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Those of the Collarbone Club

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Posted by: HomeMadeSin

For those of us 'fortunate' enough to experience a collarbone fracture, which option did you choose (natural or surgery)? Did you have a choice? For natural healers, did you end up having to get surgery anyway? Do you have permanent numbness where they cut you? How was the muscles post- physical training?
And what was the worst part?

I can tell you that I told I had a 50-50 chance of healing on my own. I couldn't take the bones touching (not painful, just made me nauseaus (sp?)), so I opted for surgery. I have 5 screws in my right collarbone as the break was spiral in nature (looked like two separate breaks on x-ray). No plate. I could tell after surgery (between Percosets) that things were .....solid. The 1st week sucked, felling out of it and invalid-like. But now what sucks (I'm at about 5 weeks), is having a freaking itch where I'm numb and catch scratch it!!!!! That is tied for the worst with having the hair grow back (yes, I'm not one of those lesbo men with no hair on their chest ).


Posted by: oldguy

My collarbone was finally showing signs of slight calcification after 5 months when I went down again a couple weeks back- Now I can feel it floating free again. My Dr gave me less then 50/50 chance of it healing and recommended just letting it float around. I guess since there is very little pain or loss of mobility I am going to leave it be and hope I get lucky and it heals without surgery. I have already had 2 surgeries (rotator cuff reattachment 15 yrs and 9 yrs ago) on the same shoulder.


Posted by: jsned

Mine was severely displaced. The doc said it would probably not grow back. But he said wait and see not jump into surgery. 1 month later it is growing back very well. He couldnt believe it. I never wore the sling, was never givin a figure 8, and have been moving my arm pretty good except for the first 9-10 days. I have a huge deformation because it broke off the last 1 1/2 inch of the bone and it is now under the long part. The doc said if it didnt bother me it didnt bother him. There goes my modeling career though. As far as pain goes it is very minor now and I never had to take but maybe 5 or 6 vicodins the whole time.

I know this is changing the subject a little, but I have been hearing a lot of people say they think the helmet broke the bone. I am convinced it was my chest protector. The shoulder pad was split in half and I had a cut right on top of the bone. Definitely going to try some other type of pads.


Posted by: fatherandson

At the two week visit to the ortho I asked about surgery, but I had enough calcium growth not to worry about going under the knife.  On Monday I had my 6 week visit and he gave me the "all clear".

I had to use the pain killers for the first three weeks, but the Rush story had just become public....


Posted by: Gary B.

The bones moving around made me think it would NEVER heal. Especially when I slipped on some wet stairs two weeks later and hooked the bad arm in the railing on my way down. I don't know what hurt worse, the actual pain, or the thought that I just lost two weeks of healing time. BTW, I was wondering how other folks broke theirs. My shoulder got pushed back in my fall. The bone must have gotten broken by trying to bend around the muscles and other stuff in my shoulder. FYI-I heard the cracking noise and knew immediatly what had happened.


Posted by: KiwiBird

I think I was "lucky" in that I broke mine cleanly with the chin part of my helmet when I went over the bars at about 45 mph. I could feel the bones touch - I REALLY HATE THAT!!!

Wore the sling religously and it's healed very well with no after affects.

It was a big dull ache so I sucked on pain pills the first few days and slept in a chair for the first 3 days.

Riding back, loading and unloading the bike and driving my 6 speed manual truck was the worst of it.


Posted by: bratt

Mine healed up nice and quick. The worst part about it was remebering not to roll over on it in my sleep. I guess I was lucky, minimal pain and minimal disfigurement.


Posted by: Yogurt

Quote:
Originally posted by bratt
The worst part about it was remebering not to roll over on it in my sleep.


I'll second that! I broke mine about 2 seasons ago. I wore the shoulder sling, and it healed naturally in about 4-5 weeks. I never had any pain killers, not even so much as an asprin. Not trying to sound like a tough guy, but it never hurt me that much. Went to the ER and all they did was X-ray and give me shoulder sling. It was just a fracture. It only got sore when I didn't wear the shoulder sling.


Posted by: Walt Hollis

I broke mine on 9/24. The doc told me 2 months to heal, and then two more weeks to be on the safe side after that. I raced again on Thanksgiving, @ one week after the two month anniversary. It still bothers me after every riding session since and we are now coming up on three months. I was told that it may still cause pain after strenuous activity for up to six months.

The silver lining on all of this is that I now have a matching set. I broke the other side 30 years ago when jumping garbage cans on my Huffy. I used to have a slight dip to one side from that one, now I have leveled off.

I wear a chest protector and a 661 neck protector and it still broke. Bottom line is per my orthopedic surgeon, after a man hits 27 years old his bone strength decreases with every day of his life. So at 26 I may have been able to dust myself off and finish the moto, but at 38, it was Vicodin time.

