Overuse injuries and nerve injuries in the hands and wrists are at the centre of cyclist palsy, which is quite common in those who ride frequently.
A cyclist with no history of health problems and whose bike was found to be in perfect working order after her fatal crash may have suffered from cyclist palsy, a Coroner has said.
The inquest into the death of Rebecca Scott (24) has been told the condition, which is quite common, arises when cyclists do not change the position of their hands often enough when cycling, which can lead to numbness and fatigue in the hands and fingers.
In extreme cases, when cyclists who have been riding in the same position for some time attempt to move their hands to pull their brakes they cannot do so.
Advertisement
The inquest in the UK into the death of Ms Scott in Devon was told she cycled into a wall travelling down a hill while training for a 100 mile challenge. She hit the side of a house after rounding a sweeping bend on her ride last August.
A post mortem examination on her remains found no issues, such as cardiac arrest, that may have resulted in her loss of control and her bike was found to be in perfect working order.
The dead woman was described as a competent and experienced rider who fatally crashed by unusually veering into a wall.
Andrew Cox, assistant coroner for Exeter and Greater Devon, entered a verdict of accidental death at last week’s hearing.
Related News
However, he said having heard evidence about cyclist’s palsy during the hearing he had become convinced the condition may have led to Ms Scott inexplicably losing control and fatally hitting the wall. The condition is also known as handlebar palsy.
“Nothing I have heard today suggests this was anything other than a perfectly sensible, well organised, family cycle,” Mr Cox said.
“I accept there is nothing from a mechanical perspective to explain what has gone on here, which means we are at something of a loss to find anything as the cause.
“The issue of cyclist’s palsy, which I have not come across before, has been raised. It is speculation and there is nothing a pathologist could find at post mortem.
“It is, I think, the best explanation for what has happened, but I cannot say for definite that it did happen.”
Police constable Rod Lomas from Devon & Cornwall Police raised the possibility of cyclist’s palsy when he gave evidence to the inquest about the fatal crash.
He told the hearing the condition was caused during long rides and when cyclists do not change the position of their hands. This led to tingling, fatigue and numbness and a loss of movement in the hands and fingers.
“It is just a possibility to try to explain why Rebecca has lost control and has been unable to control the speed at which she has descended,” he said.
“It is something that is rectified by changing the position of the hands.”
He added it would have taken “some bottle” for the victim to change the position of her hands as she went out of control going down the hill. The condition may have seen her unable to pull the brakes and so powerless to prevent the collision that would prove fatal.
Topics
