broken clavicle...surgery or not?

[AGHealing]

The Dr. said I'd have the screw in for about 3-4 months but that he had no problem leaving it in a bit longer if need be. It seems that he'll just re-open the smaller cut and back out the screw when the time comes.

I was given the option of a plate and screws but it didn't seem like the best option as I'm a fairly lean guy. The plate would be awfully visible through the skin. I'm lucky in a lot of different ways and am happy that I chose the route that I did.

I have to say though, I have been experiencing a pinched nerve in my shoulder, I think, due to the operation. I usually only feel it in the morning when waking up. It kind of paralyzes me with pain briefly then subsides. I suppose it could be just a from not having many sleeping positions to chose from. Hopefully it fades with time.

I wouldn’t mess with it and especially put honey on it!
Just leave it alone. You're lucky to have that kind of break and have that screw type of fix instead of the plate and screws. i think the plate and screws are stronger and more robust but requires more extensive and open surgery and additional care but once in place seems to support a broken clavicle better.

How long did the Dr say you have tho leave your screw in?

 

[trevortorseth]

I broke my clavicle June 21st (pretty painful but still was a fun ride prior to the fall). I have been presented the option of surgery or the old fashioned "let it heal as is". I have never broken a bone in my 33 year life span and am weighing the pros and cons of surgery. I would like input if you have experience. I already have back problems so I am leaning toward the surgery in order to alleviate potential future complications. Please let me know what your experience has been. Thanks!

Wow! I broke mine June 22nd along with my scapula; however, I was on my motorcycle (fun ride 'till the end). The coincidences here are remarkable- I too am 33 with back problems and this is my first major break (son of a gun hurt). The whole sling thing I would have to say was a joke (particularly the sling given to me by the hospital/Kaiser Permanente), I was able to purchase a far better sling for $80 at a medical supply store. I started doing light rehab with the rubber bands within the month and by my six week follow up (August 6th) had close to full mobility, however, considerable pain and instability. My subsequent follow ups with my doctor (at the time), Dr. Camb (Kaiser Permanente), were both cancelled; obviously very dissatisfied I demanded to see another more responsible surgeon ASAP. I finally got into see a Dr. Matsuda in early November (Kaiser Permanente/hip and knee specialist) he took one look at me and thought I should have had, or have surgery, but not being his field of expertise recommended I see the head of the orthopedic department who was- and is- the resident shoulder expert. An appointment was finally made to see this doctor (Dr. Faustgen) Nov 27th, which I had to reschedule for Nov 29th. Faustgen thus far has said surgery may leave me worse off, however, he has ordered a CT Scan and wants to see me in the New Year (this will take me just over 6 months). My problem is I don't necessarily trust Kaiser Permanente and it's health provisions, as I've heard their surgeons get kick backs for not providing costly health services. At this point I don't know what to do- I just know I need my arm; I have what the doctors have referred to as a non union. I've read that people are seeing better results with surgery. The musculature and movement feels fine but the bone does not seem strong; I lift weights and I know I could not lift nearly what I would normally.

 

[trevortorseth]

Mine only hurt for the first three weeks.........the most painful thing was to use a fly-swatter. I never even thought of surgery and my doctor never mentioned it either. It's been all up hill since then and I have full movement and no pain, just a lump on the site of the fracture.

byfred

Yeah about 2 1/2 to 3 weeks of hell.

 

[alienator]

Yeah about 2 1/2 to 3 weeks of hell.

That combination of injuries can be a bit hellish. When I shattered my clavicle, I also shattered my scapula, broke my 1st, 2nd, and 4th ribs in two places each (The ER doc stopped counting fractures in my torso when he got to 26. He said it was just getting too silly.), and broke c5 in my neck, leaving my right arm (the side of the clavicle/scapula injuries) partially paralyzed for three months. Unfortunately, the paralysis didn't lessen the pain. One day, tired of the sling, I took my arm out of the sling and sat it vertically with my elbow on the arm of the chair. There came a moment when I noticed my arm falling over, and with the paralysis, I was unable to stop the fall. I could only scream once the fall stopped. It was righteous pain.

