Broken collarbone, any advice?
Discussion
Hi folks, yesterday morning I managed to crash my MTB and hurt my shoulder, the x-ray below shows the damage.
The pain was like nothing I have ever felt before, the surrounding muscles were going into spasm at the hospital. I was pretty sure that it would need an operation but the doc put me in a sling and packed me off home saying that 6-8 weeks in a sling and I will be good as new.
Does anyone have experience of this? How quickly did you heal?
More importantly any tips on how to deal with the pain and sleeping issues? I can't get comfortable and any movement is extremely painful. Medication doesn't seem to be taking the edge off at all.
The pain was like nothing I have ever felt before, the surrounding muscles were going into spasm at the hospital. I was pretty sure that it would need an operation but the doc put me in a sling and packed me off home saying that 6-8 weeks in a sling and I will be good as new.
Does anyone have experience of this? How quickly did you heal?
More importantly any tips on how to deal with the pain and sleeping issues? I can't get comfortable and any movement is extremely painful. Medication doesn't seem to be taking the edge off at all.
I first broke my collar bone when I was 3. Well, I didn't but my brother did and I remember it quite vividly. My advice would be to not over do anything and let it set properly. I did not so I broke my collar bone for the second time when I was 6. It was clearly a bone waiting to break as all it took was a 6 year old girl bumping into me.
I have not had any further issues in the last 30+ years.
I have not had any further issues in the last 30+ years.
Funnily enough I did it when I was a child climbing out of my cot (that's what my folks say anyway, maybe I got dropkicked down the stairs for being a wee brat)
Currently any movement is extremely painful,trying not to move it whatsoever but find that if it rests in one position for too long as soon as I move it the pain is excruciating.
Currently any movement is extremely painful,trying not to move it whatsoever but find that if it rests in one position for too long as soon as I move it the pain is excruciating.
A mate of mine broke his collarbone riding MX.
He’s heard about this guy who ‘welds’ the bone back together so went and had it done.
He’s a mechanic with his own garage so couldn’t have afforded to keep the place closed for 8 weeks. He was back in action within a week, incredible stuff!
https://www.physioclinic.net/treatments/
He’s heard about this guy who ‘welds’ the bone back together so went and had it done.
He’s a mechanic with his own garage so couldn’t have afforded to keep the place closed for 8 weeks. He was back in action within a week, incredible stuff!
https://www.physioclinic.net/treatments/
My x Ray looked just like that, same shoulder and everything. Only I did mine falling off my bike, on a straight, flat, smooth, level empty road. And it was 3 days before my first swimming gala I had managed to get into, after months of training to get fast enough. Never made it back into the team..
But other than that, the bone joins itself back together again fairly quickly, and then mine grew back to the same length as my left shoulder. I got out of all writing for a month, but probably could have got going again in 2 weeks - much to my joy and my teachers hate. Absolutely no lasting negative effects, apart from the continuous question of why I fell off.
I was 15 or 16, so a worryingly long time ago. I could hunch my shoulders forward and you could see the section of double bone for ages, like 15 plus years.
I might have been given paracetamol and that was it, I found sleeping on a couch easier than my bed, showers were interesting as I could not remove the sling without holding my arm for the first week at least.
In summary, take a week off if you have desk job, by then it will have started to join and you can use the computer one handed...
Good luck and keep us informed on how it goes!
But other than that, the bone joins itself back together again fairly quickly, and then mine grew back to the same length as my left shoulder. I got out of all writing for a month, but probably could have got going again in 2 weeks - much to my joy and my teachers hate. Absolutely no lasting negative effects, apart from the continuous question of why I fell off.
I was 15 or 16, so a worryingly long time ago. I could hunch my shoulders forward and you could see the section of double bone for ages, like 15 plus years.
I might have been given paracetamol and that was it, I found sleeping on a couch easier than my bed, showers were interesting as I could not remove the sling without holding my arm for the first week at least.
In summary, take a week off if you have desk job, by then it will have started to join and you can use the computer one handed...
Good luck and keep us informed on how it goes!
I broke mine when I was a toddler then again when I was 19 and came off my motorbike. It didn’t actually hurt much, the only time it was bad was in bed. I found stacking pillows so I was in a more seated position helped. Don’t think I had any time off Uni, and just drove with one hand for a little bit.
Think it must have ‘healed’ fairly quickly. But it did used to hurt sometimes, just odd bits of pain randomly, it did that for years, and sometimes used to creak.
The doctor told me they’d leave it to set and then if it set wrong they’d break it again and nail it in place. I remember saying afterwards that if it ever happened again I’d try to insist that they nailed it straight away because it did annoy me for a long time afterwards.
Think it must have ‘healed’ fairly quickly. But it did used to hurt sometimes, just odd bits of pain randomly, it did that for years, and sometimes used to creak.
