Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > All Miscellaneous questions > Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else
Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



Like Tree4Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 18 Aug 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Salisbury
Posts: 204
Wrist Injury - Return to Motorcycling

Having suffered a serious accident on my motorcycle when returning from Armenia and left me with a seriously damaged right wrist, in that there is little movement, particularly up and down in relation to my arm. This prevents me from operating a throttle or front brake lever.

I have yet to begin physiotherapy, but the prognosis is for me to have a stiff wrist. I appreciate every injury is different but I am aware of racing motorcyclists being back in the saddle after only a short period away (albeit with the best medical care money can buy).

Has anyone suffered anything similar that could offer guidance for hand/wrist exercises, reasonably easy modifications to a machine to enable me to ride please? I may be fantasising but is it possible to reduce the rotation of a throttle to an absolute minimum, specially shaped brake levers to reduce travel, etc.

The thought of not being able to ride again is an utterly depressing prospect.

Many thanks.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 18 Aug 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Quote:
Originally Posted by EMBEE View Post

I have yet to begin physiotherapy, but the prognosis is for me to have a stiff wrist. I appreciate every injury is different but I am aware of racing motorcyclists being back in the saddle after only a short period away (albeit with the best medical care money can buy).

Has anyone suffered anything similar
The thought of not being able to ride again is an utterly depressing prospect.

Many thanks.
Shoulder not wrist but I would say --

It's early days; trust the physio and do as you are told, exactly as you are instructed (don't invent things for yourself).

Work with the physio, show interest, question what is happening but in a positive way (lots of UK patients of the NHS think that miracle cures are on hand and they don't actually have to do too much to be fully cured - maybe they have been watching too many BS movies wherein the hero always stands up and walks away?).

Don't accept that the physio process is finished until you are content that it is finished - by which I mean that you have to decide what % recovery you want to achieve (connect this point with those above).

Good luck; you will be riding again sometime in the future if you really want to do that.
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 19 Aug 2015
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: RTW
Posts: 517
I had bad accident in Indonesia with a truck.
My left wrist was in 6 pieces, both hands had 10 fractures and long bone between wrist and elbow was completely cut.

My wrist was so badly damaged that I had to fly to Europe to get it operated.
Roughly 3 months later I had fixed my bike and I continued my RTW.

Now 2 years later I still have titanium support and 10 screw in my wrist. Wrist is a bit stiffer than other one, but does not cause any bigger problems.

After surgery I trained my wrist around 6-8 hours every day. Lot of twisting to get as much movement back as possible. Also squeezed rubber ball all the time to get strength back.

Just do not give up and do all kind of trainings with your broken hand.
__________________
www.whereishemuli.eu
Riding round the World

Facebook:WhereIsHemuli
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 21 Aug 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA
Posts: 238
In 2008 I had a high side on a back road in Tennessee that destroyed my left wrist. I had a couple of surgeries and rehab, which was painful. The accident was in October and by April I was back on my bike. The first time I got in traffic, my hand locked up from the constant clutching and declutching but that went away. You need to keep up the therapy and continue to move your wrist around, Even now, I feel like it gets stiff If I don't move it around. Good luck.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 21 Aug 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Salisbury
Posts: 204
Many thanks for your replies with words of encouragement. My physio begins next Wednesday, so I hope I will be given more exercises to carry out and get some flexibility back in the wrist.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 29 Aug 2015
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 26
Yup, entirely possible to relocate the various controls.
I ride with one arm, my left so have the throttle, front brake and clutch on that side. I have a Suzuki Sv650s. In a sense it's good physio riding anyway. Good luck
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 29 Aug 2015
mollydog's Avatar
R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,824
Quote:
Originally Posted by EMBEE View Post
Many thanks for your replies with words of encouragement. My physio begins next Wednesday, so I hope I will be given more exercises to carry out and get some flexibility back in the wrist.
I hope you've not waited too long to begin Physio ... the sooner you can begin the better. As time passes it becomes impossible to break down scar tissue and to restore 100% flexion and strength.

You'll get back from Physio what you put in ... see what Hemuli says about doing 6 to 8 hours work a day. Work hard at it and don't give up. But if you've waited too long to begin ... it will be a tough long road back.

