Broken collarbone

[1Triplered]

Ok, Came off my bike at AMCC Round 1, in race 1 clubmans, LOL, well.. actully after race 1 ,
Anyway broke left collar bone and three ribs, up at the hospital they said they dont operate on collar bones they let them heal
by themselves, come back in 6 weeks.

Went back last week to get checked and also asked to have a medical cert to get race licence back so I can can be in for round 2 this weekend.

Oh No we wont be doing that , your collar bone is still very much broken I was told,
Two options, Wait and see what happens, come back in another 6 weeks, high chance it wont heal, then get surgery,
or get surgery next week, still going to be 6 weeks at least.

But yea no medical cert = no racing



This sucks!
Has anyone had this sort of time frame with broken collar bone?, should I have pushed for surgery on the day I originaly broke it because
Im sure It would be all good by now if I had.

Cheers:eek5:

[tail_end_charlie]

Bugger mate, that really sucks. I don't have any expierence with the NZ health system, but does seem like a rather lazy attitude toward the whole situation by the hospital. Guess they don't have to deal with the consequences though do they?

Have you gotten your bike sorted out from the booboo yet? Didn't look like there was that much damage to it. Hope your able to get back on it pretty soon. But hey, look at the bright side, 1 race 1 win, you're batting 100% right now!

Ended up getting my self a ZXR400 race bike a couple of weeks ago, so hopfully I'll be able to get up to speed and get racing here soon.

[Mental Trousers]

Stink.

Don't crash.

There's a bunch of motorbike racers that are competing with 2 piece collar bones. Sometimes they just don't heal. But getting it operated on straight away isn't usually the right option.

[DidJit]

Sorry to hear about the injury. Can't offer any advice, but I hope it heals well and that someone else here does have some useful advice for you.

That was a handy little lead you built up in that race — and lapping 1:14.9s too! You and Desmoto were looking good from my point of view on the sidelines. Hopefully, we'll see you back out there sooner rather than later! :yes:

[Deano]

I broke mine in March at Rd 4 of the Nats. (Plus 4 ribs and punctured lung)

It wasn't healing so I pushed for the operation but kept getting told to wait. The majority do heal by themselves I was told.

Mine didn't look like it was going to, so I finally had the operation in July. My shoulder is still recovering from the trauma and lack of use for 6 odd months but fortunately I will be able to compete in the Nats 2013.

If it hasn't started to knit at your next check up, keep pushing for surgery mate. I will need to get the plate out in 6 months or so - more recovery LOL




Don't crash.



Easy to say Shane and I'm not usually a crasher but I can't control what other racers do :facepalm:

[1Triplered]

Bugger mate, that really sucks. I don't have any expierence with the NZ health system, but does seem like a rather lazy attitude toward the whole situation by the hospital. Guess they don't have to deal with the consequences though do they?

Have you gotten your bike sorted out from the booboo yet? Didn't look like there was that much damage to it. Hope your able to get back on it pretty soon. But hey, look at the bright side, 1 race 1 win, you're batting 100% right now!

Ended up getting my self a ZXR400 race bike a couple of weeks ago, so hopfully I'll be able to get up to speed and get racing here soon.

Yea bikes all good, just a broken left foot peg, replaced left crash knob, and some fairing damage but all good sitting in
the shed all ready to go! but no place to go.

Yea mate just frustrating, there is a gap of around 15-20mm between the two bones roughly on the xray and 1 has droped way down,so I dont know how they are suppose to heal back togeather, but yea maybe they will but how long will that take ? and they wont give a med cert until they are happy with it.

[tnarg]

Check out my profile pic. They left my that way. My brother has broken his 3 times and the last time they waited 6 weeks before operating. Then botched the operation, but that's another long story.
Good luck with the recovery. It is amazing how the bones can kinda heal. I was back on the dirt bike in 8 weeks just.

[1Triplered]

I broke mine in March at Rd 4 of the Nats. (Plus 4 ribs and punctured lung)

It wasn't healing so I pushed for the operation but kept getting told to wait. The majority do heal by themselves I was told.

Mine didn't look like it was going to, so I finally had the operation in July. My shoulder is still recovering from the trauma and lack of use for 6 odd months but fortunately I will be able to compete in the Nats 2013.

If it hasn't started to knit at your next check up, keep pushing for surgery mate. I will need to get the plate out in 6 months or so - more recovery LOL



Easy to say Shane and I'm not usually a crasher but I can't control what other racers do :facepalm:

Yea they are definitly pushing for me to take the wait and see in another six weeks deal,
But to me seems a waste of time he has already said that it looks like a high chance of not healing so only option I think is surgery

Cheers

[Crasherfromwayback]

My right one is a two piece floating afffair. No real big deal.