The doctor told me they’d leave it to set and then if it set wrong they’d break it again and nail it in place. I remember saying afterwards that if it ever happened again I’d try to insist that they nailed it straight away because it did annoy me for a long time afterwards.
If you stay in a sling for 8 weeks you will be properly f***d. Your arm would never move again!
Anyway, you need to go to fracture clinic and have a proper chat about the pros and cons of clavicle fixation. Ask to speak to someone who does a few of them and follows them up.
I'd probably leave it if it were mine, but there are definite reasons to have it fixed if it's right for you. You've only put up 1 X-ray so difficult to say for sure. I enjoy fixing them, but the proximity of the lung/big bast**d blood vessels does focus the mind.
You should be taking lots of pain killers. Last time I broke anything it took paracetamol, ibuprofen, codeine and red wine. Red wine is NOT medical advice!
Anyway, you need to go to fracture clinic and have a proper chat about the pros and cons of clavicle fixation. Ask to speak to someone who does a few of them and follows them up.
I'd probably leave it if it were mine, but there are definite reasons to have it fixed if it's right for you. You've only put up 1 X-ray so difficult to say for sure. I enjoy fixing them, but the proximity of the lung/big bast**d blood vessels does focus the mind.
You should be taking lots of pain killers. Last time I broke anything it took paracetamol, ibuprofen, codeine and red wine. Red wine is NOT medical advice!
bristolbaron said:
A mate of mine broke his collarbone riding MX.
He’s heard about this guy who ‘welds’ the bone back together so went and had it done.
He’s a mechanic with his own garage so couldn’t have afforded to keep the place closed for 8 weeks. He was back in action within a week, incredible stuff!
https://www.physioclinic.net/treatments/
Go and see Brian. He treats all the top bike riders and what he does is incredible. I've used him a few times. He can work wonders. You'll be doing press-ups in no time. Money well spent 👍He’s heard about this guy who ‘welds’ the bone back together so went and had it done.
He’s a mechanic with his own garage so couldn’t have afforded to keep the place closed for 8 weeks. He was back in action within a week, incredible stuff!
https://www.physioclinic.net/treatments/
Thanks for all the replies folks, appears that we are a right clumsy bunch!
The doctor I saw gave me a cocodamol/paracetamol/ibuprofen combo as pain relief. It seems to be taking the edge off things a little today. I also received a call from the clinic saying the consultant wants to see me in 3 weeks to see how it is progressing. I am hoping at that point he will say it's okay to ditch the sling.
I would consider an operation and that chap Brian sounds fantastic but I live in Northern Scotland so a bit of a trek when in so much discomfort.
Glad to hear that people seem to heal naturally, i just struggle with lack of sleep and have been looking at reclining chairs!
Here are the 2 xrays they took, looks nasty to me but I have no idea what I am looking at.
The doctor I saw gave me a cocodamol/paracetamol/ibuprofen combo as pain relief. It seems to be taking the edge off things a little today. I also received a call from the clinic saying the consultant wants to see me in 3 weeks to see how it is progressing. I am hoping at that point he will say it's okay to ditch the sling.
I would consider an operation and that chap Brian sounds fantastic but I live in Northern Scotland so a bit of a trek when in so much discomfort.
Glad to hear that people seem to heal naturally, i just struggle with lack of sleep and have been looking at reclining chairs!
Here are the 2 xrays they took, looks nasty to me but I have no idea what I am looking at.
Far Cough said:
Give him a ring anyway mate. Cannot hurt and maybe even send him the x-rays to have a quick look at. It may be worth a trip down for a couple of sessions over the course of a day or 2 to speed up your recovery time.
Seriously considering this, any downsides to this or long term issues? I am happy to pay to hurry things along bit don't want to interfere with nature too much.Yours looks like it has broken inwards and down towards your body. A friend (we are still friends) ran me over when we were younger and mine broke upwards almost piercing the skin. Docs did nothing but a sling and it has now healed with a massive doorstep jump where the break is. For me it was a year before I could sleep properly on my side without pain and that was the side I slept on so had to change.
I broke mine 18 months ago - wheel slipped out on my gravel bike turning off the road. Your brake looks very similar to mine. My left shoulder was about 4cm shorted than my right and I had a shard "tenting upwards". The A&E doctor put me in a sling and told me I would be contacted by the fracture clinic...
I found sleeping a real hassle and struggled to get comfortable, even with differnt "apparatus" to keep me propped up in bed...
After 2 weeks I eventually saw a specialist when I met him for the cosultation he told me that he ran the local hospitals fracture clinic and most weeks the fracture clinic is mainly cyclists with borken collarbones... He reviewed the X-Rays and recommended surgery.... 9 days later, nearly 4 weeks after the accident my shoudler was operated on with a titanium plate holding the bone back how it should be. post operation evrything felt much better - I was much more comfortable and my sholders were/are no longer lopsided. I also found sleeping a lot easier. I started some basic physio a few days after the operation and about 2 weeks after the operation I could get rid of the sling but it was about 3 months later that I was allowed to cycle outside...