My Doc's had me into Physio as soon as I could hobble into the facility and I had home visits before that.

Good luck, heal fast!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11 Dec 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
Shoulder not wrist but I would say --

It's early days; trust the physio and do as you are told, exactly as you are instructed (don't invent things for yourself).

Work with the physio, show interest, question what is happening but in a positive way (lots of UK patients of the NHS think that miracle cures are on hand and they don't actually have to do too much to be fully cured - maybe they have been watching too many BS movies wherein the hero always stands up and walks away?).

Don't accept that the physio process is finished until you are content that it is finished - by which I mean that you have to decide what % recovery you want to achieve (connect this point with those above).

Good luck; you will be riding again sometime in the future if you really want to do that.
To elaborate on my info from Aug last.
I had metalwork in my shoulder for 3-4 years and then had it removed for further medical reasons.
The UK medics I came across were not keen to reverse an earlier operation: it is almost akin to an admission that errors were made first time around.

You will need to listen to the surgical advice and what they are saying based on all the evidence that you/they have and we don't know.
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12 Dec 2015
mollydog's Avatar
R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,824
Get 2nd and even 3rd opinions if you possibly can.
I actually got Mick Doohan's guy (Dr. Kevin Louie/DR. Arthur Ting) ... Louie said the guy I had in mind was his teacher when at med school. My operation was 110% successful ... previous 2 attempts had totally failed.

There are lots of docs literally practicing medicine ... don't let them practice on you. All the best ... say your prayers. I do know that the more times they go in and screw around the more chance you have for long term, permanent damage.

All the best!

Last edited by mollydog; 12 Dec 2015 at 23:36.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 15 Dec 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
You will need to listen to the surgical advice and what they are saying based on all the evidence that you/they have and we don't know.
You also need to pay attention to what your own body is saying to you - despite all the medical evidence, invasive and non-invasive, they don't necessarily know as much as you about the symptoms that you are experiencing.
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 15 Dec 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: france
Posts: 115
Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
You also need to pay attention to what your own body is saying to you - despite all the medical evidence, invasive and non-invasive, they don't necessarily know as much as you about the symptoms that you are experiencing.
That is very true and important also. It supposed you find your own way *in these matters . You body is you and you are it .


nb: * limits of my english
__________________
"In a car you're always in a compartment, and because you're used to it you don't realize that through that car window everything you see is just more TV." R. Pirsig
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 15 Dec 2015
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 10
wrist

Hi EmBee..

you dont mention your age which is a big factor on getting better..when younger 21 I fractured right wrist,3 ribs and elbow in one accident all healed well and gave no other probs..

2 years ago I fractured right ankle twice and metatarsal in same foot..again healed fine i was 48..

now this year in france i dislocated and fractured the radius ulna requiring 3 pins at age of 50 ...now it is 90% better after lots of physio from friends and stretching exercises for tendons..thought it would never improve early on..

I do euro off road riding for pleasure so slow speeds....cold weather hurts like hell and still need tramadol pain killers sometimes...on long euro road rides i need to stop every 2 hours to massgae and stretch the wrist..

it was my left that broke last time....uk nhs doctors won offer best solution...private is best as they have access to all the tools..

best of luck
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 15 Dec 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: france
Posts: 115
The age is a condition, different for some people, a lot . One thing is sure
You have to carry on practice SOMETHING afterwards to "keep" the level .
Like an old instructor said
" Over 50 ( now it would be 60 or for some 25 ah ah ) if you wake up in the morning and don't suffer, you are dead "
__________________
"In a car you're always in a compartment, and because you're used to it you don't realize that through that car window everything you see is just more TV." R. Pirsig
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 3 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 3 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Return flight ticket Dublin to Reykjavik 100 Eur Ajungbauer Iceland 0 24 Jul 2015 10:08
Adventure Motorcycling event at the University of Kent samueleuk Motorcycle Events around the world 0 3 May 2014 22:39
Science of Adventure Motorcycling samueleuk Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 13 15 Aug 2012 12:19
Survey on common musculoskeletal injuries experienced during adventure motorcycling samueleuk Staying Healthy on the Road 0 14 Aug 2012 13:59
The Science of Adventure Motorcycling samueleuk Staying Healthy on the Road 1 4 Aug 2012 06:46

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:35.