- Walt


Posted by: joereitman

Quote:
Originally posted by Walt Hollis
I wear a chest protector and a 661 neck protector and it still broke. Bottom line is per my orthopedic surgeon, after a man hits 27 years old his bone strength decreases with every day of his life. So at 26 I may have been able to dust myself off and finish the moto, but at 38, it was Vicodin time.


How does the 661 compare to the EVS neck protector collar? My son and I both use the EVS and thought this was good insurance against collarbone breaks... Regarding bone strength, I am 37, so I have started focusing on lots of calcium every day, at least 3 glasses of milk. Can't hurt, right?


Posted by: HomeMadeSin

It seems I'm a minority in the fact I went for surgery. I guess I'll ball up and try the natural way next time.

Well, at least the screws in my collarbone didn't set off the alarms at the airport.


Posted by: Zerotact

I was amazed at how easily mine snapped, they told me it only takes like 15lbs of pressure or something like that.. Like KiwiBird Said the worst part for me was driving home a 1972 mercury, towing a 12x8 enclosed trailer. I was lucky enough to have someone help me load my bike for me....


Posted by: Humanimal

My freakin' collarbone healed by itself like this.. It looks a little strange. I was no "looker" before, and this did not help
_____________
________ \____________ <-- my overlapped broken collarbone
\________________
U could see it even when i had a sweatshirt on..
but now.. 6 months later, It looks alot better.. not as new but...


Posted by: Humanimal

hey It was not supposed to look like that!!! haha
well, what to do.. use your imagination..


Posted by: MikeT

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gary B.
FYI-I heard the cracking noise and knew immediatly what had happened.
TMI TMI!!!! Too much information. I am hurting just thinking about it!!!


Posted by: Mx Dude

Just saw this thread and thought I'd add my two cents.........broke my collar bone last summer. Went to the doctor and told him "I broke my collarbone". Long story...short version......shoulder continued to hurt months after the collarbone "should have" healed by....turns out the doctor didn't take the time to look more closely at my injuries...turns out I also torn my bicep and had some ligament damage in the shoulder. Now, almost a year later I'm still waiting for the bicep to heal after having 2 screws put in !!! And I thought that a collarbone break was no big deal....dooohhh !!!

Cliff


Posted by: bud

hmm says I have already voted tho I haven't. The concise version: Broke mine a couple years ago in 3 places. Didn't have surgery. Reinjured/rebroke it a couple of times during the healing process. But was back on the bike within 5-6 weeks (riding very gently). Eventually it joined and stuck leaving a bump. I still got occasional pain even up to 18 months afterward. Now the bump has all but disappeared, no pain. Pretty close to 100% recovery.


Posted by: boardadikt

I just broke my collarbone last thursday-went down quick in a corner. I do believe my shoulder pads helped me out and made my injury not as bad as it could have been. I had a friend load my bike and I drove myself to the ER. I didn't think it was that bad because I didn't have much pain. The doc showed me the x-ray and it showed it was completely broke. He gave me a sling and a bottle of vicodin and said it would take 6 weeks. I'm already out of the sling and back to work. Doc said I didn't need to wear it and that nothing will impede the healing except for a blow to the shoulder. Drinking milk won't help either. The only thing proven to help bone healing in severe cases is electrical stimulation. To say the least....I have had a dislocated shoulder, a separated shoulder, and now a broken collar bone....i'll take the broken bone any day over a ligament injury. Hopefully i'll be back on the bike and healed up soon!!!!


Posted by: marc_w

I busted mine about 12-15 years ago. It was a clean break, right in half, from landing directly on my shoulder.

They strung me up in some mid-eval harness that pulled my shoudlders back and kept the two halves of the bone from folding inwards. It healed naturally, but that bone is slightly more sunken in than the good one.


Posted by: HomeMadeSin

The break itself didn't seem so bad for me (painwise), but I had a spiral break (not so clean). The worst of it is, I haven't slept well ever since. I used to never wake up at night. Now I do and it sucks. No pain, just can't get a good night sleep. It must be psychological....


Posted by: whatAride

broke mine 8 weeks ago not riding, car accident and i have about 1/2 inch to 3/4 of an inch overlap with a bit of a gap between the two bones. I have good range off motion and will be starting streanght exercises this week. just wondering how long will it take to fully heal? Also the bone that is laying on top of the smaller bone is very visable, and the end of it is becoming a bump. Will this get smaller and how long will this process take?. My doc says collerbones remodles after it heals but he did not give me time table. I also wanna know if my shoulders will be even cus at the moment the injured shoulder is a bit lower then the other? I heard it all comes back in its right place after biulding the muscles in the shoulder.


Posted by: High Lord Gomer

I broke mine with about 3/4 inch overlap and wore the figure 8 thing *ALL* the time (except in the shower). I was told to keep it immobile (that's what the brace does if tight enough), and it worked. Riding again in 5 1/2 weeks (I was in my early to mid thirties, then).


