Pelvis, Femur, Back, Scapula, Ribs, Skull

A bit over five weeks ago I took a wrong turn and crashed my speedwing in an innocuous spot. I broke my pelvis in 6+ places, broke my femur, broke 8 vertebrate in my back, broke my scapulae, broke 3 ribs, and fractured the back of my skull. I think I have 25 screws + plates in my pelvis and a few screws and nail down my femur.

I still have at least another 5 weeks before I'll be able to go home. I'm looking for anyone that has broken their pelvis this badly and continued in their sport at a high level. As you could imagine I have some concerns.

Fuck! Vibes and best wishes on your recovery.

Wow, dude, no help from me
But wishing you a strong recovery !

I've heard of a lot of paragliders around here that have broken themselves up and continued- but speedwings a bit more intense
stay sane and hope you recovery quickly as possible- hope you have one of those kindle e-readers as they are cheap (~$50) and easy entertainment while you recover

Fack... That's really rough. Vibes and best wishes to your speedy recovery.

I worked as a medic in a Level 1 trauma center. I've seen a lot of people go from broken to back to what they loved. Find the best PT program you can. Stay positive and have small goals everyday. Wishing you the best.

really depends on the details of the pelvic fractures, any associated nerve injuries. your ortho is your best source of information,

Fuck dude. Vibes your way. Wish you the best in recovery and, as was said, sane. No experience with pelvis. Your age and general health will make a big difference. Second the small goals and good PT.

At least you didn't break your leg like mtngirl... So you have that going for you, which is nice.

Dude! Stay strong and best of luck.

OP most of what you need to hear is just above. I fractured the right hip but, not to the extent your able to complain about. Just a badly disturbed uterer and some low consequence nerve damage.

I to had some other serious impact consequence and you will find these more immediate to your mobility. Your spine and femur will become a focus and the hip will take a back seat until it finally gets pissed and comes calling. Be mindful of this advise and maybe the hip bite won't be so bad for you.

Obviously core and posture should be your pillars for recovery. One day at a time; i hate those words together. Small goals and rely on your PT to support your emotional toil. Only you need to be satisfied with the final outcome.

Stem cells. Now.

Damn that's a harsh one. I'm no help broke all those except the pelvis. I suspect core/stabilizers will be the focus when you're able. Hope your nerve damaged is not bad. Heal up man. A lot of us can empathize

Hurts just reading that. I know of no one first hand, but professional surfer Bede Durbidge fractured his pelvis at Pipeline, and he was back competing on the WSL (elite world tour) a year later. He surfs slightly differently, but arguably better.
Heal well!

Jesus! Nothing helpful to offer except vibes. Good luck! Also wanted to say thanks for the kickass website. I used that a lot last winter.

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Originally Posted by splat

Stem cells. Now.

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Normally I'd agree, but he may not have viable BMAC in his iliac crest for them to harvest the cells from...

Seriously vibes, cmor. Injuries suck, and it sounds like you got it bad this time. Like was said above, find the absolute best PT you can and push yourself as hard as they say you should. When you're not doing PT: rest, eat healthfully, sleep tons, try to reduce your stress, etc. Wish I had more to offer. Make sure you take plenty of vitamin D since it sounds like you won't be outside in the sunshine much.

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Originally Posted by Gepeto

OP most of what you need to hear is just above. I fractured the right hip but, not to the extent your able to complain about. Just a badly disturbed uterer and some low consequence nerve damage.

I to had some other serious impact consequence and you will find these more immediate to your mobility. Your spine and femur will become a focus and the hip will take a back seat until it finally gets pissed and comes calling. Be mindful of this advise and maybe the hip bite won't be so bad for you.

Obviously core and posture should be your pillars for recovery. One day at a time; i hate those words together. Small goals and rely on your PT to support your emotional toil. Only you need to be satisfied with the final outcome.

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hope you mean ureter and not uterus.

cmor--there are a lot of different ways to break your pelvis. Pubic rami fractures generally heal well without long term problems. Sacroiliac disruptions not so much. Fracutres into the acetabulum--the socket--can cause long term hip joint problems. The 8 back fractures might turn out to be the bigger problem, or not, depending on what part of the vertebrae and how bad. Really, only an ortho trauma specialist who has seen your xrays can really advise you.

Really glad you're relatively ok, Chris! I remember you messaged me when I was in the hospital with my 2nd or 3rd tib/fib saying I should ditch skiing and take up speed flying ;)

Seriously though man [emoji109]

Lots of ups and downs up ahead. You'll be back at it though.


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Damn, u r afu. All I got is sympathy and wishes to get well soon.

Holy cow, vibes to healing power.

Acupuncture seems popular and may help with pain.

You will get back in time.

Thanks for the replies. I don't have any noticeable nerve damage at this point. I had minimal internal/bleeding and injuries. My OT said he's never seen anyone break all of the major (he actual said painful) bones in your body and not have a neuro deficit or TBI. I essentially broke every major bone group from my knee to my head. One of those unlucky but lucky scenarios. I've been having intense nerve pain in my head but the last 2 days have been better. Hard day to day but grateful for the mobility I have. Here's what I'm working with:

Attachment 213591

Cringe. Deep, full-body cringe, brother.

No relevant medical advice here.

Can you tell us more about the accident?

That is nuts. Good luck, I hope you have some good friends and family around to support you through this.

A friend of my wife messed himself up pretty similarly in a bad road bike wreck maybe 5-6 years ago. Broke his pelvis, multiple vertebrae, femur, ribs, and some other stuff. He spent about a month in the hospital and almost another 5 months in a full-time rehab facility. I think he's pretty much back to normal these days, but that's based on what she says he posts on FB.

Man, that looks brutal. And I thought I had hip problems.

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Originally Posted by Norseman

Cringe. Deep, full-body cringe, brother.

No relevant medical advice here.

Can you tell us more about the accident?

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It was nothing. A total fluke. I was soaring an 11m on a small dune and got pulled over the back just off the ground. Usually you just drag through the sand. Has happened a 1000 times with no injury. Somehow I must have down planed or barreled into the ground. I don't remember the accident and no one saw it. I have over a 1000 flights, was super current, and got bit by the little guy. Happens.

Today was better, nerve pain is subsiding, was able to tolerate the wheel chair for longer.