Worst Injuries??

[Cyclona]

My first thread, I'm new here, I'm only here and not training right this instant because I broke a 5th metatarsal while landing a back kick last week in class. Anyway, I'm totally depressed about not being able to train for at least 6 weeks, and I'm worried about how slow I will be upon my return....I spoke to the head of my school about what I could be doing in the meantime and he suggested 500 crunches/situps and push ups a day, alternating between situps & pushups until I couldn't go on. I know my cardio will suffer after not training for so long, but with a broken foot there's nothing much I can do about it. Has anyone else had fairly major injuries while practicing taekwondo? What did you do while you waited to recover in terms of training or anything else taekwondo related?

Thanks.

[Kacey]

I sprained my knee badly - I walked through things as best I could, showed up to class and watched (an ideal time/way to take notes), and studied all the materials I had available - so my knowledge was greater after my injury than before, and I could concentrate on my physical recovery instead of having to relearn things as well.

[Cyclona]

Yes I've already read one tkd publication since my injury last week (A Killing Art, the untold history of TKD) I'll pick up some more. I could practice my patterns, which I'll do, but with a cast on it's really kind of a drag.

[Cyclona]

I want to change the name of this thread to: "I'm in a cast and depressed about not training" !

[StuartA]

Two links for ya:

http://www.raynerslanetkd.com/Photos/PHOTOS-Injuries.html

http://www.totallytkd.com/

One to let you know your not alone and the other to while away your recovery time.

Regards,
Stuart

[Earl Weiss]

Injury Highlights;

TKD : Blew the ACL in each knee at seperate times.
Both Knees scoped at seperate times to remove sme cartilage
Various busted toes and fingers
Various sprains and strains
Left hip replaced. Unknown how much various factors contributed o this.

Othe rmajot item was a motorcycle injury that had me in the hospital for a week.

During recoup did the following when possible (in addittion to religiously following post op therapy.)Sometimes at low intensity.

Continuation of upper body weightlifting.
Stationary Bike. Sometimes I could only peddle half way around and repeat
Walk thru patterns.
Do easy range of motion kicks without speed or power.
Stretch as allowed.

[Cyclona]

Oh yeah I have an old ACL injury in my right leg from a snowboarding incident 9 years ago, knee = never been the same....

I'm doing upper body weightlifting in the meantime as well as the situps/crunches, pushups, I am a big fan of using one's own bodyweight as a tool to build strength, which reminds me, any one done a lot of slow kicking on the ground?

[searcher]

Not all in TKD, but I have broken my nose, ribs, collarbone, and a couple of fingers. These are on myself. I have also dislocated a shoulder, "popped" my elbow, and had countless cuts and bruises.

I have seen and/or inflicted worse than I have received. I pushed through most of mine despite the pain I was feeling at the time, not the best thing to do.

I suggest that you try to get some cardio in a "no impact" zone, like swimming or water aerobics. Just my professional opinion.

[ATC]

Just got over a broken arm. Took the cast off after 2 weeks. Never stopped training. Trained with the cast on and off.

Broke the pinky toe and two bursa sacs in pinky and 4th toe as well. Stopped training for 2 weeks. Wrapped the foot really tight after being told to stay off the foot for 6 weeks and given a soft cast to ware. Had to get back training. 6 weeks is just too long.

longest I was out was 4 weeks due to 2 cracked ribs. Just could not bare that pain.

After each injury I did not do any contact but tried what I could. Of course I had to skip some drills and techniques but I still trained what I could.

[bluekey88]

While practicingt nahtabon kicks, I landed funny and blew out the ACL in my right knee (a few weeks before my 1st dan test no less). This required surgery, 6 months of recovery and rehab, and another 2 to3 months of training to get back into shape and prepare for another BB test.

While laid up, I did a lot of reading and research on martial art related stuff (bunkai for kata/poomse, videos of other styles), I also spent a lot of time mentally rehearsing all the poomses, requires sefl defense techs, one steps, terminology, etc from my curriculum. I did this with as much mental intensiy I could muster (research shows that mental visualization cna help improve physical performance even when not training). This also kept the stuff frech in mhy mind so I didn't have to re-learn as well as get my ""mat legs" back as it were.

When released to rehab, I attackjed that like I train (worked twice as hard and never cut corners). My recovery was my training goal. In the end, I eventually came back as strong, if not stronger than I was before my injury.

Peace,
Erik

[clfsean]

Hyperextended R Leg when teaching distance kicking class & guy holding my target flinched before I hit the air shield.

Knee scoped & cleaned out.

Multiple toe & finger breaks along the way.

Stopped counting sprains & strains early on.

[jks9199]

I sprained my knee badly - I walked through things as best I could, showed up to class and watched (an ideal time/way to take notes), and studied all the materials I had available - so my knowledge was greater after my injury than before, and I could concentrate on my physical recovery instead of having to relearn things as well.
There's a lot you can learn by watching... sometimes, more than if you were participating because you aren't distracted by trying to do it.