Posted by: whatAride

Hey, High Lord Gomar
Did you have a bump at the fracture site and if so how long did it take to smooth out? Are your shoulders even and is your collarbone shorter now? How long did it take to get to good strenght, ROM and have the collerbone look as it did before the accident?


Posted by: High Lord Gomer

It's been 5 years or so and the bump is still as noticeable as it was at 5 weeks.

The bone is shorter, but I can't tell a difference. Once I started riding again it felt normal within a couple of weeks. For me, I believe the key was to keep it absolutely immobile while it healed. I wore that figure 8 *tight*. I even rode with it the first day because it felt more secure with it on.

Mine was a fairly clean break with an overlap, so maybe that's why I got so lucky. I don't think it will ever look normal, though.


Posted by: Imathorp

I joined the club on May 31st practicing. where's my T-shirt?

it took 7 days for it to "stick" together and quit moving around. I have worn the figure 8 every day since. my only concern is now that it has calcified and started to heal i'm worried about the overlapping of the bones and my shoulder is shorter on that side now. i go to the ortho on june 15th We'll see what he says.

pain lasted for three days but the Vicoton and 800mg i-Butes dulled it.

I had to ride out of the woods with it in a sling we made out of my chest protector straps and gogles. We were nearly all the way back (2 Miles) and my buddy remembered he had a kidney belt on. I used it for the 2 hour car ride back to our home town and went to the hospital near home, then drove myself home. I just got to feeling good enough to pick up my bike and gear last night from my buddies house. its good to have my bike back home now if i could just ride it.


Posted by: whatAride

Once its overlapping the bone will be shorter. But i heard from some people that when you do FT and then work out the bones will realign better, not perfect and this take time. What is your overlap if its more then an inch you may have some trouble. See what your doc says and let us know, get well.


Posted by: Domenic

It's been five weeks for me and I believe the break is still moving around. I've been a poor patient, using my arm too much. only wear the figure 8 during the day. My ER doctor was surprised that I didn't break my shoulder, didn't seem to be too concerned about the clavicle. At least I can cough without a rib sticking into my lung now


Posted by: Kliff

I broke mine when hitting the handlebars with my shoulder after a big, bad, uncontrolled highspeed-jump. In hospital the nurse didnt know what to do, so she took some phonecalls and send me home with some strong painkillers. I slept in a chair for almost 2 weeks, the pain was very bad. When I tried to lay down, I felt like someone trying to choke me.

After 1 month I went to get a second opinion, and the doctor got suprised that they didnt do any surgery on it. It took alltogether 6 months before I could begin to exercise with weights and use the arm normal. I learned my lesson, and its a good partytrick to show the bone, it looks like it will come right out of my chest.


Posted by: boardadikt

Well if you saw my post about two months back, the doc told me it was going to heal fine and I would be on my way in four weeks. I was really good about letting it heal, and it didn't. Two months later I have a floating collar bone. I can do almost everything, but it does get soar and tired out if I lift heavy objects and work it alot. I went in and saw a shoulder specialist and he said it will not heal so I need to have surgery. I will be going in two weeks to have the bones set back together with a titanium strip of metal and a few screws. I'm going to get in some heavy riding time for the next two weeks, if my shoulder can handle it.


Posted by: psycho

Mine broke in 2 places from landing on my head and shoulder (feet in the air). Got chunked off the bike when it chose to go elsewhere (sure it wasn't my fault). Hear it break when I hit the ground and knew what was up. Doc originally wanted to do sugery but then opted to see how it would do on its own. Wore the figure 8 for approx. 3 months before everything looked like it was going to hold. Been a little over a year now and it feels fine. A little weird to look at but functions ok. Anyways, that is my brief story.


Posted by: Imathorp

well after all my whinning and complaining for three weeks the Doc decided to do an ORIF-Open Reduction Internal Fixation on me. they did it yesyerday and let me tell ya, you think the initial break hurt? thishurts twice as bad.

I now have my arm in a swathe tied up tight to my belly for the next 10 days. it was busted in two in the middle-third and had two pieces of bone floating around causing nerve problems.

I am now anatomically correct again! Geez does it hurt to be perfect!


Posted by: Domenic

Went to the orthopedic today for the six week follow-up check. Was very surprised as was the doctor that it has fused and is healing fine. I have a 25mm overlap and gap, plus bone fragments floating around, broke in 3 pieces and I'm 46 years old. So don't give up hope, the odds are in your favor. It does suck not being able to ride this summer, but there's always next year.


