Travis' fractured ankle at Columbus

Travis Miller · 10-01-2007, 02:42 PM

Yes I did fracture my ankle at the Sportsnationals race. This is being posted in hopes I can save someone else from going through what I am going through.

I slipped on the rear door ramp coming out of the Div 3 Tech trailer Thursday during tech. I was not in any hurry and the ramp had deck plating on it. When I fell I heard my leg bone snap. X-rays at the hospital confirmed everything. I was operated on Friday. A plate with screws holding the bone together are now a permanent part of my leg. My wife and two daughters brought me home to Louisville Saturday afternoon. I must stay off the leg for at least 6 weeks.

As I lay in the hospital bed Thursday night with a temporary cast on my leg anticipating surgery the next day, I went over and over in my mind how the accident happened. We all are aware of the rear door ramps on most enclosed trailers. And at one time or another we have all slipped on them. Usually we do not fall, simply telling ourselves to be more careful next time. That night in the hospital I came up with a solution that could possibly keep this type accident from happening.

The door need only be used as an inclined ramp when loading or unloading vehicles. If it is raised up level at all other times it becomes a flat deck. One would have to step up onto the deck or step down off the deck but it would be level. This eliminates the incline or as some call it...the slippery slope. Skid proof surfaces can be installed but while they may increase traction the ramp is still an incline when lowered all the way.

It is very easy to make stacked wooden blocks to place under the rear corners of the door bringing it up level. Handles could be installed on the blocks making it simple to remove them when it comes time to put a vehicle away inside the trailer.

Again I am posting this because I do not want to see any of you go through what I am currently experiencing. Believe me, at 59 years old a broken bone is no fun. Neither is looking forward to 6 weeks on crutches. It is also my right leg so that means I will have to be driven everywhere.

Good luck to everyone the rest of the racing season. Hope to see you all next year.

(Disclaimer: Ideas and opinions expressed by me on this forum are exactly that, my ideas and opinions. I just hope this idea can save someone else.)

Larry Buckingham SS3820 · 10-01-2007, 02:55 PM

Hey Travis - glad to hear you're home and on your way to recovery. Get well soon - we'll see ya next year. The rest of the season won't be the same without you! Larry & Lisa Buckingham

Julie Jordan · 10-01-2007, 03:08 PM

Travis ~ Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

Paul Hellenberg · 10-01-2007, 03:14 PM

Speed recovery and thank you for the thoughts.

Paul
3250 GT/BA

Amy Niceswanger · 10-01-2007, 03:19 PM

You Div 3 guys and your ankles!!! Take care of yourself and get well soon!!!

Jeff, John & Amy

John Auer · 10-01-2007, 04:25 PM

Are we starting to see a pattern here? These guys will do anything to get some time off from us hardheaded class racers. We can be alot of trouble but we aren't that bad are we? Get well soon Travis, see you next year. Auer Power Racing, John, Tony, Danny, Keith

Dave Layer · 10-01-2007, 05:56 PM

Travis glad you are home and doing well. Take care of your self and get back out there keeping us on the straight and narrow.

Buy the way my car had an additional throttle return spring on it. I'm sure you had not forgotten about it.

Dave

Dave Edwards · 10-01-2007, 08:17 PM

Sorry to hear of your accident Travis but it sounds like your in good hands now. I wish you a speedy recovery and hope to see you next spring. Believe me we already miss you but relax and try to enjoy your time off.

rseibenick · 10-01-2007, 08:24 PM

Wll miss you at fall INDY. Take care of yourself and yes , will see you next year. Ron Seibenick.

Red LeBlanc · 10-01-2007, 09:12 PM

wishing you a speedy recovery . Red Le Blanc . Travis we are all getting OLD 61 this Month .

