Season ending injury..already.

[Christy]

Oof, having to wait for surgery sounds very frustrating.

Are there any shorter getaways or proper vacations that you can take before you are 100%? To have something to look forward to and to keep your spirits up. Friends you've been meaning to visit, for example. Or maybe you like the beach but it's not as important as skiing, so you don't typically go. Obviously you'll need some mobility, but not as much as skiing. A car-based foodie weekend in LA or a long weekend of seeing shows in NYC or baseball spring training in AZ (these are ransom, obviously you'd need to think of your own equivalent that doesn't rely on a lot of physical effort).

When I've been injured I've tried to take advantage of the free time to do the things I always mean to do, but don't make time for. Learning or improving on a language; visiting cultural institutions where I live. That sort of thing. I've long been a volunteer with animals and have volunteered to do admin type stuff while I recovered. If you don't already volunteer somewhere, that can give a sense of purpose, and there is always some org that needs admin type stuff done.

 

[Iwannaski]

I’m so sorry. Just sending good vibes.

maybe like Nintendo switch sports?

 

[echo_VT]

Oof, having to wait for surgery sounds very frustrating.

Are there any shorter getaways or proper vacations that you can take before you are 100%? To have something to look forward to and to keep your spirits up. Friends you've been meaning to visit, for example. Or maybe you like the beach but it's not as important as skiing, so you don't typically go. Obviously you'll need some mobility, but not as much as skiing. A car-based foodie weekend in LA or a long weekend of seeing shows in NYC or baseball spring training in AZ (these are ransom, obviously you'd need to think of your own equivalent that doesn't rely on a lot of physical effort).

When I've been injured I've tried to take advantage of the free time to do the things I always mean to do, but don't make time for. Learning or improving on a language; visiting cultural institutions where I live. That sort of thing. I've long been a volunteer with animals and have volunteered to do admin type stuff while I recovered. If you don't already volunteer somewhere, that can give a sense of purpose, and there is always some org that needs admin type stuff done.

I really like these suggestions.

so sorry @SwimSusan what a bummer. Especially when so much of the identity is being physical. Hang in there. And yes to all the goals and motivations and honestly the distractions that can allow you to continue to grow as a person. Please keep us updated on how you’re doing and what you end up doing…!

 

[beane]

That really sucks. I'm sorry. Don't rush into surgery though. I destroyed my knee Jan 2 of 23 and had surgery 2/9 and even then I think it would have been smarter to do a little pre-hab and wait a bit longer. (google prehab guys). Find some seated hobbies (puzzles? crafts?), make PT your job. It's a long road but the more you put into the PT the better your outcome will be. I'd also recommend finding an ACL specialist PT if it ends up being a torn acl.

 

[floatingyardsale]

Oh, you poor kid. Seconding the recommendation for prehab and the prehab guys. Most people wind up with surgery, but there is no need to *rush* this surgery. It can wait until you've had time to recover a little and strengthen that leg, so don't stress about not getting in quickly.

If you, as a cyclist, have a bike trainer, get on it as soon as you can. Getting your full range of motion back is very important, and the bike is an excellent tool for flexion.

 

[mintzcole]

Just hear today I feel for you. I had knee surgery on left knee last summer. Tried skiing at Snowshoe this past week, caught an edge, and now probably need surgery on my right knee…

 

[liquidfeet]

Just hear today I feel for you. I had knee surgery on left knee last summer. Tried skiing at Snowshoe this past week, caught an edge, and now probably need surgery on my right knee…

Oh no! So so sorry to hear of this very bad luck. Maybe not as bad as you think?

 

[skibum4ever]

Just hear today I feel for you. I had knee surgery on left knee last summer. Tried skiing at Snowshoe this past week, caught an edge, and now probably need surgery on my right knee…

Sorry to hear this @mintzcole.

Please keep us posted after you see your orthopod.

 

[badger]

Last season at the beginning of February I broke my Proximal Humerus. It's basically a broken shoulder.
The accident occurred while skiing in flat light. It was just a weird change in snow and a drop I failed to see and I was projected onto a catwalk of all things............
Anyway, an abrupt end to my season. I fortunately did not require surgery. My days were filled with my work which is at home, in the medical field. I just typed with one hand. I am not much better with two , truth be told. Sleeping on my back for three months was the worst part.

The interesting positives were:

There will be a next year for skiing. The clever ingenuity we develop to overcome the most basic of tasks. Like, getting into and out of a bathtub or shower to prevent slipping.
New ways to put on clothing. How to open jars, cans, and wine bottles (especially wine bottles), with one arm. Brushing your hair. And driving with one arm.
There are many people in the world that live with disabilities and have all the tricks/methods as part of their everyday lives. For most of us, an injured limb will recover quite well. Keep an honest expectation for the time it will take...do NOT rush yourself.

I did not go to physical therapy. That was my own choice and I never felt PT would benefit me any more than what I could accomplish on my own
.
A knee injury is worse because your body weight is moved and supported upon the knees. Your recovery will likely include PT. But as far as managing your downtime, it's always best to not regret the things you are missing, but to engage the healthy part of you, knowing you are in control and will get past the current obstacles, while gaining some great perspectives along the way.