Then about a month down the road, there were the nights in bed when I would roll onto the broken side. A loud, grating, and muy painful pop would follow, and my wife would wake up to my scream.

Fun stuff.

 

[feetorfish]

if you have a non union, and not a delayed you most certainly need to consider surgery.A very common cause of non union is too much motion. It concerns me that you started exercising your shoulder after only a month. I'm about 7 weeks into my clavicle and scapula fracture and I would not think about doing exercises against resistence. I'm doing passive exercises to get range of motion back. I'm all the way over in Florida and don't have personal experience with Kaiser. I do know they were a pioneer in the HMO movement. I don't have fond opinions of the whole idea. If you went past 3 months without good healing you should have been put in a bone stimulator. That is what is referred to as STANDARD OF CARE, which is what physicians are judged by.Most insurance companies want to see lack of signs of healing at 3 months before they will approve a bone stim. The problem is some HMOs don't like to approve them. I got mine through some arm twisting in 8 days. the companies that make them charge anywhere from 4200 to 5000 to the insurance companies for them. I would personally demand a bone stim now surgery or no surgery. It will make you heal faster after the surgery if you end up having it. Best of luck.

Wow! I broke mine June 22nd along with my scapula; however, I was on my motorcycle (fun ride 'till the end). The coincidences here are remarkable- I too am 33 with back problems and this is my first major break (son of a gun hurt). The whole sling thing I would have to say was a joke (particularly the sling given to me by the hospital/Kaiser Permanente), I was able to purchase a far better sling for $80 at a medical supply store. I started doing light rehab with the rubber bands within the month and by my six week follow up (August 6th) had close to full mobility, however, considerable pain and instability. My subsequent follow ups with my doctor (at the time), Dr. Camb (Kaiser Permanente), were both cancelled; obviously very dissatisfied I demanded to see another more responsible surgeon ASAP. I finally got into see a Dr. Matsuda in early November (Kaiser Permanente/hip and knee specialist) he took one look at me and thought I should have had, or have surgery, but not being his field of expertise recommended I see the head of the orthopedic department who was- and is- the resident shoulder expert. An appointment was finally made to see this doctor (Dr. Faustgen) Nov 27th, which I had to reschedule for Nov 29th. Faustgen thus far has said surgery may leave me worse off, however, he has ordered a CT Scan and wants to see me in the New Year (this will take me just over 6 months). My problem is I don't necessarily trust Kaiser Permanente and it's health provisions, as I've heard their surgeons get kick backs for not providing costly health services. At this point I don't know what to do- I just know I need my arm; I have what the doctors have referred to as a non union. I've read that people are seeing better results with surgery. The musculature and movement feels fine but the bone does not seem strong; I lift weights and I know I could not lift nearly what I would normally.

 

[trevortorseth]

That combination of injuries can be a bit hellish. When I shattered my clavicle, I also shattered my scapula, broke my 1st, 2nd, and 4th ribs in two places each (The ER doc stopped counting fractures in my torso when he got to 26. He said it was just getting too silly.), and broke c5 in my neck, leaving my right arm (the side of the clavicle/scapula injuries) partially paralyzed for three months. Unfortunately, the paralysis didn't lessen the pain. One day, tired of the sling, I took my arm out of the sling and sat it vertically with my elbow on the arm of the chair. There came a moment when I noticed my arm falling over, and with the paralysis, I was unable to stop the fall. I could only scream once the fall stopped. It was righteous pain.

Then about a month down the road, there were the nights in bed when I would roll onto the broken side. A loud, grating, and muy painful pop would follow, and my wife would wake up to my scream.

Fun stuff.

Good God! You win. How goes it now?

 

[youhaditcoming]

a friend of mine says that you're not yet a cyclist until you broke your clavicle for the 1st time !

 

[Curb]

I/We suggest you get it together and get some sound advice. Unless you have something going on with your insurance, If you are unsure/unhappy about the office/Doctors that you are seeing, well man make the move to see someone else. It's all that simple. If you have to, go see a Physical Therapist and ask them and see what they say or get a recommend Dr from them.

Please, don't procrastinate with your health.

