Shoulder injury; advice about metalwork

[Digga]

This is my shoulder at present:


For the background on this self-inflicted (no sympathy required) injury: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I have a specific question to ask in regard to this sort of injury:

I'm not looking for general 'I broke my collar bone' stories (and yes I do know Bradley Wiggins will be back on a bike by now) but rather advice and wisdom those who've had one of these plate thingies screwed to their collar bone (clavicle).

I'm told all the other junk should be removed in October, but the plate has to stay in situ for another year. This leaves a dilemma; do I get back on the bike after recoering from the October op', and risk a fall whilst this plate's still srewed in place; or do I wait/find another adrenaline fix?

I'm interested to know generally, but especially cyclists (mtb and road) and also other rough 'n' tumble sports people. Surely someone who plays rugby has some experience of this?

Edited by Digga on Wednesday 17th August 12:21

[BlackVanDyke]

Probably MTB bad idea, road fine-ish. See Fiorenzo Magni in rule 5.

Not a cyclist myself but lived with a serious road racer for a couple of years and have lots of experience of bad shoulder injuries, although am not allowed surgery (too risky )

[Stu R]

Plate in my shoulder never stopped me skiing, DH MTB'ing or doing MX. Plenty of people with longer term metalwork in place manage just fine so I figured I would be too.

[Digga]

BVD; thnk you for the most educational post. Read the story of my injury; I'm already on two-parts sharp sand to one part cement breakfasts.

StuR, I assume your plate must also have a few screws in situ too?

[bonkbonk]

Dad broke his collarbone cycling in January, seems to have returned to road-biking with no problems other than some loss of fitness! I assume re-breaking it would be a bad idea with or without a plate in, so wouldn't worry on that count so long as you've regained sufficient strength.

[gjf764]

7 weeks post op with mine( rugby) just had an internal plate like yours but without all the extra bits.
I broke it alongside a previous plate from 6 years ago. Surgeon said I'm good for anything bar contact ( tackling etc) and I can start doing that 3 months post op.
Just ask if you want to know more!
Gary

[Stu R]

Digga said:

BVD; thnk you for the most educational post. Read the story of my injury; I'm already on two-parts sharp sand to one part cement breakfasts.

StuR, I assume your plate must also have a few screws in situ too?

Yep, I've got more screws in me than Wormwood Scrubs Mainly because I seem to be good at crashing motorbikes.

[Digga]

bonkbonk said:

Dad broke his collarbone cycling in January, seems to have returned to road-biking with no problems other than some loss of fitness! I assume re-breaking it would be a bad idea with or without a plate in...

World of difference between a broken collar bone and one which requires surgery - see OP.

gjf764 said:

7 weeks post op with mine( rugby) just had an internal plate like yours but without all the extra bits.
I broke it alongside a previous plate from 6 years ago. Surgeon said I'm good for anything bar contact ( tackling etc) and I can start doing that 3 months post op.
Just ask if you want to know more!
Gary

My plate 'feels'very close to the surface, as though a good knock might split the skin, a bit like a the sort of cuts boxers get around the eye socket. Then again, maybe I do need to HTFU.

[bonkbonk]

Digga said:

World of difference between a broken collar bone and one which requires surgery - see OP.

I saw the OP, his injury did require surgery to put a plate in, sorry for failing to make that clear. He's had discomfort from the screws, one of which has worked itself loose, none of this has impeded his cycling afaik, although I confess he doesn't go for downhill MTBing!

[gjf764]

The skin wont split, my girlfriend managed to blag her way into the latest op and she was quite surprised how far down it actually is.
I've just noticed you said that the plate will come out in a year, is there any reason for this? My new one is staying in for good, my old one was just taken out as it had served its purpose.
Have you got a consultant in the UK you are seeing for your aftercare?

[Digga]

gjf764 said:

I've just noticed you said that the plate will come out in a year, is there any reason for this?

Two reasons:

1. original operating surgeon in Bourg St Maurice intended for it to be removed approximately 18 months after the initial surgery.
2. if find it uncomfortable and disconcerting - I'm sure I won;t get used to it and, as an engineer, the screws just look like they'd propagage multiple fractures if I had another crash. IMHO

gjf764 said:

Have you got a consultant in the UK you are seeing for your aftercare?

Yes, he's a sports injury specialist, with a lot of knowledge on shoulders - rubgy players included - so i think I'm in good hands.

He did do that 'tradesman' thing when he fist saw my x-ray; "I wouldn't have done it like that", like plumbers or electricians do, the first time they;re called to a look at a job, but he seems pretty positive about what we can do.

[gjf764]

You'll be fine, just go with what he says. I was just mega unlucky managing to break mine again according to my surgeon.
Should have got a carbon fibre one like Lance.....
http://www.bikerumor.com/2009/04/01/lance-armstron...

[Digga]

gjf764 said:

I was just mega unlucky managing to break mine again according to my surgeon.

I was told that, at some point prior to the latest crash, I'd fubared my AC ligaments (I think I know when) and that this had resulted in a very pronounced claivcle displacement when I crashed in the Alps.

gjf764 said:

Should have got a carbon fibre one like Lance.....
http://www.bikerumor.com/2009/04/01/lance-armstron...

fk that! Might be okay for a roadie, but look what happened to my carbon bars when I crashed and bear in mind these aren't 'standard' carbon fibre, but CNT (carbon nano tube) downhill bars:

Note the shard on the grip end.

[KaraK]

Digga said:

gjf764 said:

I was just mega unlucky managing to break mine again according to my surgeon.

I was told that, at some point prior to the latest crash, I'd fubared my AC ligaments (I think I know when) and that this had resulted in a very pronounced claivcle displacement when I crashed in the Alps.

gjf764 said:

Should have got a carbon fibre one like Lance.....
http://www.bikerumor.com/2009/04/01/lance-armstron...

fk that! Might be okay for a roadie, but look what happened to my carbon bars when I crashed and bear in mind these aren't 'standard' carbon fibre, but CNT (carbon nano tube) downhill bars:

Note the shard on the grip end.

Might I suggest checking the date on that Lance Armstrong article

[Digga]

KaraK said:

Might I suggest checking the date on that Lance Armstrong article

Tought it was a daft idea!