Comments on: How to Survive a Derby Injury

By: Booty Quake

Booty Quake — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 01:40:17 +0000

WTH – I appreciate your clarification. You’re right – taking the meds BEFORE you need them / before the pain is too great is for sure important. I think I was thinking more of people who might tend to become complacent and too accustomed to the meds, to their detriment. Thanks for your comments!

By: Melissa BeeRawler Morrissey

Melissa BeeRawler Morrissey — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 20:36:24 +0000

Talk…..to coaches, teammates and anyone else that will listen. Get out the wrenching emotions that go with the injury. It helps a lot with the mental side and keeps you sane! And if you feel up to it go watch training, ask for a ride if needed. You are still part of the team and you will learn a lot (and help) just by watching and giving feedback to teammates.

By: Whiskey Tango Hellcat

Whiskey Tango Hellcat — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 20:19:41 +0000

Please add a caveat to getting off the pain meds: take them when you need them, THEN wean yourself off. As a person who had chronic pain /before/ my injury, I found that trying to “tough it out” and “suck it up” was really bad for my physical and mental health. I was anxious, depressed and couldn’t sleep. When I broke my tib/fib, my pain medication was increased, and then when I was ready (after about a month), decreased back to where it was before.

Also, watch that depression! It was really hard, having “athlete” and “skater” integral to my identity; my sense of self took a hit when I was injured. I was really afraid that I would never be the same as before. I recovered, I am going to be okay, but I really had some rough times, there! I’m so glad my teammates were making sure I was okay!

By: Jenni (Gwen O'Fear) Wood

Jenni (Gwen O'Fear) Wood — Fri, 01 May 2015 21:36:00 +0000

Very helpful, thank you! At 51 I broke my ankle in 3 spots (trying my AWESOME new outdoor wheels!). I’d never broken anything before, my Derby Community has been awesome, as have Friends and Family. Great advice for ALL, as far as how best to GIVE and RECEIVE help!

By: FannieT

FannieT — Tue, 02 Jul 2013 03:32:54 +0000

I shattered my collarbone last October (the photo above gives me a bit of a flashback, jeepers). So much good advice in here. I didn’t enjoy the painkillers and got off them as fast as I could. I think staying active is the best advice. I was on a strict restriction not to jump or even jog for 3 months, but I made myself hop on a stationary bike/elliptical to keep my legs moving.
I was able to go back to derby less than 4 months after surgery, and I am now stronger than ever, due in part (I think) to making exercise (outside of practice) part of my routine while I was recovering.

By: Scar-lette

Scar-lette — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 04:20:39 +0000

Oh…and ice has been the best pain killer for me. Cold therapy packs are my jam right now.

By: Scar-lette

Scar-lette — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 04:19:16 +0000

Yes to all of this!! I snapped my ankle on 5/13 skating outside and it’s like you’ve been observing what’s working and what’s not during my recovery. I’m vacillating between rock star and whiny butt, but I think a lot of that had to do with the pain meds. If I had known it didn’t hurt that bad, I would have quit them the day after surgery. I had to wait 10 days from ER to OR and stayed doped per the ER doc and everyone around me telling me to “stay ahead of the pain”. It didn’t mix well with my chemistry and I was way more emotional than normal. I have tried to work on core and upper body, but have been sucked in to the TV monster. Trying to break that habit, but just after this next show. ;)

This is fantastic advice that I hope none of your readers need anytime soon.