Wow! I broke mine June 22nd along with my scapula; however, I was on my motorcycle (fun ride 'till the end). The coincidences here are remarkable- I too am 33 with back problems and this is my first major break (son of a gun hurt). The whole sling thing I would have to say was a joke (particularly the sling given to me by the hospital/Kaiser Permanente), I was able to purchase a far better sling for $80 at a medical supply store. I started doing light rehab with the rubber bands within the month and by my six week follow up (August 6th) had close to full mobility, however, considerable pain and instability. My subsequent follow ups with my doctor (at the time), Dr. Camb (Kaiser Permanente), were both cancelled; obviously very dissatisfied I demanded to see another more responsible surgeon ASAP. I finally got into see a Dr. Matsuda in early November (Kaiser Permanente/hip and knee specialist) he took one look at me and thought I should have had, or have surgery, but not being his field of expertise recommended I see the head of the orthopedic department who was- and is- the resident shoulder expert. An appointment was finally made to see this doctor (Dr. Faustgen) Nov 27th, which I had to reschedule for Nov 29th. Faustgen thus far has said surgery may leave me worse off, however, he has ordered a CT Scan and wants to see me in the New Year (this will take me just over 6 months). My problem is I don't necessarily trust Kaiser Permanente and it's health provisions, as I've heard their surgeons get kick backs for not providing costly health services. At this point I don't know what to do- I just know I need my arm; I have what the doctors have referred to as a non union. I've read that people are seeing better results with surgery. The musculature and movement feels fine but the bone does not seem strong; I lift weights and I know I could not lift nearly what I would normally.

 

[alienator]

Good God! You win. How goes it now?

Other than some asymmetry, interesting bumps, and atypical xrays, I'm groovy.

 

[Curb]

Anyone believe in the weather making your broken bones hurt? Seems like ever time it get cloudy and ready to rain my new 12 week old broken clavicle ache like hell. I just don’t understand it. Anyone experience this? I have the plate and screw versions if you need to know.

Also how long will I experience aches and pains with this plate and screws? I go back to the Orthopedic Jan 4.2008 I hope he says the plate is solid enough and I can get back on my bike. I can’t take that trainer anymore!

What do everyone think, is 14 weeks long enough to head back on the road or am I setting myself up or a disappointment from the orthopedic?

 

[alienator]

Anyone believe in the weather making your broken bones hurt? Seems like ever time it get cloudy and ready to rain my new 12 week old broken clavicle ache like hell. I just don’t understand it. Anyone experience this? I have the plate and screw versions if you need to know.

Also how long will I experience aches and pains with this plate and screws? I go back to the Orthopedic Jan 4.2008 I hope he says the plate is solid enough and I can get back on my bike. I can’t take that trainer anymore!

What do everyone think, is 14 weeks long enough to head back on the road or am I setting myself up or a disappointment from the orthopedic?

Whether weather changes make a person hurt or not is entirely dependent on that person's physiology. After all my fractures.....80+......I don't get any aches or pains with weather changes.

Ask your orthopod about the pain. Any hardware I've had installed hasn't caused any pain, but I also don't have hardware in my clavicle.

And ask your orthopod about riding. Telling him/her/it about wanting to get back on the bike as quickly as possible.

 

[feetorfish]

The old timers used to say they knew when the weather or rain was coming. There really is something to that. Some believe its a change in the barometric pressure that occurs before a front comes through. The change in the pressure can definatly affect how your joints feel. I'm going through it now as we have cold fronts come through in NorthEast Florida.
Most hardware can stay in for life If a screw backs out or a part of a screw or plate irritates you it may need to be taken out.The aches and pains this early on are probably not due to your hardware.
How fast you get back depends on how your X rays look and is up to your surgeon. Listen to him/her.
I saw my Orthopedist yesterday and was given the greenlight to start PT and strength training.

Anyone believe in the weather making your broken bones hurt? Seems like ever time it get cloudy and ready to rain my new 12 week old broken clavicle ache like hell. I just don’t understand it. Anyone experience this? I have the plate and screw versions if you need to know.

Also how long will I experience aches and pains with this plate and screws? I go back to the Orthopedic Jan 4.2008 I hope he says the plate is solid enough and I can get back on my bike. I can’t take that trainer anymore!

