I hope I can prevent this from happening to other operators.

[fried1765]

May 20 2025 but for the grace of God should have been the date in my gravestone. I did everything that you would do to win a Darwin award.
Alone, this 70 year old fudd takes the TLB into the woods to harvest a few trees for firewood. Did not wear protective gear as usual. I also did a bit ot backhoe work.
I carried out 3 bucket loads of wood, and decided I would back the BH to the edge of a 12 to 15' rocky embankment to bang around the hoe to shake off all the dirt.
I set the bucket the in crushed stone. I did not set the brake or lower the stabilizers. I was off the machine and was done cleaning the machine, about to put in the equipment building and get lunch
The tractor started to roll backwards over the embankment. At that point I could have just grabbed the forward reverser lever, or just let her go. Foolishly I reached across the floorboard and unsuccessfully tried to push the brakes.
I was dragged with the tractor down the steep rocky embankment covered with dirt, leaves and dog feces from the kennel
I sort of slow motion, the tractor front tire rolled over my left calf, dragging me along in it's decent.
Hand the rear wheel or buck done this, I would have been smushed lifeless.
Calf was crushed. Multiple compound fractures bone piercing the bloody flesh.
I screamed for help. Fortunately my wife was in barn, and called for the EMT's.
They did a great job getting to me to the trauma center 35 minutes away.
I was dehydrated in shock, bleeding and otherwise beat up all over.
My platoon of guardian angels prevented my knee and ankle from being destroyed, thus the surgical team was able to install at least a 1/2 pound of titanium to reconstruct what was left of my calf, as there was enough bone left to attach the titanium bones to the joints. I have nerve damage.
There is no need to comment how stupid, careless, and lucky to be alive I am.
I know PTSD well now. Thanking God for another chance
At some point I need to publish my 7 rules of gun safety also

This is the very reason I keep my cell phone on my body.
A tractor mounted cell phone holder is a serious mistake!

 

[mike69440]

I underwent a third operation on my poorly healing bones. Hopefully this much hardware will allow what bones remaining to fuse. My leg is now more stable but traumatized after being opened up again.
Before this 4th hospitalization, I hoisted myself on my Mahindra Max28 to move two of seven gravel piles that our town kindly delivered. For lack of room, they blocked the manure pile and access to the perimeter trail around the field. Wife was pissed.
This was essentially the highlight of my summer, getting on a tractor, as a result of my senseless nomination for a Darwin award.

 

[jyoutz]

I underwent a third operation on my poorly healing bones. Hopefully this much hardware will allow what bones remaining to fuse. My leg is now more stable but traumatized after being opened up again.
Before this 4th hospitalization, I hoisted myself on my Mahindra Max28 to move two of seven gravel piles that our town kindly delivered. For lack of room, they blocked the manure pile and access to the perimeter trail around the field. Wife was pissed.
This was essentially the highlight of my summer, getting on a tractor, as a result of my senseless nomination for a Darwin award.

Wow. Looks like an Ace Hardware store.

 

[WinterDeere]

Wow. Looks like an Ace Hardware store.

lol... that's a good one!

Sorry to be laughing at your pain, Mike. But sometimes, all you can do is commiserate! I hope you're feeling much better, very soon.

 

[dodge man]

Looks like a lot of work for your bone doctor. Hope you continue to improve.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

Wow that is a lot of hardware in a small space. Sure hope your recovery continues well and you can get back on your tractor.

 

[BackRoad]

Does the hardware stay once you're 100%?

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm sure there is a lot of science and education that goes into placing every screw in there, but to me, it looks like a high school kid got to use the nail gun for the first time on a job.

Hope this is the beginning of a full recovery!!!!

 

[MossRoad]

Does the hardware stay once you're 100%?

If it's like my back, the bone grows around it, so permanent.

 

[D&D]

Does the hardware stay once you're 100%?

Unless an uncontrollable infection sets in, yes

 

[mike69440]

Wow. Looks like an Ace Hardware store.

I got my original hardware back that was removed and replaced with the Superduty stuff. I wonder if these items can be resold to third world regions in need of medical implants?
New hardware is providing more stability. Now only hope the crunched Tibia begins to mend.

 

[kenmbz]

Well, that setup does look a little cleaner.
I hope this works and you heal ok.
Will any of that hardware ever come out?
All of the hardware they put in my arm is still there 18 years later and really just became part of my arm after a year or so and lots of PT.

Are you able to walk on the leg ok?

 

[mike69440]

If hardware has a problem after 2 years, there is option to remove.

 

[dodge man]

Hopefully a lifetime warranty. I hope you are getting around better.

 

[etpm]

I wonder if these items can be resold to third world regions in need of medical implants?

As a recipient of much hardware that was removed and replaced with other hardware I had a similar question about hardware recycling. It turns out that sterilizing the hardware is quite hard because of all the super tiny nooks and crannies. When the hardware is installed it develops even more super tiny spaces where bacteria can hide. When a non-sterile item is embedded in your bone it is very hard to kill any infection that occurs from this invasion. I had external fixators in both arms and because the pins screwed into my bones that held the bones in place came out of the skin and were connected to an external framework my wife had to do "pin care" on each of the 8 pins twice a day. This involved sterilizing the wounds where the pins came out with hydrogen peroxide and removing the scabbing that naturally happens because it would harbor all sorts of bacteria.The doc said it was a question of when, not if, I would get a bone infection if the pins were left in place too long. And you just don't want a bone infection. FYI, pin care hurts like hell, so it's best avoided. As are the injuries you suffered. Good luck.
Eric