[wysper]

Has anyone had this sort of time frame with broken collar bone?, should I have pushed for surgery on the day I originaly broke it because
Im sure It would be all good by now if I had.

Cheers:eek5:

My landlord had something similar. They told him the same thing.
Seems like if it heals on its own it heals better. The surgery can create its own problems if I remember what he told me correctly.

Still seems pretty rough!

[1Triplered]

Check out my profile pic. They left my that way. My brother has broken his 3 times and the last time they waited 6 weeks before operating. Then botched the operation, but that's another long story.
Good luck with the recovery. It is amazing how the bones can kinda heal. I was back on the dirt bike in 8 weeks just.

Mate thats hardcase, lol, yea looks broken alright and is that some small fragments floating in around there ?

So you had no operation for that? I just dont want to wait another six weeks tobe then told I then should have surgery then thats another few weeks after
that for recovery,

Cheers

[Fast Eddie]

Sweet thread - I saw a couple posts above that have had surgery and recovering.

I just had 3 screws put in to hold bone together.. how long usually after surgery before you get decent use of the limb again? its been 2.5 weeks for me and still completely immobile..

hoping to race in another 3.5 / 4 weeks..

[Deano]

Sweet thread - I saw a couple posts above that have had surgery and recovering.

I just had 3 screws put in to hold bone together.. how long usually after surgery before you get decent use of the limb again? its been 2.5 weeks for me and still completely immobile..

hoping to race in another 3.5 / 4 weeks..

I think the reason mine wasn't healing was because one end of the break had also split along the bone. There was also a gap between the bones. I had my surgery on 6th July - plate and four screws. At 6 weeks I was told it was on its way to healing, then got the all clear that it was completely healed on 3rd October and so was able to start some decent physio exercises, as in actually putting it under load.

I don't quite have full range of motion yet but am hoping that will come with a bit more time and exercises. I am still rebuilding the muscle that depleted over the 3 or so months of basically having my arm immobile, and 6 or so months of not puting the joint under any load. I am only doing 3 sets of 15 press ups so far (on my knees like a girl) amongst other things, so its a slow process alright. I am also pushing further than my physio would like really.

To summarise - sometimes crashing really sucks.

[CHOPPA]

Get strapping tape nice and wide and tight, run it from your chest over your collar bone and down your back. Will make it feel much better and let it heal faster.

[c4.]

[QUOTE=1Triplered;1130439866]Ok, Came off my bike at AMCC Round 1, in race 1 clubmans,

Yeah mate, I was in that race, you were riding really well, couldn't coax the gixer to keep up with you. Came around turn 2, up into 3, just after the incident, couldn't believe it. The "road bump" is still a problem, last track day it got moved well out of medium fast 1st run. Def gonna keep an eye out Sunday. He's dangerous.

Heal well. Get back soon.
Respect.

[1Triplered]

I think the reason mine wasn't healing was because one end of the break had also split along the bone. There was also a gap between the bones. I had my surgery on 6th July - plate and four screws. At 6 weeks I was told it was on its way to healing, then got the all clear that it was completely healed on 3rd October and so was able to start some decent physio exercises, as in actually putting it under load.

I don't quite have full range of motion yet but am hoping that will come with a bit more time and exercises. I am still rebuilding the muscle that depleted over the 3 or so months of basically having my arm immobile, and 6 or so months of not putting the joint under any load. I am only doing 3 sets of 15 press ups so far (on my knees like a girl) amongst other things, so its a slow process alright. I am also pushing further than my physio would like really.

To summarise - sometimes crashing really sucks.

Jesus! 3 months from surgery to getting all clear! That's longer than I was hoping, so basically I could be missing , well will be missing round 3, probably 4
aswell, by the looks of it, This really sucks

[1Triplered]

Get strapping tape nice and wide and tight, run it from your chest over your collar bone and down your back. Will make it feel much better and let it heal faster.

Thanks Choppa will do that,

[Kickaha]

I know five people that have broken collarbones from racing, all of them have ended up having surgery generally after waiting 4-8 weeks and being told "it isn't healing properly"

If I ever break one I'm fucked if I'll be leaving it to heal by itself

[FJRider]

I broke mine ... 9 weeks before I was back at work. Take it easy ... otherwise it will be longer. MUCH longer.

[1Triplered]

[QUOTE=1Triplered;1130439866]Ok, Came off my bike at AMCC Round 1, in race 1 clubmans,

Yeah mate, I was in that race, you were riding really well, couldn't coax the gixer to keep up with you. Came around turn 2, up into 3, just after the incident, couldn't believe it. The "road bump" is still a problem, last track day it got moved well out of medium fast 1st run. Def gonna keep an eye out Sunday. He's dangerous.