What do everyone think, is 14 weeks long enough to head back on the road or am I setting myself up or a disappointment from the orthopedic?

 

[santanaf]

I figured I would drop by this trusty thread to give a brief update on my status. Look back a few pages, I'm in there. Broken left Clavicle about May 22nd 2007. Surgery (ORIF) with plate and 8 screws followed a few days later on May 25th, and a nice vacation to the Bahamas about 5 days later

Today is just shy of 7 months post op (as of Xmas). I feel 100% and have full strength and mobility. My scar is noticable but not severe. I have almost all sensation back south of the incision with the exception of the skin on the front of my left shoulder feeling about 50%. This means I have to really scratch an itch there to get relief. I am pretty skinny (5'10" and ~150lbs) so my collar bones protrude a bit just while standing regularly. The "bump" left from the plate is noticeable without a shirt, but my shoulders are very symetrical. I will take that over poor symatry.

My surgeon paid special attention to attach the tendons and other tissue on top of the plate. It is his plan not to remove the plate and leave it in place. Due to this, and his attachment of the tendons on top of the plate, it gives the edge of the plate less of a "sharp" appearance through my skin. The tendons in my neck on the left side were very tight to begin with, almost able to pluck them like a guitar, but have since stretched back to "normal".

I am back to full physical activity, weigth lifting, etc, and have been since the end of September.

I can still feel the where the bone was broken throgh my skin, and if I push on it with my finger, my left bicep feels "hot." Hard to describe.

I have no problems sleeping on either side at night, and occasionally can "feel" the rain coming, but only in my shoulder where the last screw is inserted.

End result is that I am 100% satisfied with my surgery and doctor. I feel lucky at this to some extent, but moreso, I feel fortunate to have a very good and very well qualified Dr.

If anyone has any questions about my injury or recovery, please ask, this thread is amazing and did so much to help me prepare for the decisions I needed to make.

Alex

 

[Curb]

Hey Alex, I have a few questions. I’ve broke my right clavicle in three pieces just like yours but have the plate and 6 screws and now in my 12 week. I have the same numbness in a small circular section of the front shoulder.

I am 5-10 158 pounds. Skin is thin so you can see outline of the plate and noticeable bump without the shirt.



I did not however have the bone poke through the skin like yours although it was tented pretty well.



Here are my questions. Did you experience tightness in the area from the shoulder and around the clavicle during your healing, and how long did the tenderness around the skin above the plate last or do you still have it?



Dr said I will have to leave mine in also. I’ve been doing PT 3 times a week got 95% full range of motion except sometimes when I put on my coat, something catches and hurt a little but I don’t think it’s from the plate and screws.

How long did you go to PT before you ended?



I am using a 2 pound weight in PT and doing standing pushups against the wall. How much weight have you recently been doing? Just curious what I can look forward to in the coming months.

And last, but I will think of something later I am sure, what kind of diet were you on the last 7 months?



I value your answers and I understand everyone is different so what good for you might be different for me. I just can’t wait to heal up and get past this part of my life.



And you are right, this is an excellent forum. A few guys like Feetorish and Alienator and now you have been excellent in giving some advice. So that helps provides us newbies with a little motivation and positive hope.

I figured I would drop by this trusty thread to give a brief update on my status. Look back a few pages, I'm in there. Broken left Clavicle about May 22nd 2007. Surgery (ORIF) with plate and 8 screws followed a few days later on May 25th, and a nice vacation to the Bahamas about 5 days later

Today is just shy of 7 months post op (as of Xmas). I feel 100% and have full strength and mobility. My scar is noticable but not severe. I have almost all sensation back south of the incision with the exception of the skin on the front of my left shoulder feeling about 50%. This means I have to really scratch an itch there to get relief. I am pretty skinny (5'10" and ~150lbs) so my collar bones protrude a bit just while standing regularly. The "bump" left from the plate is noticeable without a shirt, but my shoulders are very symetrical. I will take that over poor symatry.

My surgeon paid special attention to attach the tendons and other tissue on top of the plate. It is his plan not to remove the plate and leave it in place. Due to this, and his attachment of the tendons on top of the plate, it gives the edge of the plate less of a "sharp" appearance through my skin. The tendons in my neck on the left side were very tight to begin with, almost able to pluck them like a guitar, but have since stretched back to "normal".

