Bicycle Crash

Alaskan · November 08, 2012, 04:07:35 PM

I had left hip resurfacing 2 years ago with De Smet. (I also had a BHR on my right hip by De Smet some 10 years ago.) All has been wonderful. However, 4 days ago while biking, I hit a patch of ice and landed directly on my left hip. Today, the bruising and the pain from the bruising has subsided but I am still limping and have some new pain in my groin area of my left hip. How worried should I be? How long do I wait before going to a doctor?

Pat Walter · November 08, 2012, 05:09:23 PM

I fell very hard on my resurfaced BHR hip by De Smet 2 years ago. Once off my bike when it got stuck between the grass and bricks. OUCH I fell right on the hip. It was sore and I was really worried, but ended up OK. Then later in the year, I missed a little 2 inch step in an old house and fell right on it again. Somehow - it held up both times. You immediately get that vision of what a revision would be like. Fortunately, for me and hopefully you, it was not required.

I would guess, not being a doctor though, that you have really bruised yourself. If you actually broke something or fractured anything - it would hurt hurt hurt like you know what. I would give it a couple days more and see how things work out. I fell on my knee last year really hard and it took forever for it to heal and not be sore.

If you are worried, you can always get an x-ray. Many of us have found the BHR is much stronger than our bones, muscles and ligaments.

Good Luck.

Pat

Tin Soldier · November 09, 2012, 04:58:33 PM

I'll add to that by mentioning some stories I've seen here. I believe both John C and Wayne-O talked about some pretty hard falls they've had while skiing/snowboarding. They didn't have any long lasting problems. I agree with Pat that you can do a lot to the hip and you'll probably be just fine. X-ray would certainly be the tell tale, but it probably doesn't hurt waiting a little bit to see how things go. Ice it and take it easy and it'll probably be fine.

Alaskan · November 26, 2012, 02:44:54 PM

Update: Today is two weeks since my bike crash. My hip is much better-99% pain free! It is a huge relief to know that it held up to the big impact I had. Thanks for the encouraging words Pat.

Anna · November 26, 2012, 05:08:51 PM

Thats great news. It must give you alot more confidence in your hip too knowing that it can survive such an impact. I wish you and your hip many more fun cycling adventures for years to come :)

phillwad · November 26, 2012, 10:54:31 PM

I was out on my mountain bike last week and tried to go across a stream only to slip on some rocks - went down hard but was OK to finish the ride - no lasting effect except I took some skin off the end of my little finger and I let a bunch of other riders get past me

OtterDriver · November 27, 2012, 02:33:59 PM

Hello Alaskan-

Sorry to hear of your mishap, but glad all seems to be okay!

I almost went down the other day just clearing the driveway after the snow plow came by. Are you in Juneau?

Take care, Bruce

Alaskan · November 27, 2012, 07:35:15 PM

Bruce, I live in Anchorage. After 11 feet of snow last year, :-), we have very little this year so far. :-(

I am very happy with the Birmingham Hip Replacement that I had done 10 years ago, and even happier with the Conserve Plus that Dr. De Smet did 2 years ago.

I landed with all my weight directly on the newer hip, and I was very concerned after the pain got worse 4 days after the accident, but it seems that everything is fine!!!