Posted by: Imathorp

waxy-on, waxy-off

That's all i've been doing. Oh and the occasional ride on my boys JR50. For tune-up purposes...of course LOL


Posted by: boardadikt

Change of plans for me....since my collar bone didn't heal and is still floating, the doc wanted to do surgery. Since it doesn't hurt and I can still ride my bike (although it gets tired kind of quick) I told him I didn't want to have surgery, although I will if I really need it. He called me on my cell phone to see if I was interested in electric bone stimulation therapy. So my insurance paid for this little device that I put on my shoulder that is supposed to have an 86% success rate for nonunion fractures (a bone that won't heal together). I'll go back for x-rays in a few weeks to see if there is progress. I'll keep you guys updated in case anyone else was thinking of using it.


Posted by: radical ron

I have done mine twice and what you do depends on the nature of the injury. Getting an X-ray is always a good place to start.(I did not do this on my last break I was confident that it was only fractured so I healed OK.) The worst thing that could happen is that it broke and was displaced enough not to be able to knit back together. The most critical time is the first few days after the injury if the bone is not back in place where you want it the body will heal the best way it can which may not be good as new.


Posted by: MikeT

I feel like an idiot.

Even thought I know it was a completely a racing incident (wouldn't have been if the guy didn't cut the whole turn and me off) but I did it. Yesterday on lap two of my race I got totally cut off and landed on my left shoulder and CRACK broke my collarbone.

I am very bummed. It is overlapped pretty bad so I am going to a specialist ASAP and I'll keep you all up to date. This stinks!.


Posted by: Speeed

MikeT , sorry to hear that. rest up, relax & keep your brace on.
your right ......it sucks!


Posted by: MikeT

Just came back from the Doc.............Surgery on Friday


Posted by: MikeT

Nope, now it's Thursday. Sooner is better.


Posted by: MikeT

Well I had the final X-Rays today and the bones are a little better but they are still about 1.5 to 2 bone diameters apart. The Doc says the only way he sees to get things straight is surgery. I just can't see how the bones would join any other way. They are just so far apart......not even close to touching.

The surgery is set for 1PM EST Thursday. Please say a prayer for me. My wife is very scared about the anestesia.


Posted by: Speeed

good luck Mike, tell wifey not to worry its a pretty routine surgery.
I feel bad for ya Bro...........I didnt have surgery but I was layed up for 8 weeks and it sucked.
I had a brand new baby at the time and I couldnt even hold him.


Posted by: High Lord Gomer

Ouch! I was wondering how the race went.

Have you been under before? They really have it down to a routine procedure, now.

Where on the track did it happen?

Good luck today!


Posted by: MikeT

It happened right after the new jump they added around the corner from the start gate. You go out of the gate, make the left "U" turn, go down the straight make a 90-degree right turn and there is the jump. I didn't crash on the jump, the other guy just landed before I did and turned completely into me. I had no way to avoid him because I didn't even land yet. He went from the left side of the track and cut the whole turn off with me included. I don't think he knew he was cutting someone off, I just think he showed some bad judgment. Usually you would somewhat keep your line but he didn't. I would say it was a combination of me passing him faster than he thought I would, and him not having that much experience. I don't have any bad feelings, nor do I think I could have done anything to avoid the situation other than not showing up for the race that day. I was riding really well and it was on lap two. The pass I was making was for the lead. When we crashed I had my leg caught under my bike and was mainly concerned with getting off of the track and not getting hit. He had both bikes on top of him and was trapped. I instantly knew I broke it and bad at that.


Well, I am here typing a day after the surgery and I must say that I don't think it could have gone any better. My shoulder is now in the correct spot and the Doctor said the bones went together "flawlessly". He said they are aligned perfectly and the incision (although about 3 inches long) doesn't look that bad. I got very nauseous in the recovery room and they did a great job giving me medication to stop it. The pain has so far been rather minimal. I am on Oxycodone and that seems to be working pretty well.

I want to thank all of you whether you mentioned it or not for praying for me. I really believe it helped everything go so smoothly. I even ended up with a Doctor that has been doing research on creating a new type of plate for specifically this injury, I don't believe that was coincidence. I am feeling good and am very happy with how this all turned out.


Posted by: Smit-Dog

Great news Mike!

I take it you got the plate, and not the bolt/screw, aka Hagie Pin. Did your doc discuss these options? I wish I would have had surgery on mine. Maybe next time...


Posted by: MikeT

Ya, I got the plate. He didn't mention any other methods of attachment. I talked about an external thing so it could be removed afterward but he said the I didn't really want one of those. From what he said the plate will be able to be felt throught the skin but it won't bother anything. I'll take the plate over having the huge protruding lump I would have had IF it would have healed which I don't think it would have. It was just too far apart.


Posted by: Smit-Dog

Hagie Pin: http://www.wheelessonline.com/orthoo/5100.htm

Other Cool Info: http://www.wheelessonline.com/orthoo/51.htm

And the Mother Of All Broken Collarbone Sites: http://www.jpy.com/john/clavicle/


Posted by: High Lord Gomer

Oxycodone?!? I'm surprised you still speak English. That is some serious stuff! I'm sure they ddin't giveyou more than a few days worth, but be careful with that stuff.

