Arm in plaster, training through it?

YellaBelly

I'm in pot up to the elbow for four weeks with a fractured scaphoid, just as race season is getting under way. I'm looking for any training advice really, to try and avoid losing all the hard work I've done through the winter.

Once the bruising and tenderness has gone I'm pretty sure I will be able to ride on the hoods of my road bike (I'm an MTB rider really) to keep the legs ticking over, either turbo or quiet roads. If my wrist starts to hurt I can stop riding, and I'm not worried about falling off the road bike. If I'm just out on training rides it shouldn't be an issue.

But I don't know if I should aim to keep up the high intensity work I've been doing and stick to my training plan as best as possible, or switch back to some base for 4 weeks as I won't be racing. My biggest concern is sweating up inside the cast which could be a problem. Not only am I meant to keep it dry, but it might start to stink!

Has anyone been through this? Any advice? Thanks

BrandonA

Do you intend to sweat? I wouldn't want a sweaty arm inside a plaster.

BrandonA

Do you intend to sweat? I wouldn't want a sweaty arm inside a plaster.

me-109

One of my riding buddies found it hard to ride out of the saddle, pulling on the hoods, after having his cast off. That was a broken wrist/forearm though.

If the cast wraps around your thumb it may be difficult and uncomfortable to ride with the cast, never mind sweating in it.

shazzz

I had my wrist in plaster and stayed on the turbo for four weeks. Lots of sweetspot and threshold work. Can't see how it could be safe to ride on the road as only one hand could operate a brake lever. I can't imagine it would be much fun either.
I did up to 90 min sessions on the turbo (with a good fan blasting cold air at me). Got sweaty but no problems with the plaster shrinking or the like. It was starting to smell pretty bad after four weeks though!

craker

Just back from breaking my hand in January .. More painful coming out of plaster than going in, don't expect to be back to form straightaway. My mate broke his hand the day after me, but he's proper hardcore and has been running hard (1.16 in the Bath half with a cast on..) the hospital are offering to change his cast as often as he wants as it does get smelly pretty quickly. Turbo work if you're keen on that sort of thing, don't risk the road.

YellaBelly

Thanks for the input. Some of that's really helpful and gives me something to think about.

I bought a big fan last night to reduce sweating as much as I can on the turbo, good to know others have kept going any not had any big problems. As for road riding, fair point about it being safe. I've had a bit of a sit on the bike and gripping the hoods isn't such a problem. At the moment I wouldn't want to go out as things are still a bit tender, and whilst I can squeeze the brake it's not easy. I certainly won't be riding outdoors unless I feel fit and safe to do so.

Hopefully recovery once the cast is off won't be too tough. It's below the elbow and I am using all my fingers and thumb already. The wrist joint will be stiff but if I was up to the shoulder it would be much worse. I know from experience....

phreak

BrandonA wrote:

Do you intend to sweat? I wouldn't want a sweaty arm inside a plaster.

That's the main issue. I had a cast on a few years ago and did a lot of turbo work during that period and the only real concern was the sweating. Once you get that it'll start to smell and itch quite badly. It's best to keep it as dry as possible.

davidof

I commuted into work when I had my arm in plaster (well plastic stuff that they use now) for a number of weeks. I wasn't allowed to drive so cycling was the only way to get around. I mountain biked a flat trail of about 7 miles to work. It was ok but steering is difficult. Not sure I would have ridden on the road much though.

Turbo should be fine.

manxshred

Use a vacuum on your arm after your workout. Suck through the pores all over which sucks in fresh air and cools everything down drying it out.

I did that and my cast was only slightly smelly after 4 weeks

shockedsoshocked

Soft pipe lagging is a must on the bars too.

YellaBelly

Top tips! Love it thanks guys.