Returning from a nasty injury.

JmckR

JmckR

Active member
So this is actually regarding DH mountain biking but it definitely applies to skiing too...

I fractured my neck C4&5 along with my T1 in Canada in September, on a stupid drop with not enough speed. Flew over the handlebars and landed on my head. Full on Jerry of the day stuff.

Luckily for me I had no deficits, I actually walked into the hospital with a very sore and stiff neck. However, I was amazingly lucky to avoid the wheelchair, it was actually quite a nasty break, really messed it all up.

I flew back to the UK and thankfully they decided against surgery and the healing is going well. It's been around 10 weeks and I am spending most of the day now without my aspen collar and have good range of movement.

Now I've got to decide what my ski season will look like and should I get out on the bike again soon. On the one hand, these sports are what I live for and I can't imagine never doing it again. On the other - I've been given a second chance here and maybe I shouldn't throw it away by doing something stupid again. My neck bones are likely never going to be as strong as they once were and one silly crash 'could' put in a wheelchair, is it worth it? One thing I want to point out, I'm not sure if I even want to ski or bike if I can't send it - it's in my nature to push myself and just cruising around the blue runs at 26 years old (peak age) doesn't seem that appealing. Maybe I should take this year off, but I'm already depressed and miserable sitting around at home in the UK watching the snow fall around the world, especially the resort I was planning on instructing at this season in Canada.

I'm at crossroad now. Has anyone been through this thought process? I.e. the emotional, decision making side of it?

I need advice.
 
I think this kind of reaction and thought process is pretty common among those who get injured. Don’t quit. These sports are a huge part of your life and you will be miserable without them. Take the year off if you have to but don’t quit. You said you don’t know if you want to ride if you can’t even push yourself, but taking it easy and cruising can still provide the same joy.
 
Dont quit doing what you love. I agree, an injury as yours is devastating and hard to recover from and it does open your eyes in different ways but dont give up on something you truly love doing. Take some time, let your body recover before you go thrashing it again. Take the season off and tell yourself you will come back stronger and better the next season. I know it is challenging to sit back and watch everyone else or the weather fly but it is worth it in the end. You do have a long life ahead of you and lots more times to go have tons of fun skiing and biking, just give your body the time it needs. Concentrate on the physical recovery and the mental will follow right behind it. Time, its what your body needs.
 
I went through shoulder reconstruction about 4 months ago(serious but not as serious as breaking your neck) and I definitely felt similar feelings. Getting really hurt and being told these scary things about the potential of re-injuring yourself is daunting. Start small, know your limitations and grow from there. No reason to stop. Just grow into it again. You’ll find a new flow.
 
The dude in this video Andreas Fransson had a terrible cervical spine injury and rehabbed to the point of skiing insane lines again. RIP as he ended up dying in another avalanche but it goes to show that you can bounce back from this op. Take a year off to strengthen your neck if that's what you need.

 
Injuries suck but could maybe ski groomers or be real conservative, being up there is always better than not.
 
Well, a friend of mine broke his neck because of a failed backflip. Now he is back on ski as before. Normally broken bones are stronger than other bones. If they breake, they never breake at the same part again. If you fail, another part of your neck will breake and probably it would break anyway. Take your time to rehab. If you feel good go back on skis and send it :)
 
Maybe for this season pivot and focus on a different aspect of your hobbies. Like with skiing focus on getting into the backcountry or doing longer trail rides or bikepacking. Then the season after when you're stronger start sending a bit more again
 
topic:TheMailMan said:
So this is actually regarding DH mountain biking but it definitely applies to skiing too...

I fractured my neck C4&5 along with my T1 in Canada in September, on a stupid drop with not enough speed. Flew over the handlebars and landed on my head. Full on Jerry of the day stuff.

Luckily for me I had no deficits, I actually walked into the hospital with a very sore and stiff neck. However, I was amazingly lucky to avoid the wheelchair, it was actually quite a nasty break, really messed it all up.

I flew back to the UK and thankfully they decided against surgery and the healing is going well. It's been around 10 weeks and I am spending most of the day now without my aspen collar and have good range of movement.

Now I've got to decide what my ski season will look like and should I get out on the bike again soon. On the one hand, these sports are what I live for and I can't imagine never doing it again. On the other - I've been given a second chance here and maybe I shouldn't throw it away by doing something stupid again. My neck bones are likely never going to be as strong as they once were and one silly crash 'could' put in a wheelchair, is it worth it? One thing I want to point out, I'm not sure if I even want to ski or bike if I can't send it - it's in my nature to push myself and just cruising around the blue runs at 26 years old (peak age) doesn't seem that appealing. Maybe I should take this year off, but I'm already depressed and miserable sitting around at home in the UK watching the snow fall around the world, especially the resort I was planning on instructing at this season in Canada.

I'm at crossroad now. Has anyone been through this thought process? I.e. the emotional, decision making side of it?

I need advice.
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear this happened. Glad you ended up walking. I had a pretty bad head injury when I was 14, took me out of action for over a year. One of the hardest years of my life for sure. I think the injury lasted so long do some mental health issues which definitely didn't help with the injury. Plus, depression+no skiing = worse depression.

The year I came back from my injury I was really timid with skiing, I took it easy, and just tried to enjoy it. I'll admit, I was scared of re-injury every time I got to the top of a run. I just didn't want the same thing to happen again.

The year after my first ski season back, I tore my ACL skateboarding and once again missed an entire season of skiing. At that point, I made it my number one priority to recover, because I knew without skiing I would be unhappy. After recovering and doing strength training for nearly a year, I finally was able to ski again my junior year of high school. That season, I went as hard as I could. I put 100% into skiing because it was what made me the most happy. I figured, I have to put all the effort into skiing as I can, because one day I might not be able to anymore. Take it easy, try not to get too drunk, and take calculated risks. Have fun, I wish you the best with no injuries.
 
14077058:beenjammin669_ said:
I went through shoulder reconstruction about 4 months ago(serious but not as serious as breaking your neck) and I definitely felt similar feelings. Getting really hurt and being told these scary things about the potential of re-injuring yourself is daunting. Start small, know your limitations and grow from there. No reason to stop. Just grow into it again. You’ll find a new flow.
Click to expand...

I had shoulder reconstruction too around the same time. Its getting close to the time when I can ski again and I'm for sure feeling pretty tentative
 
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