Glad it all went back together well.


Posted by: MikeT

I am actually able to take 2 tablets every 4 hours. Today, I just took a total of two during the day and I'll take two before I go to bed. They really get you relaxed and that's what I need to sleep.


Posted by: MikeT

Had a hectic day today with my........ah......... "internal plumbing" getting back online shall we say. I didn't know that your body shuts totally down after the anestesia and takes a while to get going again. Man sorry for the TMI but I was not feeling to well.

My collarbone is doing better. I'll tell you all how the Dr. visit goes on Wednesday.

Mike


Posted by: MikeT

I have to say, I am simply amazed at how well I feel. It is almost like I didn't break it. The cut bothers me a little because it simply hasn't healed all the way, but the bone feels nearly perfect. I am laying off it and not picking up anything with a weight of more than maybe 3 pounds per the Dr's orders. The swelling is going down rather well and my arm feels stronger every day.

What I think is crazy is it has only been one week since the operation. I almost completely forget I hurt it. I'm not saying to go out and not worry about breaking your collarbone or that anytime you break it that you should get surgery, but atleast there is a very good way to fix it IF you break it.


BTW If any of you want to know When I broke it, I was wearing an O'Neal Rock block chest protector. As Ivan can attes to is a pretty big and bulky protective CP. A SportProtection back protector, a big (and properly fitted) neck protector. The reason I broke my collarbone was that I got SLAMMED directly on my side and my shoulder got hit directly into my body. I don't know what more protection I could have been wearing but if you have any ideas I'm all up for it............

.Anybody got any old football shoulderpads??


Posted by: High Lord Gomer

Yep, MikeT definitely goes for the RoboMoto look!

I dont' think you can fully protect from that kind of injury.


Posted by: MikeT

Quote:
Originally Posted by High Lord Gomer
Yep, MikeT definitely goes for the RoboMoto look!

Ya, that's probably true but I try to be as safe as possible. Believe it or not all that stuff I wear doesn't impede me in any way. I did go out one time without my neck protector and felt naked. Won't do that again.


Posted by: gnarlykaw

Ok, add me to the list. one hand typing and all. Im snapped my left one on the night time poker run at DW04. They put me in a sling at stillwater ER.our drive back was fair, about 550 miles. I am going to try the natural thing, but first, I want my doctor to see the x ray. i just can't see how it's going to heal the way it broke.


Posted by: ginster77

i broke mine at dirtweek 04 also in the 2nd moto of the pro/a mx race on the big step up. i also dislocated my shoulder at the same time. dr mike put my shoulder back in (huge thank you) then realized my collar bone broken. i was ok for the first 2 days with some vicodin a couple times a day. now about a dozen times a day, even if i'm setting perfectly still, i get a severe stabbing pain in my collar bone area that will make me scream. it lasts from a couple seconds to thirty seconds. the bone is broke in half with a third piece floating around underneath. i've told the doctors but they just told me to come back in a week for more x-rays. that's tomorrow so if they don't do something then i'm going for a 2nd opinion. has any one else had that stabbing pain, i broke my collarbone when i was a kid and i was jumping my bicycle 2 days later, i don't remember it being this bad.


Posted by: Gary B.

I had the stabbing pains for about a week. It took me forever to get comfortable in a chair, I'd be sitting there, and suddenly WHAM! the bone would slip out of place, it felt like I was stabbed with a knife. I'd have to pull my shoulder back, feel the bone move, and all would be OK again for a while. I think the figure 8 brace helped with this, as it keeps the shoulder pulled back some all the time.


Posted by: gnarlykaw

It's been 11 days now, and I have almost 50% of my arm movement back, but still a dull ache in my shoulder. off the painkillers, and doing only aleve.
I spend maybe half my day in the sling. It feels much better when i am out of the sling. BUT, I am going CRAZY! I need to do something!!!!! ordered seals for the forks of both bikes, and thought i would revalve mine, and reseal them, and just reseal my kids bike. Hey, I got nuthin but time!


Posted by: High Lord Gomer

I was told that the whole point of the sling was to keep you bones immobile so that they would heal. Taking your arm out of the sling for even a few minutes a day could undo all the benefit of the ot 23.9 hours (or so I was told). Along with that, I was told that the effectiveness of the sling versus the figure 8 brace was about the same, but the compliance and consistent usage of the figure 8 was much better because it wasn't so easy to get out of and you can still use both hands.


Posted by: gnarlykaw

This being my first broken bone ever, I had alot of questions. The time in the sling was the biggest one. the doc told me to take my arm out pf the sling several times a day, and dangle it, and do circiluar motions, little at first, but by week four, pretty big motion change. I go back in week four for x-rays again to check on the progress. I think the most painful thing right now is knowing it is only the begining of week three! I'm going friggin NUTS! I'm so f-ing bored!