Talk to your instructors, and if you can, go to class anyway and watch.

You can also practice some elements while sitting... Or in a couple of weeks, practice slow kicks focusing on perfect technique using your injured foot to kick. Don't kick higher than you are absolutely certain you can handle the balance for (or even, use a chair or other support to be sure you don't fall) and absolutely don't make any contact.

And -- don't forget that you can go through your forms, drills, and other exercises in your mind...

For your cardio -- can you try a stationary bike, with doctor's approval?

[jks9199]

Just got over a broken arm. Took the cast off after 2 weeks. Never stopped training. Trained with the cast on and off.

Broke the pinky toe and two bursa sacs in pinky and 4th toe as well. Stopped training for 2 weeks. Wrapped the foot really tight after being told to stay off the foot for 6 weeks and given a soft cast to ware. Had to get back training. 6 weeks is just too long.

longest I was out was 4 weeks due to 2 cracked ribs. Just could not bare that pain.

After each injury I did not do any contact but tried what I could. Of course I had to skip some drills and techniques but I still trained what I could.
Speaking from the vantage of years -- and having done some of the same thing --

When your hurt -- train smarter, not harder. The odds are pretty good that you're going to pay for some of those choices in a few years.

Don't remove casts against doctor's advice, don't ignore injuries... work with them, and learn how to compensate.

[ATC]

Speaking from the vantage of years -- and having done some of the same thing --

When your hurt -- train smarter, not harder. The odds are pretty good that you're going to pay for some of those choices in a few years.

Don't remove casts against doctor's advice, don't ignore injuries... work with them, and learn how to compensate.
Pay for it in a few years. I am old and paying for it now. ;-) But no, I did consult with the doctor on the broken arm and he OK'd it. Told me not to bang it so that is why no contact at all. Bone actually gets sticky in about 5 days and is glued or set by then and is pretty strong. This is according to the doctor himself.

The body is pretty resilient and self healing. Each has to know his/her own bodies. We all mend and recover differently.

[Cyclona]

Just got over a broken arm. Took the cast off after 2 weeks. Never stopped training. Trained with the cast on and off.

Broke the pinky toe and two bursa sacs in pinky and 4th toe as well. Stopped training for 2 weeks. Wrapped the foot really tight after being told to stay off the foot for 6 weeks and given a soft cast to ware. Had to get back training. 6 weeks is just too long.

One of my instructors broke each his hands in separate tournaments on different occasions and pretty much trained all the way through with those injuries.

My foot is bad, I can't walk on it without the aircast on, let alone run or kick anything. It's totally black/purple far away from where the actual break is. I can't bend my toes yet...the Doctor says I need physiotherapy. But it's only been a week since I broke it so I should be a little bit patient, though I've been back to dojang twice this week just watching training. Le sigh.

[tellner]

Worst martial arts injuries?

Lessee...

Torn ACL and shredded meniscus
Separated shoulder
Moderate concussion
Wrenched neck
Several cuts bad enough to leave persistent scars

Almost all of these were due to stupidity on my part or poorly supervised sparring. The worst ones were from being the dummy in a women's self defense class.

My wife was sidelined for close to a year with a rotator cuff injury and subsequent surgery. That was only marginally connected with martial arts. It came from over-enthusiastic plyometrics past the age of forty.

[ATC]

One of my instructors broke each his hands in separate tournaments on different occasions and pretty much trained all the way through with those injuries.

My foot is bad, I can't walk on it without the aircast on, let alone run or kick anything. It's totally black/purple far away from where the actual break is. I can't bend my toes yet...the Doctor says I need physiotherapy. But it's only been a week since I broke it so I should be a little bit patient, though I've been back to dojang twice this week just watching training. Le sigh.Just mental train and get back when you can. Don't push it. Only you know when you are ready.

[jim777]

At the moment I've got three chipped bones in my right wrist, that I was hoping was simply carpal tunnel. I've sat out with a cracked bone in my leg, and had to go a few weeks without sparring due to cracked ribs before as well. I would suggest just continue going to class and watching if you can't participate until you are well enough to get out there yourself. That always made me feel better, and still connected to what was going on.

[Twin Fist]

worst? shoulder pulled out of socket

most persistant? hyper-extended elbow

more bloody noses than I can count, cuts, cracked ribs, broken toes, black eyes, busted lips, all small stuff.

[IcemanSK]

Worst Taekwondo injuries.......

Dislocated my pinky finger in 3 places & broke it in two in one shot blocking a side kick with a palm block (as a white belt:))

Broken middle toe on my right foot 3 times.

3 stitches under my lip from a misaimed side kick thrown by the guy sparring next to me (missing his partner:))

Numerous bruises, pulled muscles etc.

The calf muscle tear that I recently recovered from was from running, not TKD.

