Big Hit in Eastern Wyoming, Healing the Weeks After a Get Off

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Hope nobody takes this as a thread jack but rather as an attempt to share information about rescue options and staying safe. A 1/2 mile one way or the other and no way to get help. Wow........

Not at all. Some additional advice to various readers on options to manage risk.

 

[extrememarine]

Wow, glad you're here to tell us about it. Hope you have a speedy and smooth recovery!

 

[Goodman4]

Sorry to read about your accident, Iggy, but thanks for posting and especially for the progress reports. Heal quickly and our prayers are with you.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Matt, don't stress the surgery for the clavicle. VERY few broken clavicles heal correctly without intervention. You will actually heal faster by them putting a plate over it and pinning it.

Continue to take it easy, and let stuff heal. You're on the right path.

Later...

 

[juniorfjr]

Matt, don't stress the surgery for the clavical. VERY few broken clavicals heal correctly without intervention. You will actually heal faster by them putting a plate over it and pinning it.
Continue to take it easy, and let stuff heal. You're on the right path.

Later...

Actually it's more common now to just remove the clavicle. Not necessary and never heals right.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Matt, don't stress the surgery for the clavical. VERY few broken clavicals heal correctly without intervention. You will actually heal faster by them putting a plate over it and pinning it.Continue to take it easy, and let stuff heal. You're on the right path.

Later...

Actually it's more common now to just remove the clavicle. Not necessary and never heals right.

Huh...I have never seen that, and we break them on a regular basis. I'd bet 2-3 guys a year break them during defensive tactics stuff, motorcycle crashes, fights, and bike crashes. A friend of mine broke his during K9 training and is still on restricted duty. One of my guys broke his last year during a "skills maintenance ride" and was also plated and pinned.

I'd wonder what removal of a clavicle does to overall strength and stability.

 

[bluesdog]

I managed to fracture my left clavicle slightly a number of years ago during Aikido. Fortunately it wasn't a full break, and healed without surgery in a few months. Hurt like hell when it happened.

I can't imagine having a clavicle removed, as it's one of the major structural elements connecting the arm to the body, but according to teh Googles it is sometimes done:

 

[TripperMike]

Healing quickly isn't near as important as healing properly. Just don't take too long though, I look forward to seeing you again at another event down the road.

BTW your fingers aren't broke are they? You know they increased the number of riders for the BL8 (I know you're thinking about rides n rallys in that fog of pain you're in). You'll need to break in the new bike, whatever it'll be, good and proper some how.

 

[HelzBelz]

Welcome back Matt. I engaged my ABS twice in the first two hours of that Rally. The second time coming face to face with a bad *** (literally 12 feet or so ) Buck that was just staring me down in the middle of the road, with his lady behind him..until I honked my OEM horn.

Very glad you made it through. Lesser men might not have made it.

 

[Ignacio]

Day 13: Visited the orthopedist today after an x-ray earlier this week after edema has gone down and the bones just aren't going to heal. So, I'm scheduled for surgery Monday to have a plate installed. SInce the clavicle is broken in two spots they're likely going to either grab some donor bone from a hip or use some cadaver bone and juice it up with some marrow from my hip. So, shoulder's going to be cut open and spend another night in the hospital--planned of course.

Ribs are better than I thought. I cracked a couple of ribs years ago and they're sore, but not as sore as I would have expected.

Motorcycle was totalled....not even close. I'm working a couple of details on aftermarket parts and Aerostich before I settle. But, essentially, I'm going to be starting over this Fall completely FROM SCRATCH. The fuel cell was destroyed even.

And if anybody is curious what a helicopter cost to ride about 40 miles? $45K!

I'll be submitting for insurance and everything...it will be interesting what I pay in the end. I did do my first $50 co-pay today.....neither of seemed totally sure if it was right or not.

I expect about Tuesday next week I'll be able to do my last bit of real healing as I spend my last weekend with two bones that aren't healing right now. No arm wrestling for a while.

 

[Denver_FJR]

There's easier ways to get lamb chops!

Heal up!

Hey, who's going to make the TU sheep icon for the sig?

 

[escapefjrtist]

Thanks for the update Matt. Glad you're able to write about it, and can start another bike build from scratch this fall.

--G

 

[HotRodZilla]

Replacing the bike isn't the *****. Re-farkling the bike is what would piss me off. That's a lot of work that has to be re-done. Sorry Matt. Maybe you can get that done while you're "taking it easy."

 

[Ignacio]

Replacing the bike isn't the *****. Re-farkling the bike is what would piss me off. That's a lot of work that has to be re-done. Sorry Matt. Maybe you can get that done while you're "taking it easy."

I figure it's a bit like a Jedi having to rebuild a light saber. The get off was so violent to the fuel cell that it ripped open at the base. I think it's going to be therapeutic to start from scratch.

 

[Hudson]

sorry to hear about your get-off Matt. Too many PNW crashes lately. Hope the operation goes well. If you have the SPOT you should absolutely opt for the medivac insurance, which is like 10 bucks a year added to your spot charge.

 

[TomInPA]

I have known some others that had a crazy bill for the helicopter ride. It's nearly impossible to be covered for everywhere you ride, but there are some policies out there that are very reasonable and have reciprocity with other flight rescues. Crazy!

Good luck with the surgery and the fact you're looking forward to a new bike is great to hear.

 

[Auburn]

Matt, glad to hear you are on the road to recovery. Good to hear they are going to plate the collar bone. I broke mine racing and let the doctors talk me out of plating it. Wish I had it plated as it did not heal right and the lower part was pulled out of place which they did not catch in the xrays.

 

[Bugnatr]

45k is a figure I have heard before when talking to others about Hilo rides to the hospital.

 

[beemerdons]

45k is a figure I have heard before when talking to others about Hilo rides to the hospital.

Right on Dougie Bear, my Helo from Yavapai County, Arizona down to Maricopa County, Phoenix was also $45K; I think they make it a Standard Rate! JSNS!

 

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