Once the bone had healed the movement of my left ar/shoulder joint felt very restricted. The doctor considered using a cortizone injection to free it up but was concerned due to the metal plate.
After 18 months I now have nearly full movement in my shoulder but it still hurts occaisionally, especially when the weather is cold.
I found sleeping a real hassle and struggled to get comfortable, even with differnt "apparatus" to keep me propped up in bed...
After 2 weeks I eventually saw a specialist when I met him for the cosultation he told me that he ran the local hospitals fracture clinic and most weeks the fracture clinic is mainly cyclists with borken collarbones... He reviewed the X-Rays and recommended surgery.... 9 days later, nearly 4 weeks after the accident my shoudler was operated on with a titanium plate holding the bone back how it should be. post operation evrything felt much better - I was much more comfortable and my sholders were/are no longer lopsided. I also found sleeping a lot easier. I started some basic physio a few days after the operation and about 2 weeks after the operation I could get rid of the sling but it was about 3 months later that I was allowed to cycle outside...
Once the bone had healed the movement of my left ar/shoulder joint felt very restricted. The doctor considered using a cortizone injection to free it up but was concerned due to the metal plate.
After 18 months I now have nearly full movement in my shoulder but it still hurts occaisionally, especially when the weather is cold.
I mullered mine snowboarding 3 or so years ago and broke it into about 5 pieces, surgery was the only option, so i've got a plate in there and about 8 screws...it was very nearly a compound fracture, not pleasant.
Recovery took forever, I was off a snowboard for about 9 months, and union took forever (I'm fit and was early 30s, non-smoker).
Sleeping was troublesome but codiene was my saviour.
I have permananent nerve damage from the surgery so have weird sensation in my shoulder and upper arm, and for a few months after the surgery was having numb sensations in my face too.
However the plate itself has done the trick, i returned to sport eventually and have slammed on that shoulder a couple of times, everything held up OK sofar.
I can't really wear backpacks anymore as they press directly on the plate and screws which gives me stabbing pain, and passenger seatbelts are occasionally an issue... but that pain has subsided compared to the first 12 months post op.
Your break doesn't look too bad so I would only consider surgery if they are insistent, recovery takes forever and you will have some lasting effects.
Recovery took forever, I was off a snowboard for about 9 months, and union took forever (I'm fit and was early 30s, non-smoker).
Sleeping was troublesome but codiene was my saviour.
I have permananent nerve damage from the surgery so have weird sensation in my shoulder and upper arm, and for a few months after the surgery was having numb sensations in my face too.
However the plate itself has done the trick, i returned to sport eventually and have slammed on that shoulder a couple of times, everything held up OK sofar.
I can't really wear backpacks anymore as they press directly on the plate and screws which gives me stabbing pain, and passenger seatbelts are occasionally an issue... but that pain has subsided compared to the first 12 months post op.
Your break doesn't look too bad so I would only consider surgery if they are insistent, recovery takes forever and you will have some lasting effects.
designforlife said:
I have permananent nerve damage from the surgery so have weird sensation in my shoulder and upper arm, and for a few months after the surgery was having numb sensations in my face too.
Good point - I forgot to mention the permanent numb sensation around my shoulder from the surgery....
Yeah i feel like my skin is on fire when i touch it, was very weird at first but it has lessened somewhat.
the trouble with that whole area is that they need to slice through a lot of stuff to effect the repair, so lots of things get damaged and disturbed.
Another thing to consider if you go the plate route, is that a bad fall could transfer the force of a break to the ends of the collarbone, which isn't ideal as this is more complicated to fix.
the trouble with that whole area is that they need to slice through a lot of stuff to effect the repair, so lots of things get damaged and disturbed.
Another thing to consider if you go the plate route, is that a bad fall could transfer the force of a break to the ends of the collarbone, which isn't ideal as this is more complicated to fix.
A Cochrane Review (they sift through evidence and produce trustworthy, independent conclusions)
https://www.cochrane.org/CD009363/MUSKINJ_surgical...
I wouldn't have mine fixed unless it was 3+cm shortened, or didn't heal in 3 weeks.
The scar complication rate is appreciably high.
And a complicated review article with pictures https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC37287...
https://www.cochrane.org/CD009363/MUSKINJ_surgical...
I wouldn't have mine fixed unless it was 3+cm shortened, or didn't heal in 3 weeks.
The scar complication rate is appreciably high.
And a complicated review article with pictures https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC37287...
R1gtr said:
Seriously considering this, any downsides to this or long term issues? I am happy to pay to hurry things along bit don't want to interfere with nature too much.
No mate. You'll get a simple explanation as to whether he can help. None of the pro racers would use him if it was no good or the surgical route was better. Only you can make that decision once you have spoken to him 
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