! Oh, wait!! – that's not what you're asking. I have had sprains that have laid me up for more time, and hurt more, than minor fractures. FWIW, hairline fractures sometimes don't appear on regular x-rays until a couple of weeks after the fracture, when the fresh calcification becomes visible. I've had hairline fractures on metatarsals from running, and that was the case for me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Orange1 0 #3 November 14, 2006 well, then i guess the majority of advice not to jump in this thread http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2498027;#2498027 was right then... glad you didn't make it worse. on your question... I thought a fracture of my talus was just a sprain at first - but as the other ankle was clearly broken the doc x-rayed it just in case and found the fracture . I'm told that damage to ligaments/tendons (such as you get in a dislocated break or a torn tendon) hurts a lot more than "just" a fracture.Skydiving: wasting fossil fuels just for fun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BelskyBlueEyes 0 #4 November 14, 2006 Yes, I did heed the advice of the earlier posts and I couldnt avoid listening to that little voice that said "not ready to jump yet!". What has me so shocked is I nearly felt ok, thought I would definitely be ok by this coming weekend. Never expected that I had any broken bone because I thought that would hurt more. So good thing I didnt listen to anyone that told me "wrap/tape it up and take some Motrin, you will be fine." Now the question is what it did to my mind, I can't jump for probably another month according to the doc. (assuming she is correct in what she told me about the fracture) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSpenceFLY 1 #5 November 14, 2006 Not questioning what your Doc told you but I would think if it were a hair line frature it would nearly be healed by now.Most bones heal in 6 weeks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #6 November 14, 2006 For us old farts, that is great news!My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BelskyBlueEyes 0 #7 November 14, 2006 You are correct, the doctor said it is a healing fracture. This past weekend was the 4th week. I had been taking care of it, ice/heat, wearing ace bandage, taking Motrin/Aleve, so that is why I did not have much inflammation. I did think this was for a sprain. I still am surprised that you can break a bone and not know it! Goes to show you the body will survive, it takes care of itself. It gave me pain in my foot, so it managed to keep me off bearing weight on my knee too! Innate brain ability, what a blessing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
micduran 0 #8 November 14, 2006 Will you please tell my arm that? Be patient with the faults of others; they have to be patient with yours. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSpenceFLY 1 #9 November 14, 2006 Ok,most bones heal in 6 weeks until you get old. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSpenceFLY 1 #10 November 14, 2006 I just noticed you are from Ga. Where were you injured? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Orange1 0 #11 November 15, 2006 QuoteOk,most bones heal in 6 weeks until you get old. ya Spence, like 13 years, i don't think many jumpers of that age?? Skydiving: wasting fossil fuels just for fun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
willard 0 #12 November 15, 2006 Once had a compression fracture of my spine from a racing accident. Three times it was X-rayed, nobody saw it. Pain was constant but tolerable with non-prescription meds. After a few months it was back to normal. I didn't know what caused the pain until ten years later when it finally showed up on X-rays taken for a separate incident. The Dr. said it's not unusual, that sometimes the fracture is so clean it doesn't show up until it heals, then they can see the difference in the bone density. Take care of that leg and hope you feel better soon! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zipp0 1 #13 November 15, 2006 Aw, that's nothing. I've lived my whole life thinking I was a dumb ass. Turns out, I was dropped on my head at 2 1/2 years, and have had undiagnosed dain bramage the whole time . -------------------------- Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BelskyBlueEyes 0 #14 November 15, 2006 Well very bad news. I have a 'non-displaced fracture of the lateral tibial plateau'. Because it is a load bearing area, I am out for 3 months. I was told I am extremely lucky I do not need surgery and no pain is involved for me. I am only allowed to walk and need to be extra careful they say. I can't believe it. I was already feeling lost confidence, heck I only had 1 jump to reference, and even that one wasn't great. I would like to read or something to help get my mind on track, apparently I didnt 'get it' when I jumped. Any suggestions for books to read or articles that will help me for when I do jump again? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfloyd 0 #15 November 15, 2006 Well take it easy and get well soon, hope you have softer landings when you return to sport. Blue Skies! My drinking team has a skydiving problem Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSpenceFLY 1 #16 November 15, 2006 Well you can still hang out at the DZ.You can learn alot just being there.I'll be in Thomaston this weekend and at The Farm next weekend.Come out for a visit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilatus_p 0 #17 November 16, 2006 QuoteOnce had a compression fracture of my spine from a racing accident. Three times it was X-rayed, nobody saw it. Did the x-ray look anything like NUMBER1.JPG and NUMBER2.JPG (attached)? I always thought that 'reading' x-rays was a dark art, but seems the pros see exactly what you and I see - a mish mash of white blobs! These 2 were taken abroad where the injury happened. Docs missed two compression fractures with me too, although you can actually see one of them in NUMBER2.JPG. They were eventually found when I got back to the UK. Have a look at the wobbly bones in NUMBER3.JPG, taken in the UK. . If I'd gone with first docs advice I might well have jumped within a month, and not known I had a broken spine. UK docs found em and gave me a three month lay off. God bless the NHS. Belsky... I know what you mean about intuition, good on you for following up. Not surprised you are freaked out! I certainly always thought doctors were magic healing wizards and fairies and it was a bit of a shocker when I realised these guys are human too ... Maybe some tunnel time would be good? Might help with the old body position etc? Just an idea. Pay em a bit extra and they may give you a big muscly dude to lift you out the tunnel - keep any stress off that poor leg! Heal swiftly Rosshttp://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/troll.htm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
