Did my cardiac test today, got to 16 1/2 minutes on the Bruce..Had probably another minute, but bad warm up and just got leg heavy, HR max only hit 139, so had about 15 more beats to max…New record for 70 division though!!
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Your test sounded a little more aggressive than mine.
So the healing isn’t going as hoped for - Surgery was on Oct 2nd. I had a follow-up with the surgeon on Monday as there is an odd to the Occupational Therapist and myself bump on the top of my hand and my ring finger knuckle is depressed. I also have been having random slight pain in my ring finger PIP joint. They took x-rays and my ring finger fracture isn’t healed and has moved 20* since the last x-ray in December.
I got a CT Scan and this is the plain english translation of it per CoPilot:
- Fourth Metacarpal (Ring Finger Bone)
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The fracture is mostly not healed (“mostly ununited”).
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The bone is still angulated and shows dorsal bowing (bent backward).
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There is some subtle lucency (a dark area on CT that can suggest loosening) around the distal fixation screw, meaning that screw may be slightly loosening.
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- Fifth Metacarpal (Pinky Bone)
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The fracture has been fixed with a plate and screws.
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It shows partial healing with some new bone forming (“partial bony bridging”).
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But the fracture is still not completely healed—the fracture line is still visible.
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No signs of hardware loosening around the plate or screws in the fifth metacarpal.
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So I have a follow-up message into the surgeon:
- What questions should I ask?
- Has anyone else had non-unions of bones following surgery? What was the course of action afterwards?
- Is it worth getting a second opinion?
Its been a not great week as diagnosed with an inguinal hernia last Friday. On the plus side my weight is down to my goal weight (185 from 242 when I started dieting), so even if I have to get off the bike for a while, I’ll still be faster this summer then in recent years.
I would ask the surgeon if a bone stimulator would help and be ok to use. You may (probably will) have to pay a lot out of pocket for it.
I would ask why the surgeon thinks it isn’t healing.
I’m sorry it isn’t healing … and about the hernia. Ugh.
Keep us updated, ok?
Sorry to hear that it’s not healing. I would definitely get a second opinion.
Snapped collar bone last Sunday. Injury from 2019 that never healed (non-union) properly. Doctor was surprised it lasted so long. Only thing I ever noticed as a small ache after +4k swim sessions. Getting surgery this time where they are taking bone from hip otherwise can’t guarantee union.
US insurance is odd. The “tray” is not covered by my insurance which is a a couple of US$k …. and random other costs are split here and there….. wasted 1/2 a day doing pre op procedures and paying different departments separately..
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My pre-op work last year ended up being more expensive than my actual surgery. Hernia surgery ~$21k, pre-op (pre-op dr. visit, ER visit, Cardiologist visit x2, multiple EKGs, echo, stress test, multiple blood work test) ~$25k.
When is your surgery? I’m sorry it never healed and that you have to have another surgery.
Thanks. Surgery is next Friday but a guy contacted me this afternoon to advise me that he could get me in on Monday with a Dr that specializes with athletes / bike injuries. The surgery for Friday is with a reputable ortho doctor. Not sure what to do now.
I had a fall last Sunday which is when I broke it again. The original break was with a bunch of other injuries and the clavicle was the lest of my worries so never noticed it not healing properly and never had any real issues with it.
Titanium is your friend 
what did you decide about seeing the other MD? how are you?
Hi. Sticking with the original plan. Moving the surgery up earlier wasn’t feasible logistically. I’m also going ahead with the bone graft.
Looking back, I heard a loud snap before I even hit the ground, so it was only a matter of time before it gave out completely. Not sure how I got six years out of it.
I asked about just using titanium without the graft. He explained that since there was never a proper union, if this happened again, the titanium would bear all the stress and eventually bend out of place.
The bone graft recovery is meant to be worse than clavicle. Still only January and main race of the year is September so might as well have no regrets.
yeah take the time to get it fixed perfectly now. Let us know how you are if you think of it, ok?
I think you had surgery Fri. How are you?
Doing good. Thanks for asking.
The doctor looked at my x-rays again after I went into him last week and agreed that the non-union was more likely the result of a botched recovery than anything biological. I didn’t have to do the bone graft in the end. That was a huge relief.
So just have plate and pins and getting used to it. Back just walking as exercise for now.
Think I had a huge forced taper a few days before the surgery which left me very fluey. Had to explain to anesthesiologist in pre-op as I didn’t think I was sick etc.
Hospital staff all great. Not ideal clogging up hospital space for a bike accident esp seeing all the more serious cases around.
glad you’re doing well and didn’t have to have the bone graft!
keep updating us!
How do you feel today? Are you in a sling or anything? Are you sleeping ok?
Feeling better today thanks. Yes in a sling. Finished pain meds yesterday and also removed the bandages. Scar not too bad and nor messy. Still on antibiotics which seem strong and a bit rough on the stomach.