I am back to full physical activity, weigth lifting, etc, and have been since the end of September.

I can still feel the where the bone was broken throgh my skin, and if I push on it with my finger, my left bicep feels "hot." Hard to describe.

I have no problems sleeping on either side at night, and occasionally can "feel" the rain coming, but only in my shoulder where the last screw is inserted.

End result is that I am 100% satisfied with my surgery and doctor. I feel lucky at this to some extent, but moreso, I feel fortunate to have a very good and very well qualified Dr.

If anyone has any questions about my injury or recovery, please ask, this thread is amazing and did so much to help me prepare for the decisions I needed to make.

Alex

 

[santanaf]

I actually never had it break the skin, so you and I are in the same boat. I only broke it in one place, but there were a few small chips and lots of distance between the pieces.

I did have a lot of tightness, but the PT I did helped that a TON. Doing PT before I was out of the sling, passive motion assisted by the therapist, was the key to loosening me up. So once the sling was off, I progressed very quickly.

I think I did PT 2 or 3 times a week for 8 weeks, beginning at week 3.5 post op. Oddly, I have had little to no pain since about 1 week after surgery, slight tenderness in the surgery site is the extent, never within my clavicle/shoulder.

I massaged the surgery site, sometimes with Vit. E, sometimes just pushing the skin around a lot with my fingers, to break apart the scar tissue and make sure it didn't heal to the bone. This also helped with general mobility as I was able to do more.

Weightlifting started back up at bench press of 45 lb dumbells. I had noticable lag in my left arm. That was back in September. I am back up to 3 sets of 10 with 80lb bells on chest days, and can rep at 190lbs with the bar. I love weighted dips, and I was worried I wouldn't be able to do those, but that causes no pain at all. I do those on chest/shoulder/tri days and am comfortable. Military press is the slowest to come back at this point. I am probably about 85%-90% of my normal weight. My right arm would have no problem, its my left with the issue The only excercise that causes any odd feeling, not even discomformt, just different, is the seated row. It is at the very end of the pull that something just feels different, hard to describe.

I will be going back for a 9 month checkup here in a bit to make sure everything looks good, and at Christmas I will have a pretty sweet thing to show all of my family.

As for diet, I'm 30 now, but luckily have a high metabolism. So my diet has more or less been, try to eat healthy with lots of fiber for most of the week, and go out to eat and have some wine or beer when I can get my wife or friends to tag along. Not a real scientific diet, but def a fun one. I will appreciate my ability to do that as long as I can stay healthy doing it.

Hey Alex, I have a few questions. I’ve broke my right clavicle in three pieces just like yours but have the plate and 6 screws and now in my 12 week. I have the same numbness in a small circular section of the front shoulder.

I am 5-10 158 pounds. Skin is thin so you can see outline of the plate and noticeable bump without the shirt.



I did not however have the bone poke through the skin like yours although it was tented pretty well.



Here are my questions. Did you experience tightness in the area from the shoulder and around the clavicle during your healing, and how long did the tenderness around the skin above the plate last or do you still have it?



Dr said I will have to leave mine in also. I’ve been doing PT 3 times a week got 95% full range of motion except sometimes when I put on my coat, something catches and hurt a little but I don’t think it’s from the plate and screws.

How long did you go to PT before you ended?



I am using a 2 pound weight in PT and doing standing pushups against the wall. How much weight have you recently been doing? Just curious what I can look forward to in the coming months.

And last, but I will think of something later I am sure, what kind of diet were you on the last 7 months?



I value your answers and I understand everyone is different so what good for you might be different for me. I just can’t wait to heal up and get past this part of my life.



And you are right, this is an excellent forum. A few guys like Feetorish and Alienator and now you have been excellent in giving some advice. So that helps provides us newbies with a little motivation and positive hope.

