Collarbone surgery...recovery

[designforlife]

After 12 years of snowboarding I finally managed to break my collarbone on the 2nd June...in 3 places no less, it was a bit of a mess so they decided ORIF was the way to go.

Fast forward to now and I'm 4 weeks post-surgery...pain is more or less gone apart from some post surgery weird sensations and twinges...hoping to get the all clear at my follow up tomorrow to ditch the sling.

This brings me to my question- has anyone on here had collarbone ORIF? If so, how long did you wait to start driving again?

The docs I've spoken to have been vague to say the least, I'm not worried about the pain, as that's minimal at best and bearable at worst, but I am fairly paranoid about snapping the plate...and I can imagine changing gear is going to stress the collarbone at least a little.

Worth noting- I'd never get behind the wheel if I felt I couldn't safely control the car, as far as I'm concerned, I have passed that point.

[numtumfutunch]

Not helpful Im afraid but in my cycling group we have had half a dozen broken collar bones in the last few years - mostly recent ex runners with no bike craft and one dozy tt who should have known better but still managed to run into a stationary skip lorry whilst day dreaming

They were mostly ORIF'd with varying advice according to how badly theyd smashed it

Clean snap chap was told to get back on his bike trainer in a handful of days
Multiple bone fragment man was grounded for months

You almost certainly need to ask your surgeon to get the best advice for you

Good luck and heal fast

[Freakuk]

I broke my right collarbone in. 3 places around 8 years ago in a bike (motorcycle) race, had to wait 2 weeks before I could see the specialist I wanted and have the op (plate and 7 screws). It was an instant fix and like you I have weird sensations and random pains, usually sharp pain.

I was racing again 5 weeks after the op, it was weak but it held up. I've had multiple crashes, bikes, MTB, snowboarding to name a few since and it's still intact, but I do still get the odd pain in there, realistically I should have had it removed 2 years after my op but I don't see the point.

HTH

[alackofspeed]

Broke mine into several pieces and had it plated. Took it easy for a while, but ignored the advice to not use my arm for weeks and had very nearly perfect mobility in no time.

Had the plate removed after a year and comfort was instantly improved.

[designforlife]

Had my second follow up this morning (4 weeks post surgery)...and got more vague answers to my questions.

The registrar consultant was pretty nondescript and evasive when i pressed him about when i could drive again...and I have another follow up in 8 weeks.

He said i can now wean myself off the sling, but to be honest was a bit vague about that too.

It seems they don't want to be seen to be giving guidance on return to driving, so looks like it's a decision i'll have to take for myself.