Heal well. Get back soon.
Respect.

LOL, "speed Bump" lol, cheers yea will be there on sunday all going well, Watching

Good luck

[1Triplered]

I know five people that have broken collarbones from racing, all of them have ended up having surgery generally after waiting 4-8 weeks and being told "it isn't healing properly"

If I ever break one I'm fucked if I'll be leaving it to heal by itself

Yea thats exactly it mate, I actually went down to my GP and asked him what's his opinion, he took a look at the xray and said thats not going to heal back
togeather anytime soon and why are they mucking around, if I left it, it could start causing problems further down the track, then surgery gets more complicated
and might need bone graphs etc,

If the bones are close togeather yea they probably will heal but if can drive a truck between surly not.

[flyingcarpet]

They sure can be trouble... broke my left collarbone into three pieces in april 2006 , they made me wait till september before they opperated, plate -9 screws , bone graft , and they fu**d that up bad...then i waited untill april 2007 for them to cut me up again to fix things , plate & 6 srews , bone graft ....medical clearance in November 2008.......2010 broke my right collarbone , didnt bother going to the hospital , but its only split and a bit outa shape .

[tbs]

Our GP has always told us "here in NZ you have to be your own health advocate." Hooray for the public health system and all but never wait around for the doctors to make up their minds. It sounds like you know fairly well you need the surgery. Time to force the issue.

Tail End Charlie told me about your 'crash'. Stink!

[Robert Taylor]

Jesus! 3 months from surgery to getting all clear! That's longer than I was hoping, so basically I could be missing , well will be missing round 3, probably 4
aswell, by the looks of it, This really sucks

Have you investigated if it could be fast tracked if you go private?

Plenty of people here moaning about the health system but any Government of the day doesnt have a bottomless pit of ( taxpayer funded ) money to keep throwing at it, which in itself is no guarantee of better service

[neil_cb125t]

I think the reason mine wasn't healing was because one end of the break had also split along the bone. There was also a gap between the bones. I had my surgery on 6th July - plate and four screws. At 6 weeks I was told it was on its way to healing, then got the all clear that it was completely healed on 3rd October and so was able to start some decent physio exercises, as in actually putting it under load.

I don't quite have full range of motion yet but am hoping that will come with a bit more time and exercises. I am still rebuilding the muscle that depleted over the 3 or so months of basically having my arm immobile, and 6 or so months of not puting the joint under any load. I am only doing 3 sets of 15 press ups so far (on my knees like a girl) amongst other things, so its a slow process alright. I am also pushing further than my physio would like really.

To summarise - sometimes crashing really sucks.

Broke mine back in like 2003 - was on acc for 11 motns, bones kept moving for another 2 years after that. Had to prove to the Airforce docs that I was ok.....few years later its settled, never had a problem since..... I had a delayed union and a massive gap between the breaks......the told me that pinning it would mean if it went again then it would shatter....so I left it. The main reason they didn't op on me is I had no pain through-out the whole thing.....didn't know it was broken till I tried to pick up the bike. Leaving it worked for me, but took ages.

road riding is dangerous thats why I changed to racing :-)

[1Triplered]

Have you investigated if it could be fast tracked if you go private?

Plenty of people here moaning about the health system but any Government of the day doesnt have a bottomless pit of ( taxpayer funded ) money to keep throwing at it, which in itself is no guarantee of better service

Yes, but you see I made the mistake of not going to my GP for his advice straight after I got out of hospital,
When I broke it they said they might keep me in to pin it back together, no worries,

Next sentance was we don't do surgery on collarbones, they normally heal back together, no worries,

Come back in six weeks, (six weeks Later) been back, now its a high chance this won't heal, but It could do,

Come back in six weeks and we will see what its like, or have surgery,
That's when I went to see GP, in his opinion should have been refered to private straight away, and advised that I should have surgery.
So the answer to private is yes it might have back then, if i had of seeked more answers back then, now I will be doing it through hospital,

They have me booked for next wednsday, but are still pushing or sugesting . no pushing that waiting another six weeks is a option.

[desmoto]

Hey mate,as you know i did the same thing 6 months ago & got told it would be ok. Now its become quite uncomfortable lifting my arm up, and i m going back to the doctors soon. Be good to see you on sunday. Des

[Deano]

Oh yeah - I did need a bone graft as well.

Best of luck with it!

[Deano]

Have you investigated if it could be fast tracked if you go private?

