No more gory surgery for me

[Littlepeahead]

At last I got the sign off from the surgeon today that I won't require any more surgery on my elbow. After 4 operations, a year of physio and about £600 of my own money spent on the costs that BUPA wouldn't cover because my surgeon is so expensive I'm finally fixed.

And all because of something slippery on a Thai mountain road switchback at less than 30mph.

But it's not all bad...

My hair is now much more managable since I had it cut a lot shorter after being unable to dry it one handed (though it's still what some would call a bit ginger)

I'm an expert at using chopsticks

I can take my bra off one handed (I know most of you lads have that talent already but it took me ages to master it)

I have quite a cool scar

It gave me an excuse to go back to Thailand for another holiday

My surgeon turned out to be one of the nicest people I have ever met and now we go to watch cricket together - and he gets the beers in.

[keith_d]

So the amputation was a complete success??

Glad you're finally sorted, though I'm not sure about the cricket watching bit.

Keith.

[BanannaMan]

Glad to hear you're doing well now!
Sounds like you've been through quite a lot.
Just wondering, have you regained full use of your arm now?






Worried somewhat about the 4 operations bit as the wifey is having surgury on her arm/elbow next Tuesday.
1st (and hopefully only) operation will cost £1300 beyond what her medical insurance covers.
American healthcare.

Good to hear LPH

Its good finally getting sorted - think I have another 3 weeks of physio before my last check then hopefully that should be me ( this time)

also nice to hear you got a buddy out of it - thats a good silver lining if you ask me

Bananaman - ouch i hope that they do a decent job for that price!

[andrewsmith]

Glad to here the LPH.

When you back on the bike?

[Bluepete]

Great news!

High five!

(you can get your arm up above your head can't you? )

Pete

[maviczap]

Glad to hear you've been fixed

Does your elbow have special powers

[Littlepeahead]

Originally Posted by BanannaMan

Just wondering, have you regained full use of your arm now?

Worried somewhat about the 4 operations bit as the wifey is having surgury on her arm/elbow next Tuesday.
1st (and hopefully only) operation will cost £1300 beyond what her medical insurance covers.
American healthcare.

I have got full movement back. But only because the physio at work who is also a friend saw me every day he was in last summer and once or twice a week in the winter. I may have whinged and moaned at the time but it's thanks to him I have no long term movement restrictions.

First op was to have the plate fitted. Second op was only needed as I got squashed on the tube in the doors on the way to a Soho Massive meet and the plate got ripped out of the bone, and the bone further fractured so I had to have another plate fitted and a bone graft. Third op was to have the plate removed 6 months later - this wasn't medically necessary, it could have stayed in but my leathers weren't comfortable. The surgeon had a feeling I was going to be awkward so he had fitted removable screws. The last op was where some of the fracture binding was coming loose so he opened it up, removed the cords and cleaned up the scar so it cosmetically looks a lot better. He also did something around the nerves so they weren't so sensitive to make riding easier.

In all it cost more than £10k so I can't really complain at paying a few hundred myself. My surgeon did an amazing job on a very tricky break. He has a very good reputation and has fixed up plenty of professional footballers, cricketers, golfers and rugby players and is currently advising the MOD on the military hospitals in Germany to raise the standards for our servicemen. I did chuckle when I got a text from him the night before I flew back to Thailand for my second biking trip to say 'Take care of yourself and don't fall off'.