I broke my right clavicle about a year and a half ago. Snapped it about 1 inch from the AC joint. Never healed!!!! Did the figure 8 and bone stimulator. Still would not heal!! Doc said there was to big of a gap in the break to start the healing process. Give it six more months and see what happens, "these things want to heal on there own". I just saw the ortho last week and he did not want to plate it! said I don't have a loss of range of motion and very little pain and there is to much risk involved in the surgery. "Live with it". It really doesn't bother me, It is just the thought that my collarbone is broken that messes with my mind. But here is what I learned.
1. The sling is much more effective than the figure 8.
2. If you have to tape your elbow to your rib cage to stop you from
moving your hand/arm, do it. Not moving your hand/arm is the single most important thing you can do to increase your chances of recovery.
3. Do not even think about try to ride or do anything with your arm ubtil the x-rays show the two ends of the break have started to calcify.
4. Get riding out of your mind for at least nine weeks!!!!! Really, don't even think about it. I dont care how good you think your collarbone feels. Or what anyone tells you. If you ride to soon you will just re-break it.