Broken collarbone

[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

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.