Plenty of people here moaning about the health system but any Government of the day doesnt have a bottomless pit of ( taxpayer funded ) money to keep throwing at it, which in itself is no guarantee of better service

ACC is pretty flush isn't it?

[1Triplered]

Hey mate,as you know i did the same thing 6 months ago & got told it would be ok. Now its become quite uncomfortable lifting my arm up, and i m going back to the doctors soon. Be good to see you on sunday. Des

Hey mate, yea well the wife said to me ... and how long is this going to take to heal! Oh no worries I said , Desmoto broke his and
was back in the saddle shortly after, LOL, I think we did that track day at puke not long after,

will see you on sunday

Cheers

[1Triplered]

Oh yeah - I did need a bone graft as well.

Best of luck with it!

Yea cheers Deano, It's reasuring me that you have had the operation and are still saying yes get the op done don't wait.
I havn't seen really any evidence yet of surgery is a bad idea, appart from there is always that risk of some sort of complication, or stuffup.
but that is a risk in any surgery anyway.

Cheers

[Fast Eddie]

I havn't seen really any evidence yet of surgery is a bad idea
but that is a risk in any surgery anyway.

Cheers

yea they didn't tell me much pre op, they got me into surgery pretty quick cause it was a rough break. But with surgery you run the risk of them disturbing tendons/muscles/nerves.. I'm yet to see any healing myself, I can't feel some areas and very stiff. I'm hoping to get full use back.. but not seeing any progress yet. Its only been 3 weeks I guess but I thought I'd be moving or something by now.

[Deano]

yea they didn't tell me much pre op, they got me into surgery pretty quick cause it was a rough break. But with surgery you run the risk of them disturbing tendons/muscles/nerves.. I'm yet to see any healing myself, I can't feel some areas and very stiff. I'm hoping to get full use back.. but not seeing any progress yet. Its only been 3 weeks I guess but I thought I'd be moving or something by now.

Try not to get disheartened - it can be a slow process, especially when you're past 40 like me LOL. 3 weeks is bugger all really.

Incidentally, I heard that in the UK a guy had his fused together with a laser and was doing press ups after 3 weeks. If only we had that here.

[richban]

Try not to get disheartened - it can be a slow process, especially when you're past 40 like me LOL. 3 weeks is bugger all really.

Incidentally, I heard that in the UK a guy had his fused together with a laser and was doing press ups after 3 weeks. If only we had that here.



6 times for me. 3 on each side. Used to race downhill on a bicycle. Silly idea. Mine were all good on the healing side but as above I was 18 years younger. I did one in the US and a doctor there said to take lots of calcium and vitamin D. Vitamin D helps absorb calcium. Not sure if it spend it up but I did race 2 weeks later. But I was young and even more stupid than now. Maybe do a little research on that front see if it may work for you. Good luck.

[PrincessBandit]

After mine still not healing 9 months after my accident I had surgery - plate screwed across the top to line it up again. Mine was broken in two planes (vertically and laterally) so the ends were never going to join up and heal of their own accord. Was riding again only a few weeks after the accident and ok before the op but even though the operation went without a hitch it was then a few months before I could ride again. Depends what kind of a break it is and whether you want it back in one piece.

[Fast Eddie]

Try not to get disheartened - it can be a slow process, especially when you're past 40 like me LOL. 3 weeks is bugger all really.

Incidentally, I heard that in the UK a guy had his fused together with a laser and was doing press ups after 3 weeks. If only we had that here.

yea true, hope in a couple more weeks it shows some improvement. Lasers! shit that sounds cool haha..


take lots of calcium and vitamin D. Vitamin D helps absorb calcium. Not sure if it spend it up but I did race 2 weeks later.. Good luck.

cheers! I'll get into that for sure, anything in the hope of speeding it up to heal before Wanganui street race

[jellywrestler]

should I have pushed for surgery on the day I originaly broke it because
Im sure It would be all good by now if I had.

Cheers:eek5:
fact is probably the first thing they asked you when you busted it is wethere you can still feel your fingers etc.
this is because a lot of the nerves that work ya arm run real close to the bone and could've got damaged.
They try to avoid surgery to minimise the risk of damage to these nerves and you maybe losing some or all of the feelling and/or use of your arm
that's why they didn't leap to fix it your way

[jellywrestler]

Get strapping tape nice and wide and tight, run it from your chest over your collar bone and down your back. Will make it feel much better and let it heal faster.

good place to write your shopping list on too so you don't lose it

[1Triplered]

After mine still not healing 9 months after my accident I had surgery - plate screwed across the top to line it up again. Mine was broken in two planes (vertically and laterally) so the ends were never going to join up and heal of their own accord. Was riding again only a few weeks after the accident and ok before the op but even though the operation went without a hitch it was then a few months before I could ride again. Depends what kind of a break it is and whether you want it back in one piece.