willard 0 #18 November 16, 2006 *** "Did the x-ray look anything like NUMBER1.JPG and NUMBER2.JPG (attached)?" Since it happened back in '89, and I'm clueless as to reading an X-ray, I can't really say if the pics look the same. Luckily it healed up just fine with no lingering effects. Lesson learned: If it still hurts after a few weeks, it's probably not just a pulled muscle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azdiver 0 #19 November 17, 2006 Quotewell, then i guess the majority of advice not to jump in this thread http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2498027;#2498027 was right then... glad you didn't make it worse. on your question... I thought a fracture of my talus was just a sprain at first - but as the other ankle was clearly broken the doc x-rayed it just in case and found the fracture . I'm told that damage to ligaments/tendons (such as you get in a dislocated break or a torn tendon) hurts a lot more than "just" a fracture.a torn tendon hurts like hell and makes life miserable. recently damaged a tendon on the side of my foot and now i cant even put the foot on the ground.just moving the leg hurts.light travels faster than sound, that's why some people appear to be bright until you hear them speak Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BelskyBlueEyes 0 #20 November 17, 2006 I wish the first doctor had taken an x-ray of the knee/tibia area and not the foot, because even I not being a doctor was able to see the line of the fracture on the x-ray. I still am in shock about it, I still cant seem to accept that I need to be using crutches and probably will not be cleared to skydive until Feb or March, yet I am walking fine. The problem I have is the first doctor told me it was just a bruise, even after I questioned it. Why didnt he just take the x-ray? I think because I was not having pain he didnt believe me. So, if this ever happens to anyone, make them do the x-ray! I am lucky I did not do something and displace the fracture which would have required surgery. To the person with the injured tendon- ouch! Delicate nerve endings we have in our feet huh! Feel better and hopes for quick healing. I made good friends with "Icy-Hot" cream, it feels so nice on achy parts. :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSpenceFLY 1 #21 November 17, 2006 There is no reason for it to take that long to heal unless you have some kind of problem with your bones.When I fractured my back my Doc told me I should never skydive again.Well here I am 1600 jumps later.Yes I am a little smart assed and perverted but I don't think it has anything to do with the fracture. disclaimer:I'm not a doctor but there is a Holiday Inn Express close to my house. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BelskyBlueEyes 0 #22 November 17, 2006 RE: CSpenceFLY Not every bone heals in the same time frame. So you can not judge it that way. You are not a doctor or orthopaedic surgeon, so please be careful what you say! Because of the location of my fracture, a load bearing area, I have to be non-weight bearing for 6-8 weeks at minimum. Otherwise, any stress on it can potentially make it worse, could displace the fracture which would be awful. That means crutches. Yes, even though I can stand on it and dont feel pain. The doctor had to tell me this several times, I did not want to believe it. It sucks! I researched "fractured tibial plateau" and indeed most people end up with surgery. It has nothing to do with my age, my bones- this is what you have to do when you injure this particular area. I am lucky I did not end up with plates and screws in my leg. Even if a doctor is conservative in treatment, better to be safe then sorry. I would rather wait a few months and be sure then end up not even being able to walk normal ever again. Last thing I have to say, just because your back injury didnt take long to heal doesnt mean everyone out there will have the same fortune. Don't let someone who is injured feel bad about it, it is upsetting enough. Best regards. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
willard 0 #23 November 17, 2006 I wish you the best on a speedy recovery! Don't rush the healing process, though. Each person heals at a different rate. Twnety years ago I could take a hard fall and get right back up. Now I have to take the time to groan, cuss, and take a nap before I even think about it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilatus_p 0 #24 November 17, 2006 Hi Belsky, Aww poor Spence! I can see where you are coming from re advice Belsky - we all have to be careful what we say on here, although I think Spence was just trying to be encouraging by saying you are probably better off than you realise. Apologies if I am speaking out of turn. Although his optimism may be grounded more in a naturally sunny personality than in medical fact, Spence is usually quite supportive and his experience should hopefully be comforting to you, so I'm sure no harm intended ... Whaddya think, Spence? I totally hear what you are saying about not wanting to believe it Belsky. My doctors looked in the wrong place (lower back instead of upper) and missed the main fracture and two broken ribs. I don't know if ER / A&E is anything like over here where you are, but I can see how the busy nature and pressure of the environment would lead to things being missed - but thats a whole thread in itself. Apologies if I am offending any ER room orthopaedic surgeons in here ... Any available to comment? My back was excruciating when I first did it, but after a week it felt like bruising. I found it hard to believe my movements could be as limited as I was being told. You are doing the right thing to be cautious - as someone said to me once, skydiving will always be there for you . Being able to walk is nice too. So, can you run on the crutches yet? Just kidding ... EDITED TO ADD: Calcium!! And lots of it Rosshttp://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/troll.htm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSpenceFLY 1 #25 November 17, 2006 I was not trying to make anyone feel bad.I was trying to give you a brighter side but I guess you don't want to look at it that way.It's an injury.Nothing to be upset about.Heal and move on.You said 6-8 weeks.Do the math.That does not take you to March.Your right,I'm not a Doc,I think I said that already.I also did alot of research when I was injured.Last post I'll make here. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
