Neko Mulally - Injury Update

May 4, 2010
by Tyler Maine  
Source: Trek World Racing

Following an accident in training at last weekend's first round of the Gravity East DH Series at Massanutten (USA), Neko Mulally has a confirmed compound fracture of his arm, 3/4 down the Radius bone toward the wrist.

More details inside,After waiting for the swelling to go down, Neko visited an orthopedic specialist in Philadelphia yesterday who regularly deals with sporting injuries, and the latest information is serious but not as bad as it could have been.

While the bone has a compound fracture, it is not displaced very much at all, approximately 10% off-set. The medical team did not need to set it, they just put his arm in a cast (past the elbow joint) and they feel it will heal fine on its own.

Neko will be checking back with the specialist each week to make sure everything is progressing well. The current cast will be removed in 2-3 weeks and a smaller one placed on his forearm, and that will be there for a further 1-2 weeks. The doctors feel Neko will be cast-free in 4-5 weeks and start riding with a brace, then at 6 weeks he may be able to compete.

For now the team is scrapping any plans of Neko racing in Maribor or Fort William, and will take a week by week assessment on having Neko ready to race for Leogang. Ultimately the team is not wishing to rush his recovery or return to racing.

Neko said: "Obviously this is a huge blow for me, as I was so looking forward to the start of the World Cup season. Right now Leogang is looking realistic to come back to racing, but we'll take it one week at a time for now. Of the possible ways it could have broken, this is a very good scenario. It is unlikely that only one bone in the forearm breaks. It's very good because the other bone, the Ulna, is 100% fine and will hold the broken one in place as it heals. I think that I landed with my arm underneath my body on a rock or root that broke only that one bone. I'm just concentrating on recovering as best as I can". Team Owner Martin Whiteley says: "I got the call just as we were going on air for the Freecaster 4X coverage at Houffalize, and of course we were all very upset for Neko. But it's not the end of the world, and he needs to stay focused on recovery, doing all he can with his coach and doctors to return 100% fit and strong at the appropriate time. Neko's a smart and responsible rider; I have 100% faith in his ability to manage this injury."

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25 Comments
  • 14 0
 Does this mean a normal fracture then? A compound fracture is usually where the bone protrudes through the skin, or is in some way linked to lacerated soft tissue or an open wound. The article just says that he waited for swelling to go down before going to have it looked at and confirming the fracture, whereas a compound fracture is pretty obvious as soon as it has happened. Doesn't matter to me, just an observation.
  • 4 0
 I thought the same thing, although even if there was the tiniest puncture from the bone it would be considered a compound fracture. Definately sounds like a regular fracture though since it was barely displaced.
  • 5 0
 true, you're a bit smarter than the writers
  • 3 0
 Glad it wasn't just me. Although yeah, could have just been a really small cut and would still be one i guess.
  • 5 3
 I have been researching this issue for over 22 years now....
So, a neat clean compound fracture can be quicker to heal than a minor bend per se... It depends on the nature of the break and how well the bones knit together after being reset. It done well they can heal just as fast as a regular break/bend.
I know from 9+ breaks and a few screws that a a bone will inherently be weaker anfter a hairline crack but can be just as strong after a clean snap....
  • 8 0
 You've been researching it since before you were 9? When i was that age i was just out on my BMX, or coming of it, but deffinately not studying the effects of coming off it. And i was probably also playing on Sonic on the Master System too.... good times! lol
But i get what you're saying and someone with 9+ breaks should know Wink
  • 1 0
 i had what the doctors called a "compound fracture" this last february where i broke my tibia and fibula. my shin snapped completely sideways, but did not pierce through the skin. since the doctors used the term "compound fracture" i guess it does not have to pierce through the skin to be one (i always thought it had to in order to be a compound fracture but they assured me otherwise). so a compound fracture can be either through the skin or not.. therefore the open vs. closed statement sounds correct. hope that helps clear things up
  • 1 0
 =) good luck getting better
  • 3 2
 compound fracture doesn't always mean the bone comes out of the skin you can have a compound fracture and the bone will not stick of the skin which is called a "closed fracture" and if it does come through the skin then it would be an "open fracture".
  • 3 0
 With all of the conjecture around this article, I am begining to think there actually was no broken bone at all.... I am thinking its a publicity stunt.
  • 3 0
 i'm thinkin the same. let's talk about emily batty instead...
  • 2 0
 mmmm... Emily :p
  • 1 0
 I know how he feels. I broke both bones in my wrist snowboarding early this year. It was so displaced that they perform surgery before they put me in a cast. Heal quickly!
  • 1 0
 does it matter? broken is broken! that simple. hope he gets well to do usa proud.
  • 2 3
 there is a closed and open compound fracture. obviously if the bone didnt protrude from the skin, it would be a closed compound fracture
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compound_fracture#Classification_systems
  • 4 1
 read the whole article and don't selectively read. Quote from wiki site you provided "Closed (simple) fractures are those in which the skin is intact, while open (compound) fractures involve wounds that communicate with the fracture, or where fracture hematoma is exposed, and may thus expose bone to contamination"
  • 2 3
 and what part of my comment is at all different from what you just said??
"Closed (simple) fractures are those in which the skin is intact"...since his bone did not protrude from his skin, it would be a closed compound fracture
  • 3 1
 Do you know how to read? A closed fracture is also known as a simple fracture. A Open fracture is also known as a compound fracture. That's why those things called parentheses are there. Hell why do I even bother...I'm sure you're a Flyers fan or even worse a Penguins fan.

www.scaryideas.com/content/10697
  • 2 0
 Deadatbirth, what i think WarriorSXC is trying to say is... at no point does what you posted state "closed compound fracture", it is either a closed (and therefore simple) fracture OR it is an open (and therefore compound) fracture. They do not go together.
  • 1 0
 hey warriorsxc f u go flyers heal up neko
  • 1 0
 I hope you get back later! keep riding!
  • 1 0
 sorry, back soon!
  • 1 0
 Bummer, feel better Neko, see you soon.
  • 1 0
 heal up neko!







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