On drums...

So I slipped on some ice early Sunday morning. I'm not well versed in breaking bones (only have been through one break my whole life), but I knew something was wrong immediately. Hobbled the 3 blocks home. After my meeting with the Orthopedic surgeon Monday, it was confirmed: I did a clean, spiral fracture of my right leg's Fibula. Surgery scheduled next Wednesday where I will receive some titanium screws and plate, 4-6 week recovery time. I passed my audition with the band this afternoon where I will finish out the booked shows until surgery. Gonna use sub drummers and hopefully I will be back in action for our CD release and subsequent national tour and promotion in April. Fingers crossed.

For these shows, I'm setting up what looks like a left-handed kit with a floor tom off the hi hat and a crash/ride directly over the snare (to the left of the hats). It is fun to have to set up and play outside the box. Good challenge for both my mind and with my coordination.

I do heal fast and have chosen to abstain from drinking, I am eating even more healthily, etc...
Any tips for fast-tracking the bone recovery and healing?

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Chris

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Cliff

River City Trio

What if we did all have the same opinions?

Wow! Talk about good news/bad news. Bad news on the leg. Great news on the band audition. If touring involves airplanes, you'll be one very popular boy the security scanners.

On balance, sounds like a great week. Congratulations, and I hope you heal quickly.

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Gregory

Chris, sorry to hear this...
Watch out for "sudden moves" after the surgery...

All will get normal after 4 weeks, so don't worry about it. Good rest, healthy food, and plenty of movement after the doctor approves...

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Goki - short from Goran

Let the good drums roll!!!

Well I think the body and bones have their own timeline and it really can't be "fast-tracked" IMO without risking another surgery to fix the first one! Just try not to take on too much too fast with that foot.

BTW, your band sounds great!

- D.

Such sad news I Hope you have the patience necessary to heal completely before you push that right leg at all. I think that Cliff's suggestion about using the left side of a double pedal is excellent. Many of the outstanding double pedal books out there use that same idea to equalize the strength and independence of the left side before going into their excercises. You could become a double pedal monster during your recovery time!

Another point, don't be too proud to ask for help lugging gear around this week for the gigs. Ask a friend to roadie to help see you through. You don't need to injure yourself even more.

Congratulations on the audition!!!

Roland

Ack!
Sorry Chris and congrats
Keep us posted. Hope it all goes through as easily as possible.

I got pain in my foot just looking at the X-ray.

Thanks everyone!
Yes, I'm doing a weird, ambi-hybrid kit with the kick on my left foot, playing open style on top (left handed setup) with the floor tom off the hat. It will get me through the next few shows before taking time off to heal. It's relatively easy to do this, I only have to focus a bit on left foot kicking, so the muscle memory is not too much of a battle. The not drinking keeps my focus razor sharp, too.

Also, this wasn't a formal audition for a new band as much as it was proving to the band leaders that I still got it! They were a little skeptical...

I am going to play the healing and phys therapy by the book. Don't want to mess up my limb!!

I'll keep y'all posted...

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Chris

Are we still waiting on surgery Chris?

Thanks for the kind words and support, everyone. Means the world.

Surgery is this coming wednesday morning. Had to give it time for the swelling to go down, and it's looking much better now. Dr says this is quite routine and looks to be a simple fix. He's a foot/ankle specialist who was recommended by the majority of my friends who are Phys therapists, Nurses, Docs, etc... so I feel extra good about going to him.
It's up to me to take care of it after surgery, and believe me, I will. I can't wait to get back to playing, but not before my leg is ready.

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Chris