Buell Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Well, my wonderful quest for 100 solid days of riding this year came to an abrupt halt yesterday at a respectable 56. I managed to shear off my lateral condyle of the femur (one of the two knobs at the bottom of the femur). It was a rather freak situation, but basically, the board slowed dramatically and the weight of my upper body drove into my front knee. I don't recommend anyone else trying this, it is very painful and rather inconvenient. Especially on the best powder day I have seen in Utah since we got here in mid December. I am scheduled for surgery tomorrow morning to put the bone back in place and screw it in. That will be followed by 8 to 10 weeks of non-weight bearing. Fortunately it appears that the knee ligaments survived, including my ACL graft from '94. It is also nice that I will have a removable splint instead of a cast. I want to say thank to all of those who have helped me progress this year as a carver; from simply riding with me, to offering clear and helpful advice, to having demo fleets so I could try different boards. It has really been a great year of learning to carve for me and I look forward to next winter. I will definitely miss riding with the Oregon crew this spring. Hopefully, Rebecca can get away from her caretaker duties to make some turns. Looks like it will have to wait until next year unless I can get a couple of tentative turns on the Mile in early June. Make some turns for me! Buell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pebu Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Holy Ouch! That sounds very painful. I wouldn't expect to come back this year if I were you. Make sure it's good and strong before you try it again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galen Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Heck and dang, Buell! I was looking forward to riding with you at OES. 56 is very respectable, but the injury just plain sucks. when yo get on the mend let us know the details of how it happened and your progress. Get well soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey Day Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Buell man, that totally sucks! God speed the healing my friend! My thoughts ( and Carves ) are with you man! Although I didn't offer up any carving tips or anything, it was a pleasure to meet and ride with you and Rebecca while I was out in Utah! Good times! We'll have to keep in touch for next seasons' SES/OES! Looking forward to riding with you guys soon! Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martyagt4 Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Damn sorry to hear that Buell. Hope you have a speedy recovery. And thanks again for the mini tour of Powder Mtn! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy T. Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Buell, That really sucks and I'm sorry to hear about it. Take care of yourself and get better for next year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skully Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 This sucks Buell. Heal up well! If there's anything I can do for you guys, let me know..... Be carefull out there people! Too many carvers are gettin' injured this year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-Sub Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 ouch, man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackbird Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Yep.... like evryone so far said.... That Sucks.... at 56 days too.... hope you heal up nice and strong Buell.. don't rush back before you're ready..... Next year you'll kick butt!!! Hope the OP goes well!!! PS: post pics of the operations aftermath... including pics of your xrays.....!!! Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FTA2R Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 listen to your doc. best, Barry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike T Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Buell, we'll all miss you at OES. (At least it's not in May like it was the 1st year... so you won't be tempted to make an early comeback and risk re-injuring yourself!) Take great care of yourself, the mountain will be waiting for you next season as well as your awesome quiver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buell Posted February 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Thank you all for the kind thoughts. Blackbird, I'll see what I can do about those x-rays. I haven't seen them yet myself. Mike, looks like Rebecca has a hell of a quiver to choose from for the rest of the year. Skully, if you didn't get our email from a few days back, can you drop us a line through our profile? Thanks, Buell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 WHAAT?! Well, at least I know why you didn't answer your phone yesterday while I was scooping up freshies off of Strawberry. I must have made 3-4 calls from the gondola, thinking "Unusual for one of them not to answer, I wonder where they ended up today" I'm sincerely sorry to hear about your injury and hope surgery goes well and you heal quickly!! So, where did this take place? What deck were you on? Uh...what were you doing? Just to vouch for Buell and Rebecca - Their riding skills are SOLID. You would NEVER guess that this was their 2nd season on snow!! Talk to ya soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJ-PS Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Buell, I'm so sorry also. Take your time and heal well. Prayers comin' at ya. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bordy Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 I feel your pain. We will all be around if you need anything. I however am bed bound also. Just had the ACL and Miniscus and MCL fixed this afternoon. Want to race to see who heals faster. ;) You know how to reach me. Good luck and heal fast! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dragon fly jones Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 Heal up quick gents, we need you out there spreading the good vibes. Billy - man we need to get you out from under the injury cloud. I know you love what you do man, just turn it down to say a 9 on the 11 scale. Be sure to watch those endless repeats of Star Trek DS-9, those have paced me through many an injury. See ya soon. The one and only DFJ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 Hey Buell, Man, sorry to read that your season is over. Not tearing your ACL is very good news. Take it slow and thorough with your recovery. See you in 08/09. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buell Posted February 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 Thanks everyone. Kirk, Rebecca and I actually had a great morning at Powder Mountain, but my phone doesn't work there. Glad you were getting the goods too. Thanks for the props. Bordy, we thought about you the other day when there was a kite at Powder. You get well quick too. Hope your surgery went well and there is NO WAY I am racing you at anything! I go under the knife in the morning, it will be good to get it done and start moving forward on the rehab. Jim, I am planning to ride hard in 07/08. ;) Must be a good winter surfwise in your neck of the woods this year. Hope you are catching some good days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoom Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 Buell is out of surgery and in the recovery room. The surgery took a little longer than expected due to some damage to the cartilage and lateral meniscus, and a couple of "little chunks of bone" that had to be removed. However, four titanium screws and some clean-up later, Buell can start healing. The prognosis is roughly the same - 8 to 10 weeks until he can bear weight (or drive a car!), up to 6 months for "full" recovery. He's the poster boy for PT, as well as being a lightweight, so the outlook is very good. Thanks so much for all of the support and kind words the last few days. Buell spends a lot more time lamenting the days he won't get to ride with you guys than he spends complaining about pain or recovery time. Keep the good vibes coming. They really help. Rebecca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey Day Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 I don't know if this would be considered good vibes, but it's snowing like mad here on the east coast and I have Thursday & Friday off! WOOHOO!!! Buell, heal up well my friend!! Rebecca, ride well in his presence and thanks for the update!! I'll make some turns for you guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 Jim, I am planning to ride hard in 07/08. ;) Must be a good winter surfwise in your neck of the woods this year. Hope you are catching some good days. Yup, surf has been unusually clean from all the weather being pushed up your way. Not bad for consistency to. Getting a new Fish and a longboard this month. Oh yeah, the local crew of Point Rats are thin this winter. I know you will understand. BTW I snapped my collatbone two seasons back in February. Missed the best surf/snow in a decade. I feel your pain. :( See you in '08 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
www.oldsnowboards.com Posted February 15, 2007 Report Share Posted February 15, 2007 Buell, terribly sorry to hear about your injury. Your strong spirit will carry you through this too. Your being in such great shape will go along ways to speady recovery. See you back in the NW soon!! Bryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Fource Posted February 16, 2007 Report Share Posted February 16, 2007 Buell, The crew at Berg's wishes you well and a speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with you:1luvu: . We are a little jealous of the 56 days on snow:boxing_sm . None of us have had a 5th that many in probably 10 years. Amaizing we can still ride at all. Love those store hours:smashfrea . Thanks for living the dream! Maybe Rebecca can make some turns w/ me before the snow runs out. Anyway, Heal fast my friend and come back stronger next season!!!!! Can't wait to rip it with you again. Much love my brother!! -Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buell Posted March 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 Thank you for all the well wishes. It really helps keep the spirits up. Well, 4 weeks from my injury and I finally have some images of the damage. The first two show the CT scan of the broken lateral femoral condyle. The x-ray shows the 4 new titanium screws which now hold the bottom of my femur together. The two thick, threaded screws are from my ACL reconstruction in '95. I think my right knee has enough metal already! My recovery is going well. I just finished 4 wonderful evenings of the OregonES here at Mt Bachelor. Fortunately, Rebecca got to enjoy the days as well. I certainly missed riding with everyone, but it is really nice to visit with so many great people. Next year! I meet with the surgeon on Thurday to get my first x-rays since the surgery and find out how I am healing. Hopefully I can start some more aggressive rehab. Can't wait to ride again next season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
www.oldsnowboards.com Posted March 13, 2007 Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 Damn Buell, that is some pretty impressive hardware! Continue to heal fast and keep those boards sharp. Good having you back home in the PNW. We were all keenly aware of your spirit at OES. Thanks for the photos! Bryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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