Posted by: MikeT

Well, here I am at 5 1/2 weeks post surgery. Just wanted to give you all and update. I have full motion and I actually think I always did. I don't think I hurt my shoulder that bad just the collar bone. I have started doing some minor excercises on my own. I have two little 6.6 pound weights and do a few excercises with them. Just about 10 reps in no more than three sets. Since it is a fairly light weight I think I'm OK, plus that titanium plate has had the bone fixed for all this time. I feel no pain from the break, just some pain in my ball and socket joint that the Dr. said would go away.

Even with the plate there is a good lump which I think is scar tissue and new bone forming. Hopefully that will go away in time. I want to ride but I won't because I don't need any setbacks. The surgery has already cost me enough $$$$$.

Quite surprizingly, while I was doing my military press (over the head) I heard my right shoulder popping....... I injured my left...... Go figure. I guess I'm geting old!


Posted by: Camaro

Good to see I'm not the only one. I broke my left collar bone when I was 17 and went in for painkillers and a set (The ugly white stabilizer vest and decided it would hold and I rode in Carbondale the next weekend and broke the right one too. Kinda dumb I know but it was sunny out!


Posted by: MikeT

I'm considering riding the day after Thanksgiving. It will be 10 weeks post surgery. The collarbone is feeling pretty good. I have a pretty good lump there but it isn't too bad.

What do you guys think?

I am planning to do some trails and not do any major track stuff.

Mike


Posted by: Speeed

go for it !
it took me some time to get back to "before break" confidence !
but it does come back (and then some, I think)
have fun


Posted by: gnarlykaw

Oh, by all means, GO! i went today, and had a blast! a little sore though, but it felt great!!


Posted by: Imho

Go! I can't think of better physio (as long as you don't come off again).


Posted by: radical ron

Go have fun, be safe and avoid "G" outs. You do not have to have a get off to re-injur yourself.

Ron


Posted by: MikeT

Well, the day that was to be never was. I had planned to take the whole family with me so that the wife could watch my little rider while I took in some trails and a slow ride on the track. What happened was that my baby girl got an ear infection and had a ruptured ear drum so Momma had to stay home. That meant I had no one to watch little man on the kids track while I rode. Since I couldn't say no to my little guy........... I just left my bike at home and took him riding. Ah, a couple more weeks of healing will be a good thing.


Posted by: Robin13

I broke my left april 7th 2004. And this time, 2 days ago, I broke my right side one. Both riding park with my bmx.
The fist time it was broken and seperated well and I couldn't imagine it healing by itself. Well it did. Because the bone was seperated by about 1/4 inch I think an overlapping and you could see both ends thrue my skin I was concerned.
It took about a month for the 2 parts to fuse, it still moved but was flexing. It was pretty painfull when I moved before it fused, but ok when I sat still. Especially getting out of bed was painfull. It gradually got better and I was using a sling and X-figure, wich was really uncomfortable but allowed me to walk around.After it fused the dokter told me that instead of taking it very easy like during the first few weeks that I should let pain be my guide. And start moving the shoulder as soon as possible to prevent a frozen shoulder.
A month later it felt more solid buth xrays showed no calcification yet, but you could see a small cloud around the bone ends.
Another month later it felt good and solid, but xrays showed calcivication was not completed but well started. I started going to the gym again traing with smalll weights, I could feel flex when goin too heavy, but besides that it felt normal.
They did say the connection was preety strog, but breaking it again before cacification would cause complications and sergury would be needed.
After 4 months I started riding again, just to be sure. The doctor said it would be another 2 months to fully heal, but before I started riding again I was already benchpressing 220lbs again.

This time 17 march 2005 I broke my right side and the xrays look similar, but without overlap, just seperation. It hurts alot less and I'm only using a sling this time. And the bone doesn't move around as much. Getting out of my bed and chairs is ok now too. So I hope it will be all better in 3 months this time.


Posted by: Domenic

Well its been a year today Have a built in weather forecaster now. I'm 47 years old and done 3 cross-country races this year so far. Was a little worried about injuries until after my first major crash. Really a pretty minor injury compared what could have happened. So give it time to heal, and keep on riding.

Domenic


Posted by: Lainer

i broke my right collarbone skiing in february while jumping in the TP. i needed surgery immediately because it was in 5 or 6 pieces, but it wasnt as bad as it sounds and i was feeling great in a week, but 2 months later i was riding my bike and went over the handle bars only to break my left clavicle. so my second surgery will involve another plate and a few screws again. i guess when i get on my bike again i should excersise a little caution!