 

[BReeves215]

Last season at the beginning of February I broke my Proximal Humerus. It's basically a broken shoulder.
The accident occurred while skiing in flat light. It was just a weird change in snow and a drop I failed to see and I was projected onto a catwalk of all things............
Anyway, an abrupt end to my season. I fortunately did not require surgery. My days were filled with my work which is at home, in the medical field. I just typed with one hand. I am not much better with two , truth be told. Sleeping on my back for three months was the worst part.

The interesting positives were:

There will be a next year for skiing. The clever ingenuity we develop to overcome the most basic of tasks. Like, getting into and out of a bathtub or shower to prevent slipping.
New ways to put on clothing. How to open jars, cans, and wine bottles (especially wine bottles), with one arm. Brushing your hair. And driving with one arm.
There are many people in the world that live with disabilities and have all the tricks/methods as part of their everyday lives. For most of us, an injured limb will recover quite well. Keep an honest expectation for the time it will take...do NOT rush yourself.

I did not go to physical therapy. That was my own choice and I never felt PT would benefit me any more than what I could accomplish on my own
.
A knee injury is worse because your body weight is moved and supported upon the knees. Your recovery will likely include PT. But as far as managing your downtime, it's always best to not regret the things you are missing, but to engage the healthy part of you, knowing you are in control and will get past the current obstacles, while gaining some great perspectives along the way.

I really needed to see this post this morning. I fell at Taos during Ski Week 5 weeks ago and sustained a Tibia plateau fracture. Thankfully it was non-displaced so no surgery. Before getting that great news, I was trying to put a positive spin by telling myself that most people my age (58) have already had one or more surgeries, so I could muster through if required. I’ve been doing PT in person 2 days a week and home exercises every day. The worst of the pain subsided within 2 weeks, and now it’s just the “pain” of having to navigate around the house without weight bearing, being struck in the house because I can’t drive, and relying on other people for the simplest things like carrying groceries. On the positive side: learning to do things on one leg, taking time to sit outside and enjoy the change of seasons, finding out which people really show up for you (including first and foremost the Diva crew who summoned ski patrol immediately, packed all my stuff, fed me, kept me company, and ensured I made my flight home), practicing patience, and taking the long view, as Badger said. I’m thankful for this supportive community. I’m hopeful I’ll be walking at least to some extent when my son graduates high school on May 17. Yes, I am the oldest mother of a high school senior in the history of the world. I’m interested to read more about how others have tackled the mental piece of getting back on skis after injury.

 

[AJM]

I really needed to see this post this morning. I fell at Taos during Ski Week 5 weeks ago and sustained a Tibia plateau fracture. Thankfully it was non-displaced so no surgery. Before getting that great news, I was trying to put a positive spin by telling myself that most people my age (58) have already had one or more surgeries, so I could muster through if required. I’ve been doing PT in person 2 days a week and home exercises every day. The worst of the pain subsided within 2 weeks, and now it’s just the “pain” of having to navigate around the house without weight bearing, being struck in the house because I can’t drive, and relying on other people for the simplest things like carrying groceries. On the positive side: learning to do things on one leg, taking time to sit outside and enjoy the change of seasons, finding out which people really show up for you (including first and foremost the Diva crew who summoned ski patrol immediately, packed all my stuff, fed me, kept me company, and ensured I made my flight home), practicing patience, and taking the long view, as Badger said. I’m thankful for this supportive community. I’m hopeful I’ll be walking at least to some extent when my son graduates high school on May 17. Yes, I am the oldest mother of a high school senior in the history of the world. I’m interested to read more about how others have tackled the mental piece of getting back on skis after injury.

As someone who also had a TPF (and a bunch of other damage) back in 2022 I can confidently say that you will get back on the skis and the magic word is "Rehab", rehab like your life depends on it !!! I was back skiing 9 months post accident but I did switch out my beloved Sheeva 9's for something even softer and narrower, I also went shorter in length. Its not easy but If you can get your body as strong as you can then you can have faith in it and the mental stuff is easier to tackle. Wishing you all the best and if you want to reach out via PM I'm happy to go into more detail xx

 

[badger]

@BReeves215 , Yes, you will be back!.

It's a fascinating journey as you cross through the line between injury and recovery. So much resilience, discovery and strength.. I am 71. I do not look it nor do I move like many at that age. Must be genetic?

I will say that my first time back on skis this season was interesting. My first few days at Wolf Creek in Colorado were meant to be simple, easier terrain to start. I felt no real hesitation, and did not expect to. I was also on skis brand new to me. The skiing was fine and fun. When I returned to Colorado first week of February using the same new skis, I could not ski worth %%$%#@#. Snow was old, light was flat. My insecurities reared their ugly head , and my skiing was just awful. Like an advanced beginner I was skidding almost every turn. Mind numbing...

I then decided that the new skis were part of the issue. Decided then and there to use my old skis . I was almost back to my ski self. It has taken me several more runs to build the confidence I'd had before, but I have to say...some of my best ski days ever, have been post injury.

wishing you the best!