10-01-2007, 02:42 PM	#1
Travis Miller Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 476 Likes: 1 Liked 275 Times in 25 Posts	Travis' fractured ankle at Columbus Yes I did fracture my ankle at the Sportsnationals race. This is being posted in hopes I can save someone else from going through what I am going through. I slipped on the rear door ramp coming out of the Div 3 Tech trailer Thursday during tech. I was not in any hurry and the ramp had deck plating on it. When I fell I heard my leg bone snap. X-rays at the hospital confirmed everything. I was operated on Friday. A plate with screws holding the bone together are now a permanent part of my leg. My wife and two daughters brought me home to Louisville Saturday afternoon. I must stay off the leg for at least 6 weeks. As I lay in the hospital bed Thursday night with a temporary cast on my leg anticipating surgery the next day, I went over and over in my mind how the accident happened. We all are aware of the rear door ramps on most enclosed trailers. And at one time or another we have all slipped on them. Usually we do not fall, simply telling ourselves to be more careful next time. That night in the hospital I came up with a solution that could possibly keep this type accident from happening. The door need only be used as an inclined ramp when loading or unloading vehicles. If it is raised up level at all other times it becomes a flat deck. One would have to step up onto the deck or step down off the deck but it would be level. This eliminates the incline or as some call it...the slippery slope. Skid proof surfaces can be installed but while they may increase traction the ramp is still an incline when lowered all the way. It is very easy to make stacked wooden blocks to place under the rear corners of the door bringing it up level. Handles could be installed on the blocks making it simple to remove them when it comes time to put a vehicle away inside the trailer. Again I am posting this because I do not want to see any of you go through what I am currently experiencing. Believe me, at 59 years old a broken bone is no fun. Neither is looking forward to 6 weeks on crutches. It is also my right leg so that means I will have to be driven everywhere. Good luck to everyone the rest of the racing season. Hope to see you all next year. (Disclaimer: Ideas and opinions expressed by me on this forum are exactly that, my ideas and opinions. I just hope this idea can save someone else.) Last edited by Travis Miller; 10-01-2007 at 02:45 PM.

10-01-2007, 02:55 PM	#2
Larry Buckingham SS3820 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Mansfield, OH Posts: 58 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Travis' fractured ankle at Columbus Hey Travis - glad to hear you're home and on your way to recovery. Get well soon - we'll see ya next year. The rest of the season won't be the same without you! Larry & Lisa Buckingham

10-01-2007, 03:08 PM	#3
Julie Jordan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 600 Likes: 66 Liked 322 Times in 64 Posts	Re: Travis' fractured ankle at Columbus Travis ~ Best wishes for a speedy recovery! __________________ Julie Jordan 7549 STK

10-01-2007, 03:14 PM	#4
Paul Hellenberg Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: 41035 Posts: 243 Likes: 3 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Travis' fractured ankle at Columbus Speed recovery and thank you for the thoughts. Paul 3250 GT/BA __________________ Paul Hellenberg 3881 SS and STK paul@hellenberg.us

10-01-2007, 03:19 PM	#5
Amy Niceswanger Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Zanesville, Ohio Posts: 94 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Travis' fractured ankle at Columbus You Div 3 guys and your ankles!!! Take care of yourself and get well soon!!! Jeff, John & Amy

10-01-2007, 04:25 PM	#6
John Auer Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Scott City, Missouri Posts: 7 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Travis' fractured ankle at Columbus Are we starting to see a pattern here? These guys will do anything to get some time off from us hardheaded class racers. We can be alot of trouble but we aren't that bad are we? Get well soon Travis, see you next year. Auer Power Racing, John, Tony, Danny, Keith

10-01-2007, 05:56 PM	#7
Dave Layer Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 93 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Travis' fractured ankle at Columbus Travis glad you are home and doing well. Take care of your self and get back out there keeping us on the straight and narrow. Buy the way my car had an additional throttle return spring on it. I'm sure you had not forgotten about it. Dave

10-01-2007, 08:17 PM	#8
Dave Edwards Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Washington C H, Ohio Posts: 90 Likes: 27 Liked 13 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Travis' fractured ankle at Columbus Sorry to hear of your accident Travis but it sounds like your in good hands now. I wish you a speedy recovery and hope to see you next spring. Believe me we already miss you but relax and try to enjoy your time off. __________________ Dave Edwards 3852 STK

10-01-2007, 08:24 PM	#9
rseibenick Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 159 Likes: 22 Liked 20 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Travis' fractured ankle at Columbus Wll miss you at fall INDY. Take care of yourself and yes , will see you next year. Ron Seibenick.

10-01-2007, 09:12 PM	#10
Red LeBlanc Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Bartlett Tn.. Just out side Memphis Posts: 145 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Travis' fractured ankle at Columbus wishing you a speedy recovery . Red Le Blanc . Travis we are all getting OLD 61 this Month . __________________ Red LeBlanc 4998 SS