Posted by: drtridr1989

i didnt fracture my colar bone but... i have an AC joint seperation in my left shoulder wich is torn ligaments.. what happen was me and 3 ppl were riding (1 of them being a new rider) me and one of the kids were doing the same circle at the riding area and the third kid (the new rider) ended up coming the wrong way on one of the very narrow trails and i came around the corner and hit him head on... got thrown about 15 feet landed on what im suspecting to be my shoulder and head (i got knocked out for a good 20 secs or so..) i dont know what this kid was thinking because he seen us taking this same circle for a good 20 mins on two dif occasions and he jus ended up coming the wrong way... sadly he broke his wrist almost threw the skin... i went to the ER and they told me that i had the AC joint seperated because the ligaments that connect the collar bone to the AC were torn... i go to the bone doctor tomorrow to see whats up but has anyone else had an injury like this, how long do u think it will take to heal?


Posted by: drtridr1989

issed: jus got back from the doctors, im not going to be able to work for 4-6 weeks and no riding for about 2 1/2 monthes, doc said its a class III seperation and that if it was on my dominant side, wich is my right side i would have to get surgery... looks like my plans to race Motocross in a few weeks are shattered


Posted by: DCR

I broke my collarbone six weeks ago this Saturday. My break was simple and was well aligned. Just wanted to share some information that I got from my orthopedic surgeon.

1. Calcification does not show up on an X-ray for 3 months

2. Total remodling of the bone does not happen for 1 year

3. My Doctor told me my collarbone would not be as strong as it was for 1 year.

4. You need 1500 mg of calcium a day to aid in healing (and remember pop limits the bodies ability to absorb calcium)

I won't be skiing or riding this summer at all.


Posted by: YZ125Rider33

i broke mine in half doing a 60 foot double and took a good soil sample with my face. my bike was fine only because it landed on ME!!! .i let it heal naturally, but i do have a nice lump and my right arm is an inch and a half longer than the left (aahhh im a freak) oh well. Who ever thought motorbikes were dangerous


Posted by: yfz450

I'm 37 and just broke my left collarbone and three ribs on Sat. the 13th. I was told 6-8 weeks of recovery time. Sleeping at night absolutely sucks. I am wearing the figure 8 brace all day, but there is no way I can sleep in this thing. When I first wrecked I knew I had broken something, I had no idea it would be my collarbone and three ribs. I was in a good amount of pain but nothing compared to getting out of the bed the next morning. I was almost in tears it hurt so bad. I'm on tylox now but most people seem to be on vicadan? Should I contact my Dr. and see If I can switch? The pain is getting less but I still get sharp pains in my chest from my broken ribs. It feels like your getting stabbed with a knife. Anybody start riding again after 8 weeks? or should I just wait? I really don't want to go through this b.s. again. Patrick


Posted by: Smit-Dog

Broke mine in two places at age 37 on my first ride in 20 years. Wore a figure-8 24x7. Slept in a recliner the first 2 weeks. Vicadan didn't do anything for me.... Vicaprofen, however, was magic. Took it about 20 minutes before laying down, and slept solid, even in a chair.

I can relate to the sharp stabbing pains. There are a ton of nerves that run along side your collarbone. Depending on the severity of the break, it can mess up the nerves quite a bit. I was numb from the shoulder down to my fingers for the first month, then it slowly got better. It was close to a year before the numb spot at the tip of my shoulder went away.

At about the 6 week mark I pressed my ortho into prescribing a bone growth stimulator. I did not want to waste the whole season. I believe it did help, but ended up waiting a full 3 months before riding again.

Good luck!


Posted by: Imathorp

mine had a malunion and was putting pressure on my brachial nerve causing tingling and numbness in my fingers and wrist. after two weeks, i went under the knife. the first thing i said when i woke up was "the tingling is gone" and thank god for that too! it was driving me crazy.


Posted by: MikeT

I went under the knife and they put it back together crooked! The crookedness causes pain if I brush it up against anything, usually one of my kids heads hit it when I carry them. The surgery was last September 2004. I have an appointment to see another Dr. Oct. 25th to ask that they fix the bad misalignment.

What pisses me off is that some dude took me clean out in a race and broke it (not my fault). Then the Dr. put it together crooked (not my fault). Now I have to go and get it done again and pay for it again.


Posted by: 03yz

hey, it was first practise, first lap at local club practise under lights, was 3rd, went 2 seatbounce tabletop, over the bars, landed on my right shoulder. i got up and rode back 2 the pits n then went to hospital the next day. massive break needed surgery, so they put 2 metal pins in my right collar bone which are sticking up under the skin and looks like they might poke through. i also strained the joint and tore the tendons so there goes half of my season. but the pins come out in 2 weeks and then another sling and then physio


Posted by: mg89

Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeT
I went under the knife and they put it back together crooked! The crookedness causes pain if I brush it up against anything, usually one of my kids heads hit it when I carry them. The surgery was last September 2004. I have an appointment to see another Dr. Oct. 25th to ask that they fix the bad misalignment.