Yea , I have pretty good movement in my arm at the moment, well still painfull at times , can't really lift my arm up above head height plus some other stuff, but yea when I went back to hospital for 6 week check I was a happy chappy because I thought sweet get medical clearance, all good straight forward really, back racing no worries,

But no they won't give medical clearance until they see healing between the broken bones so it's back in one piece,
also the surgon said " high chance of not healing", why wait? dosn't make sense to me.

[Str8 Jacket]

also the surgon said " high chance of not healing", why wait? dosn't make sense to me.

I would hazard a guess that ACC guidelines along with the looong list of patients waiting for ops etc would have to do with it.....

[B17DUF]

Just a little bit of extra info for you buddy from my personal experience........

Broke my collar bone in march this year, as you i was told "It will heal on it's own". Have broken my collar bone 3 times before and they all healed perfectly on their own with no complications or problems, saying that I was under 16yrs old. This time I knew something was different! Looking at the X-ray it was clear that there was a 25mm gap between the two bones and it really didn't look like it was gonna heal on its own! Went back to my GP and voiced my concern, got a referral to a shoulder specialist (Craig Ball) but couldn't get in to see him for something stupid like 2 months.
By now 4weeks had passed and got another X-ray, still no new bone growing between the two broken ends. Was advised by my GP to got to ED (A&E) and try and see the authopedic specialist who was on call, happened to be the same guy i was referred to. I stressed to him the importance of my shoulder mobility (I'm a firefighter) and asked if sugery would be an option. He agreed that i'd be a good candidate, 31yrs old, fit (ish) and healthy. Went under the knife the following day so around 5 weeks after the break. Of course he explained that there is risk and possible complications but to me it was worth it to have fully movement and a bone in one piece and in the correct place. Was back to work on fully duties in 9weeks and pretty much back to full strenght in around 12-15 weeks. Now it wasn't an easy recovery, lots of physio and hard work in the gym but surgery was the best option for me. Due to get my plate and half a dozen screws out early next yr. Yes i have a 2" patch on my shoulder without any sensation but i can deal with that.
I suppose what my rambling is trying to say is that everyone is different and heals in different ways, if you think surgery is right for you then push for it. Wish you all the best in your recovery
Take care
Duff

[F5 Dave]

Yeah this brings back memories of a thread I started some while back (broken bones Waiting is the hardest part). What surprises me the the amount of people who still have breaks & they float & live normal lives. I think this may have to do with where the break is. All I know is I was not a happy camper & couldn't do shit all.

My break was near the shoulder end & they are less likely to heal. Having done the big wait & many x rays & a bigger wait for surgery I'd still have rather it healed itself. Would have been a quicker process, but some people don't heal as quick (age seems to hinder) as does the break itself which has so many variables.

Also the calcium tablets (with or without D) is unfortunately total Bullshit. I quaffed bottles of them in hope. But it turns out the early research was bollocks & trials had been run only on old ladies + several other errors with the tests. Proper research has found that it doesn't help healthy adults at all. Worse it can lead to calcification of arteries. The supplement industry keeps ignoring new research & plugs on selling product using original lies.


here's my minuscule wisdom. Buy slip on shoes. Use a luggage strap for a sling in the shower. Don't move to a soft comfort sling until you are a month or so in at least.

If you do get an operation they often leave the plate in. But it does mean if you crash again there is holes drilled in the bones. This is why healing by itself if it does is good.

It was a relief when they took my plate out as it was a hook plate & they irratate a little. Holes grow back when screws removed apparently.


recovery hints for Deano (from my limited totally unqualified experience); You are doing the right thing with Physio & gym work, it really helped me. But the last bit of motion & strength was elusive till I developed a technique that got me everything back & I'd been out of action heck maybe for a year.

When you are ready; Lie on your back, straight arms & place them outstretched. Lift your arms to a clap & just miss & further. Arms above head & do full range. This is probably ok if you've been doing gym work.

But then slowly work between zero degrees (up) & 90 degrees (outstretched sideways) & you will locate areas of weakness. this is what you need to work. The weak areas.

Do the arm motion as close as you can to the weak area & just start to work into the area. You may only be able to lift you arms an inch. Keep working it. the pain will go one day.

Eventually you will be able to do it in all positions & that's when you add small dumb-bell weights. before you know it what seemed impossible is now capable of doing quite reasonable weight. I did it every night for quite some weeks but it worked so I pretty much can't tell between the sides.