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.)

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

Re: Travis' fractured ankle at Columbus
 

Travis ~ Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

Re: Travis' fractured ankle at Columbus
 

Speed recovery and thank you for the thoughts.

Paul
3250 GT/BA

Re: Travis' fractured ankle at Columbus
 

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

Jeff, John & Amy

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

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

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.

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.

Re: Travis' fractured ankle at Columbus
 

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

Re: Travis' fractured ankle at Columbus
 

Travis, we all missed you at Columbus,6 weeks is a long time to stay at home. Well you'll probably make a better weather man now than Tom Wills.(LOL) you'll know before the rain comes. Get well

Re: Travis' fractured ankle at Columbus
 

Travis get well soon. I wouldn't be suprised to see you at Ohio Valley this weekend in a wheelchair rolling around.

Greg

Re: Travis' fractured ankle at Columbus
 

Hope you have a speedy recovery Travis. We all missed you at Columbus. Maybe I shouldn't speak for everyone else!!! Just kidding.

Re: Travis' fractured ankle at Columbus
 

Get well soon Travis !!!!!!!!!!!
BTW, I have the orginal "Nitro Gimpy Cart" here and avalible, let me know, if Buck goes to Louisville, I'll send it with him,

Re: Travis' fractured ankle at Columbus
 

Hell Red, dad's still older than you. Look on the bright side

Re: Travis' fractured ankle at Columbus
 

See ya in the spring! You make sure you take your time & recover completely! Rushing something like this is not a good idea. Besides winter is a coming so just kick back & watch some football ;)

Re: Travis' fractured ankle at Columbus
 

Get well soon. The most important part of recovery from a broken bone at our age's is the theropy. It won't be fun, but do what they tell you no matter what.

Re: Travis' fractured ankle at Columbus
 

Travis, get well soon. It's true about age and broken bones, they heal slowly. See you in the spring.

Re: Travis' fractured ankle at Columbus
 

Travis,
Hope you get to feeling better real soon.
Hang in there!
See ya in the spring.
Patsy & Larry

Re: Travis' fractured ankle at Columbus
 

hey Travis,

Hope you are feeling better, sorry to hear about your ankle...As everyone says take your time, you earned this vacation....only kidding,I am sure its not a vacation but a pain in the *****.. Enjoy the rest, we all miss yah................ Dave...1033/stock

Re: Travis' fractured ankle at Columbus
 

Travis,

Hope you get well soon. Larry Mayes a few years ago broke both legs, I think the story was he got both feet lodged in the gap between the ramp door and the trailer, fell and snapped both legs. Good idea about raising the ramp door. John Clegg and I saw a trailer that installs a piece of thick rubber that articulates as the door opens eliminating this gap. Great trailer safety idea.

Lynn

Re: Travis' fractured ankle at Columbus
 

redman in the house.good idea travis.take care of that ankle.see you at the banquet,maybe we'll both be ready to dance lol.

Re: Travis' fractured ankle at Columbus
 

Travis! Sorry to hear about your fall, hope you recover fast and have as little pain as possible! I've not seen you as a result of a medical problem of my own for the last 2 years! I had been having dizzy spells and falling down, passing out , after all this time the doctors finally found why this was going on when they did a Spinal Tap. Not fun. I'm now getting ready to return to racing and your messed up, who's going to stay on my case? Get well fast, John Lang SS/CA, STK, #365