As I explained in detail in this post, I had a serious bicycle accident on April 21 while riding in a campground near Augusta, Georgia. It's been a month since I wrote that post and five weeks since my accident, so I wanted to write an update on how I've been doing since then. Most importantly, the folks at the ER misread my jaw CT scan. They told me that I had no jaw fractures, and I initially believed them. When I saw my primary-care doctor, she agreed that since my bite was still seriously out of whack, I needed to see an oral surgeon ASAP and referred me. By the time I could get in, it had been 2.5 weeks since the accident, not an ideal situation. Had I not been misdiagnosed initially, I would have been able to get this taken care of much sooner, which is highly recommended in the case of jaw fractures. And yes, my jaw is indeed fractured. The oral surgeon took panoramic 3D x-rays and confirmed three jaw fractures: bilateral condyle fractures and a parasymphyseal fracture on the left of the centerline of my lower mandible. The condyle fractures were causing the severe malocclusion of my bite (only two teeth meeting on the left, none on the right) and open bite (like a severe overbite).
While doing research on jaw fractures, I learned that the mandible (lower jaw) is the tenth most often fractured bone in the human body. It is commonly broken in sports injuries, like mine, car accidents, and from blows to the face in fights. I found several blogs from other cyclists who'd suffered jaw fractures, which helped me feel not so alone plus provided much information on surgery and recovery. My oral surgeon recommended closed fixation and jaw wiring. I was relieved, as one of the options had been open fixation, which involves cutting into the skin on both sides of the Condyle area and making the repairs from the outside. That would leave even more scars on my face, and the healing process would be longer. With closed reduction, no incisions are made. Rather, the surgeon physically manipulates the jaw back into place, then wires it shut so bone healing can begin and the muscles of the face can re-adapt to the correct position. This would be done under sedation so I would not feel any pain (thank the gods!) My surgery was scheduled for 3.5 weeks after the accident. This complicated matters a bit as my facial muscles had already tightened up and were pulling my mandible rearward quite a bit, making the surgeon's job more difficult. Fortunately, with some effort, my surgeon was able to massage and work the muscles to manipulate my mandible back in place. Although no actual fixation of the parasymphyseal fracture was performed, he could also feel it come back into alignment. Yes! When I woke up from the surgery, my surgeon informed me that he was very pleased with how things had gone. He told me that he was able to get my teeth aligned on both sides before wiring the jaw shut, so I should have a good result. He reiterated that I will probably need to have orthodontia (i.e., braces) to complete the work. Even so, I was very relieved! I've been wired now for just over a week and will get the wires cut exactly two weeks post-surgery. They will be replaced with tight elastics and gradually changed to looser elastics. At some point, the arch bars that hold the wires and elastics will be removed. I guess at that point I'll know for sure if I'll have to have braces on my teeth. It would be wonderful not to need them, especially given our nomadic lifestyle. Braces obviously require a longer commitment and frequent visits that would likely keep us stuck in one spot for much longer than we prefer. But I'll do what it takes to ensure full healing and correction of this injury. Post-surgery, my entire lower face was very swollen, and I was in a lot of pain, mostly from the screws in my jaw that hold the arch bars, top and bottom, into place. I started out alternating Norco (hydrocodone with tylenol) with ibuprofen every three hours, Over the days, the swelling continues to decrease, and the pain has lessened to "discomfort". I'm only taking one Norco daily, right before bed, and the rest of the time alternating Tylenol and Ibuprofen, stretching the time between doses a bit more each day. Since I'm wired, I'm on a liquid diet, and Barry has been great about making all my smoothies, soups, and milkshakes in a blender. Together we've come up with some healthy and delicious concoctions. We're using whey protein powder, Greek yogurt, peanut butter, fruit, and veggies to ensure I keep up my health and weight while on this restricted diet. Once I go to elastics, I'll be able to start eating soft foods again and gradually add more and more foods to my daily menus. Joy! From other blogs I've read, the last foods I'll be able to add are hard or chewy foods such as apples, nuts, pizza, and other chewy breads or meats. Pizza is going to be the hardest for me; we always crave what we can't have most of all. I am not allowed any alcohol while wired. That makes sense since I'm still taking NSAIDs and Tylenol, and the combination is not good with alcohol under any circumstances. I guess the other reason is to avoid any clouding of judgment that might lead to me making a bad decision, like deciding to cut all my wires! I haven't had any desire for alcohol anyway; perhaps that is part of the body's healing process? I expect I'll enjoy the first glass of wine, though! Not for the faint of heart, I'll post a few photos taken pre- and post-surgery. Because of the screws and wires in my mouth, I can't smile at all now, and that is frustrating for me -- and for Barry, who misses my smiling face!
Since we won't be traveling for awhile as I continue to go to medical appointments and concentrate on healing, posts to this blog will be pretty infrequent for awhile. Hope you'll stick with us as we do plan to travel again just as soon we can!
10 Comments
As many times as I have hit the deck on bikes, I've never broken anything. Happy I am about not breaking the jaw, that just looks awful.
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Emily
5/26/2017 01:58:29 pm
Yes, you are lucky, my dear! Barry has broken his collarbone, and I've broken my pelvis in three places as well. I guess the more miles we ride, the higher the likelihood. Sometimes it's just bad luck. My oral surgeon is now thinking traditional braces with elastics might work better, but that will be up to the orthodontist, if indeed I do need to do this. I am really hoping not, although I guess if I do, I will end up with the perfectly straight teeth I had when I was 13 and got my braces off. Unfortunately, due to inconsistency wearing my retainer, neither my bite nor tooth alignment is nearly as good now as it was then. Time will tell!
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Paula
5/26/2017 03:04:01 pm
Oh Emily, so tragic & traumatic! 😭 God bless you as you heal. We understand.
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Emily
5/26/2017 04:58:38 pm
Thank you, Paula! :-)
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David Christmas
5/26/2017 04:02:49 pm
Riveting post, so descriptive, amazing pics! Glad to hear you're on the path to recovery now, Emily. Looking forward to hearing about your lives back on the road when you're ready
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Emily
5/26/2017 04:59:46 pm
Thanks for your comments, David! I certainly didn't expect to be writing these kind of posts right now. But, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger, I suppose. Thanks for sticking with the blog in good times and bad and hope you have a great summer!
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Emily
5/27/2017 08:14:10 pm
Thanks so much, Jean! I absolutely can't wait to smile again!
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Barb Nutting
6/3/2017 05:31:46 pm
Emily- Haven't been to you're blog in ages so just read about your accident. I am sooo sorry, but it sounds like you're in good spirits and will make a full recovery. My good thoughts will be rooting for you (since I don't pray)! Hope Trump hasn't screwed up your medical insurance!! Take care 😍
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Emily
6/7/2017 07:32:24 pm
No, thankfully "Trumpcare" has only been approved by the House, not yet the Senate, and even if it is approved, it will be awhile before it takes effect. Still, we are out over $2K so far (would have been much more without ACA insurance, though) and will be a lot more since I have to get braces on my teeth and have no dental insurance. Fun fun! Thank you for your kind words, Barb....
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Emily & BarryWe're a long-married, early-retired couple who are currently traveling as nomads with no fixed home base. After years of living in North Carolina (Emily's home state), we spent 18 months living oceanfront on Ambergris Caye, Belize, a year road-tripping the US in a Honda CR-V, a year in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and are now roaming North America in our 32' motorhome, Pearl, following warm weather whenever possible. Archives
July 2019
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