My season in injuries

[mdf]

If I didn't know better, I'd think my knee was fine. I was OK with a conservative rehab schedule during the summer, but as snow gets closer, the idea that I can't ski till the middle of FEBRUARY is going to drive me crazy!

 

[mdf]

Ok, it is freaky how much my knee needs exercise. I was on a week-long business trip, then we had out of town guests, and I got a cold. End result, a week without the gym. Sunday my kneecap was tracking funny and the knee hurt. Two days back in my routine and it feels fine today.

 

[Tony S]

... Two days back in my routine and it feels fine today.

I love hearing this! I am counting on you for grayhair broage.

 

[mdf]

Yesterday was my first day back on skis since my ACL knee surgery last spring. Best day ever. [Hey, we lost the Best Day emoji -- dead link now].
My knee felt great. No pain or swelling during skiing, after, or the next morning. Right off the first lift I felt comfortable skiing.

In fact, it was probably the best first-day-of-the-season that I have ever had. Most years, some subtle balance or technique flaw causes some screamingly sore muscles -- which resolve themselves after a few days on snow without being figured out. I had none of that this year. In fact, the only thing sore this morning is the muscle behind the shoulder I carry my skis on.

We were at Sugarbush and most of the lifts were on wind hold. Nothing too challenging was open. An icy Steins Run (icy, not real ice) with a few bimps (baby bumps) near the bottom was about it.

Again,

 

[Marker]

Good to hear your progress! I'm starting my recovery now after a Lateral Malleolus Fracture of my right fibula last Monday. Occurred inside my boot with a forward fall that twisted that ski too aggressively. I felt something give and I'm glad it wasn't the knee. The x-rays gave my right knee a clean bill, and the fracture is about a minor as such a thing can be, but I'm on the shelf for three months. That would put me at the beginning of May, which is still doable at Killington where I have my season pass, but I'm not sure whether that is a wise idea. At least I got my value out of the pass before the accident. I'll go up with wife and friends for a few more visits and be a good sport, but it will be a lot less than my wife expected.

 

[Tony S]

We were at Sugarbush and most of the lifts were on wind hold. Nothing too challenging was open. An icy Steins Run (icy, not real ice) with a few bimps (baby bumps) near the bottom was about it.

What? Which Sugarbush are you at? Great morning and afternoon. Noon was the bad time.

 

[mdf]

What? Which Sugarbush are you at? Great morning and afternoon. Noon was the bad time.

We were there yesterday (Sunday). Drove back in the snow

 

[Dave Petersen]

Vitreous hemorrhage in right eye on Jan. 7. Doctor said it would take 2-3 months for the blood on my retina blocking my vision to be absorbed by the body, but after a month (just yesterday) I am nearly back to normal. I only missed 5 days of skiing (I did ski with basically one eye for a few weeks)!

 

[Doug Briggs]

I haven't been out much due to a perilous condition. W.O.R.K. I could use some home remedies for this.

In all sincerity, I offer my best wishes for a speedy and pain-free recovery to all those with real afflictions.

 

[Marker]

Maybe if I didn't have to still work I could be more selective about my ski days and avoid the more sketchy conditions.

 

[Living Proof]

Vitreous hemorrhage in right eye on Jan. 7. Doctor said it would take 2-3 months for the blood on my retina blocking my vision to be absorbed by the body, but after a month (just yesterday) I am nearly back to normal. I only missed 5 days of skiing (I did ski with basically one eye for a few weeks)!

Exactly one year ago, I had the same issue/diagnosis. The cloudiness still returns on irregular basis, my Dr. states this may be as good as it gets, but, far better than at the onset of the bleeding. Now, if knee arthritis would only revert back to original status, I would be a very happy camper.

 

[neonorchid]

Vitreous hemorrhage in right eye on Jan. 7. Doctor said it would take 2-3 months for the blood on my retina blocking my vision to be absorbed by the body, but after a month (just yesterday) I am nearly back to normal. I only missed 5 days of skiing (I did ski with basically one eye for a few weeks)!

Exactly one year ago, I had the same issue/diagnosis. The cloudiness still returns on irregular basis, my Dr. states this may be as good as it gets, but, far better than at the onset of the bleeding. Now, if knee arthritis would only revert back to original status, I would be a very happy camper.

Consider yourselves lucky, the vitreous hemorrhage I had left me with a classic horseshoe retnia tear That was no fun, and TG it didn't detach!
Of course in what seems to be my pattern of late, it happened at the start of a great snow year!!!!!

 

[Dave Petersen]

Consider yourselves lucky, the vitreous hemorrhage I had left me with a classic horseshoe retnia tear That was no fun, and TG it didn't detach!
Of course in what seems to be my pattern of late, it happened at the start of a great snow year!!!!!

That has to suck! I do consider myself fortunate. They did an ultrasound on my eye since they couldn't see the retina for the blood - kind of scary for a while. I go back to the opthamologist in a couple weeks. My vision isn't 100% yet, but I can read small print so that is promising. I ski four days a week -- I am holding back a little just because I don't want to go backwards in my healing.

I've been sleeping sitting up for the past month to speed recovery.

I have a thing for riding roller coasters -- don't know if I will need to give that up?? Hope not.

 

[Dave Petersen]

I haven't been out much due to a perilous condition. W.O.R.K. I could use some home remedies for this.

In all sincerity, I offer my best wishes for a speedy and pain-free recovery to all those with real afflictions.