What pisses me off is that some dude took me clean out in a race and broke it (not my fault). Then the Dr. put it together crooked (not my fault). Now I have to go and get it done again and pay for it again.



That Sucks


Posted by: RedRacer1137

Well mine healed at an angle so yeah its weird. After it healed I went to a friends and bench pressed well ****...... My left arm could do it but my right wouldnt even do 50pounds!!!!!! The Doc said you can take of the sling and backbrace and it will heal fine but he was wrong. So im kinda pissed but im yound so maybe it go back to normal but for now im getting very tired whiled riding.

It kinda feels like my collarbone is going to pop out of my skin when im pushing my bike or picking it up. Maybe if should stop laying it over but kinda hard to keep at fast pace without laying it over when you just started this year lol.


Posted by: Coloner_Dre

I am another collar bone victim and am in the healing process, right now i got full movement but still cannot lift nething to heavy. I cannot ride yet but i put around the house on the buike just to get my fix. I broke my into three pieces by caseing a table top went over the abrs and my should drove into the ground. The nurse said "This is the worst clavical break ive ever seen" yeah i got that bragging right weuu but i wanna ride real bad and just two days ago my buddy broke his leg in two spots at a race at southwick.


Posted by: MikeT

Quote:
Originally Posted by Coloner_Dre
I am another collar bone victim and am in the healing process, right now i got full movement but still cannot lift nething to heavy.
Don't even try it. It is better just to totally lay off it so you won't have any setbacks.


Posted by: Coloner_Dre

yeah i try to keep it easy but i still find myself on my bike everyday wanting to go fast instead of just putsin around


Posted by: shoplifter5

mine healed with a 3 inch lump but "gratefully" i ripped my collorbone from my shoulder a year later and it doesnt have as big of a lump lol yippy


Posted by: MikeT

Quote:
Originally Posted by shoplifter5
i ripped my collorbone from my shoulder
That hurts just thinking about it... What do you mean by "ripped"? Really, you have to give us a better discription.


Posted by: wirefryer#85

I just joined the club 2 days ago, racing a hare scramble on a borrowed CR250, the front brake slam locked on a rocky downhill, bike landed on my head and drove it into my left shoulder.

I didn't think anything was broke but the EMT suspected a seperated shoulder. X-Rays showed the clavicle in 4 pieces.

The ortho has me in this figure 8 gizmo for a week and then a decision will be made on surgery, something I'd just as soon skip.

What sucks is my job involves 'curling' 20-40lb steel parts all day long and my left arm does the lions share of the physical work.

At least the Mrs. didn't finish me off when I got home issed:


Posted by: roscoe211

I've broken both colar bones. Broke the right one when i was 9 playing around on stairs and tumbling down then, ended up upside down with my right shoulder on the edge of a step. Broke the left one 3 weeks ago snowboarding, going pretty fast, fell straight on the left shoulder and the compression snapped it in half, heard the CRACK! and knew right away what was up. Lots of pain an vikes for the first week, after week 1 the pain was gone completely. Now it just reminds me if I try to lift anything heavy. I have about 90% ROM and what feels like a huge lump since the bones are not aligned properly. I still have a small lump on the right side, but virtually unnoticable. The worst part is I bought a season pass the same day I broke it and i won't be able to use it again until end of Jan/beginning of Feb.


Posted by: KX250Dad

Shattered mine 2 seasons back. For two months the doc said all was going fine and I kept saying I don't think so. On my last visit she was ready to "release me" with an all fine and dandy... when I pushed my finger half way into my chest she mumbled someting... and quickly sent me down the hall to the cutter. The old fart was pretty cool, measured the distance left then the distance right and informed me not only didn't anything heal my right shoulder was attempting to drawing inwardly and I already lost a 1/2" in length. Screws, plate and a piece of my leg are now the new bone. Really pissed at the original doc... all that time I was telling her "it ain't right" guess that's what happens when your doctor's an ex Thor girl you lose focus during the visit. Bottom line... get that itch and an occassional mild burn but the range of movement in my right shoulder far exceeds that of the "good" left. Truth be known, kind of wish I'd break the other side... but I don't know if I could handle the pain a second time around. Moral of the story... don't get a crush on your doctor.


Posted by: Chris Matic

Mine did not break, there was minor separation between the collar bone and sholder area. i got lucky


Posted by: 04CR125

your lucky you didn't get a plate, cause if you ride with a plate and fall on your collarbone the plate can go into your neck and kill you.

i had a full seperation on right clavicle and i had a natural healing and its fine. it tingles alittle bit but its cool. and i have a small bump wherei broke it. still healing though!!! 3 months down. but what sucks is i also shattered 3 bones in my foot. :-(


Posted by: MikeT

I hate this thread..... It is painful every time I think of it!



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