Not too bad for 27+ years of training :ultracool

[searcher]

I need to add to my list, torn hamstring. Not a complete tear, but dang if it does not hurt pretty bad.

And dislocated middle finger. Middle knuckle. Hurts, but not unbearable.

[Michele]

Hi Cyclona,

I am new to Martial Talk. I had a complete ACL tear in May 2007. The surgeon said four words "No ACL...no karate". I was in surgery the following week.

I was completely off the dojo floor for twelve weeks. At twelve weeks, I was back on a very limited basis with a heavy duty ACL brace (no stances, no kicks). I was given no restrictions at six months with a brace. I wore the brace for about 11 months.

This injury tested my patience. What did I do? A lot of physical therapy. I also started a blog, joined martial arts forums, spent time in the dojo watching, helped students and read martials arts books. Recovery from this injury has made me stronger.

Good luck!

[rmclain]

Worst: Jammed my right foot big toe sparring in a tournament in 1992. Hurt a little when it happened, but didn't really notice it much. Started to really hurt later that evening and into the next week. I don't remember how long it took to recover. Not very long.

R. McLain

[kerc]

That's why I'm being very careful with proper technique right off the start (I'm just a gold belt now). I'm also conveying the same carefulness to my son. Take it easy, make it strong and firm, but don't over-extend your abilities.

I'm 37, so I gotta watch out for myself... ;)

[dancingalone]

I have a bulging disk in my back that sidelined me for a good 3-4 months. I continued to teach during this time, but demonstration was impossible for me and I gained a new appreciation for the art of conveying information verbally.
Still have to pace myself and I will have to do therapeutic exercises for the rest of my life.

[Drac]

Not a TKD student, but I thight I'd chime in anyway..The only thing I ever injuried while training was my pride..

[Wasabinyc]

dislocated jaw
Hip bone or thingamajig popped out. This one hurt like a biatchh

[KELLYG]

Worst injuries. Broken toes, broken fingers, torn calf muscle 4 weeks before 3rd degree test, torn calf muscle during black belt test. Shoulder surgery for osteoarthritis's, and bone spurs.

I found that watching class, paying attention to the differences in people doing forms: Black belt vs colored belt for example: helped me to see in my self what needed to be improved. Watching sometimes you will see things that you can not while participating. Working on the sidelines slow and easy helped as well. An injury on one part of your body does not prevent working with other aspects. With calf muscle torn I worked heavily on making sure that my blocks and punches were clean. With the shoulder surgery I was able to concentrate in kicking. As other people have stated before there is noting wrong with visualizing patterns, self defenses etc.

[Cyclona]

I was just starting to learn the pattern for red stripe....I'm sure I've forgotten most of it by now...in any case I go to the dr's next week to get an update, it will be 3 weeks next wednesday, I hope they'll tell me 1 more week in the cast and then off to physio. Not 3 more weeks in the cast....as it could be. I will see how my foot looks/feels once I get out of the cast....

Going to the dojang is just depressing I can't watch a class I just want to join it, it's like torture for me to watch. Ah well. Soon enough I'll be back to training.

[jks9199]

I was just starting to learn the pattern for red stripe....I'm sure I've forgotten most of it by now...in any case I go to the dr's next week to get an update, it will be 3 weeks next wednesday, I hope they'll tell me 1 more week in the cast and then off to physio. Not 3 more weeks in the cast....as it could be. I will see how my foot looks/feels once I get out of the cast....

Going to the dojang is just depressing I can't watch a class I just want to join it, it's like torture for me to watch. Ah well. Soon enough I'll be back to training.
Write your pattern out. Visualize yourself going through the motions. You'll keep it fresh in your mind -- and be surprised at how much is retained.

[midnight star]

the worst injury i got was a badly bruised rib!
this was from sparring in a comp when i was green belt.
i couldn't cough,sneeze,breathe without being in pain!

[Tez3]

the worst injury i got was a badly bruised rib!
this was from sparring in a comp when i was green belt.
i couldn't cough,sneeze,breathe without being in pain!

Thats a big ouch! Welcome to MT, pop over to the meet and greet and say hello, the others would love to say hello back :)

[karatemom]

Broken big toe, displaced fracture w/ surgery and 2 screws to hold the bone together - will have those screws from now on. Talk about a tough injury - had to re-learn how to walk and and to do my form. Now, almost a year later - am getting to where I have about 95-98% range of motion back and can pivot. I was determined not to quit! I love MA/TKD!

[Cyclona]

I got a second xray at e weeks after the 5th metatarsal break....bone is back in place but has not filled in. ie. Currently there's no scar tissue or new bone growing in place of the break. Dr. doesn't know which will grow, bone or scar tissue. So I keep the cast on another 3 weeks. My calf muscle is already atrophied.....my right leg (injured one) was the bigger, stronger one, now it's smaller!! Le sigh

[karatemom]

The atrophy will get better as you start using that leg more - it was that way for me.