I don't feel TOO bad for you Doug. You're so close you could go make a couple runs and still get a lot of work done.

 

[Living Proof]

Consider yourselves lucky, the vitreous hemorrhage I had left me with a classic horseshoe retnia tear That was no fun, and TG it didn't detach!
Of course in what seems to be my pattern of late, it happened at the start of a great snow year!!!!!

OK, we Philly people know all about Wills Eye Hospital. My eye doctor is on staff there, and, after my initial eye diagnosis, made an immediate appointment with a Will Eye retina specialist because the symptoms are indicative of a detached retina, which need high level immediate care..I lucked out and did not have that condition. People, if you have a very fast change in your vision, get your butt to a very good eye doctor.

 

[neonorchid]

That has to suck! I do consider myself fortunate. They did an ultrasound on my eye since they couldn't see the retina for the blood - kind of scary for a while. I go back to the opthamologist in a couple weeks. My vision isn't 100% yet, but I can read small print so that is promising. I ski four days a week -- I am holding back a little just because I don't want to go backwards in my healing.

I've been sleeping sitting up for the past month to speed recovery.

I have a thing for riding roller coasters -- don't know if I will need to give that up?? Hope not.

Oh no, IDK who told you to sleep sitting up please stop torturing yourself - It's one of those things where you just have to wait it out.

As to riding roller coasters, the only restriction on me while healing was not to ski due to of risk of an impact in a fall etc. I was given no restrictions after it healed.
Been doing follow-ups with the retina surgeon (Wills Eye affiliate), once a year since it happened, IIRC about nine years ago.

 

[Dave Petersen]

Oh no, IDK who told you to sleep sitting up please stop torturing yourself - It's one of those things where you just have to wait it out.

As to riding roller coasters, the only restriction on me while healing was not to ski due to of risk of an impact in a fall etc. I was given no restrictions after it healed.
Been doing follow-ups with the retina surgeon (Wills Eye affiliate), once a year since it happened, IIRC about nine years ago.

I should say “propped up” - doctor said that would help. Been sleeping on the couch with a couple of pillows on the arm rest. I had a lot of blood on the retina and that supposedly helps.

 

[Marker]

I should say “propped up” - doctor said that would help. Been sleeping on the couch with a couple of pillows on the arm rest. I had a lot of blood on the retina and that supposedly helps.

I've been doing the same, but to raise my right leg higher than my head to minimize the swelling in my foot, ankle, and calf. This helps to keep swelling down enough so I can sleep, but I don't think it will have too much effect on shorting the healing process for my fibula fracture. I'm likely done for a normal year, but late April/early May could still be skiable at Killington, except that I don't relish skiing moguls all day during recovery from the injury.

 

[John Webb]

Good to hear your progress! I'm starting my recovery now after a Lateral Malleolus Fracture of my right fibula last Monday. Occurred inside my boot with a forward fall that twisted that ski too aggressively. I felt something give and I'm glad it wasn't the knee. The x-rays gave my right knee a clean bill, and the fracture is about a minor as such a thing can be, but I'm on the shelf for three months. That would put me at the beginning of May, which is still doable at Killington where I have my season pass, but I'm not sure whether that is a wise idea. At least I got my value out of the pass before the accident. I'll go up with wife and friends for a few more visits and be a good sport, but it will be a lot less than my wife expected.

Sounds EXACTLY like my right fibula fracture inside the boot. Happened 12 years ago during a slide on a very icy run at Kirkwood. The Wall.
I was sliding fast and twisted hitting and do not even remember breaking the Fib 2 inches above the ankle. I was lucky to stop in time before woods.
This was my first and only serious injury ever, knock on wood.
Recovery with PT took 4 to 5 months.but included a month delay due to an unrelated problem. I even bought a new car while laid up ! Trish test drove it
and salesman delivered to my house where it set rusting for 2 months.

 

[Marker]

Sounds EXACTLY like my right fibula fracture inside the boot. Happened 12 years ago during a slide on a very icy run at Kirkwood. The Wall.
I was sliding fast and twisted hitting and do not even remember breaking the Fib 2 inches above the ankle. I was lucky to stop in time before woods.
This was my first and only serious injury ever, knock on wood.
Recovery with PT took 4 to 5 months.but included a month delay due to an unrelated problem. I even bought a new car while laid up ! Trish test drove it
and salesman delivered to my house where it set rusting for 2 months.

My fracture is probably about 1 inch above the end of the fibula if I remember the x-ray correctly. The doctor said is was a pretty clean break and set up well for healing, perhaps due to my nice tight and stiff Lange RS 130's! The treatment program for the moment is a stirrup ankle brace and exercises for a "sprained" ankle, so I'm hoping the rehab is not too long. I'll need to recover the strength in that (dominant) right leg, but I'm still hitting the gym to lift weights for the upper body and left leg, and do my core exercises. I just have to keep the strain off that ankle, so aerobic exercise will be difficult for now. I can drive with the stirrup brace, so same old car.

My twisting forward fall (there is thread active on these...) was due to a change in terrain from a firm steeper section to a flatter one layered with scraped off snowcone ice, sort of like a sand pit, that grabbed the tip of the right ski and twisted it into the left ski to start the fall. Not sure exactly how everything else transpired from that point... If I had realized there was a sandpit, I would have approached it differently, but it was too late before I realized what I was heading into. To compound the problem, I was on my Rossi Hero LT's, not the best ski for chopped up groomers, but up until that point they were great on most of the groomed firm runs I stuck to that day.