 

[Felt_Rider]

Weightlifting started back up at bench press of 45 lb dumbells. I had noticable lag in my left arm. That was back in September. I am back up to 3 sets of 10 with 80lb bells on chest days, and can rep at 190lbs with the bar. I love weighted dips, and I was worried I wouldn't be able to do those, but that causes no pain at all. I do those on chest/shoulder/tri days and am comfortable. Military press is the slowest to come back at this point. I am probably about 85%-90% of my normal weight. My right arm would have no problem, its my left with the issue The only excercise that causes any odd feeling, not even discomformt, just different, is the seated row. It is at the very end of the pull that something just feels different, hard to describe.

Sounds like you are doing pretty good.
My crash was back in early September, but the injury was only a grade 2 or 3 separated shoulder so there was no medical treatment. Only home treatment and therapy. There is a noticeable bump and I have full range of motion now. However, the weights that I am using are still disappointingly light especially when training chest. There is a good bit of discomfort, but that is part of rebuilding/therapy. I have a feeling mine will take a long time to heal and to get back to using weights that I once used.

On the bike it is kind of weird. Like today we did a lot of elevation change so the torque I use while climbing the shoulder joint pops in and out, but there is no discomfort. On descents there is some shifting in the joint with my weight over the bars and that is kind of an uneasy feeling as we twist through the turns. Mentally I am still really apprehensive. I am now the last one down the hill in my group and they did drop me, but I have to be cautious. I can't imagine another wreck on this shoulder at the moment.

 

[Curb]

Thanks Santana, this is good information and glad you are progressing very well. I only hope I have the same outcome as you.

Was there ever a time where you felt a little depress and worried about loosing your fitness and returning to normal fitness activities?



I used to be 230 pounds high blood pressure and other monkeys on my back, you name it!

I got myself down to 158 pounds, clean and healthy no more high blood pressure and can out perform many guys younger than me. Average speed 19-22 mph.

It took me 5 years to get to this point, and to loose it because a rider (Cyclist) got fatigue in a paceline and crash in front of me and took a bunch of us out is really hard to swallow.



And just like you FELT RIDER, I am so worried about getting on the bike.

I will see the orthopedic in January, and as I said previously, hope he gives me the ok to get on the road. But hell man, I don’t want to crash and start over!



Anyway Santana, we appreciate you coming back and keeping us posted on your status and sharing your recovery. I will do the same here also.

As you may have gather from my responses, one of the biggest issues we have in this thread for all of us over achiever and super fit athletes, is that damn dark cloud lurking around the corner call DEPRESSION and being PAITENT for recovery.



That little cheap bone called the clavicle…WHY ME!!!!!



I know, I know, hang in there Curb!

I actually never had it break the skin, so you and I are in the same boat. I only broke it in one place, but there were a few small chips and lots of distance between the pieces.

I did have a lot of tightness, but the PT I did helped that a TON. Doing PT before I was out of the sling, passive motion assisted by the therapist, was the key to loosening me up. So once the sling was off, I progressed very quickly.

I think I did PT 2 or 3 times a week for 8 weeks, beginning at week 3.5 post op. Oddly, I have had little to no pain since about 1 week after surgery, slight tenderness in the surgery site is the extent, never within my clavicle/shoulder.

I massaged the surgery site, sometimes with Vit. E, sometimes just pushing the skin around a lot with my fingers, to break apart the scar tissue and make sure it didn't heal to the bone. This also helped with general mobility as I was able to do more.

Weightlifting started back up at bench press of 45 lb dumbells. I had noticable lag in my left arm. That was back in September. I am back up to 3 sets of 10 with 80lb bells on chest days, and can rep at 190lbs with the bar. I love weighted dips, and I was worried I wouldn't be able to do those, but that causes no pain at all. I do those on chest/shoulder/tri days and am comfortable. Military press is the slowest to come back at this point. I am probably about 85%-90% of my normal weight. My right arm would have no problem, its my left with the issue The only excercise that causes any odd feeling, not even discomformt, just different, is the seated row. It is at the very end of the pull that something just feels different, hard to describe.

I will be going back for a 9 month checkup here in a bit to make sure everything looks good, and at Christmas I will have a pretty sweet thing to show all of my family.

As for diet, I'm 30 now, but luckily have a high metabolism. So my diet has more or less been, try to eat healthy with lots of fiber for most of the week, and go out to eat and have some wine or beer when I can get my wife or friends to tag along. Not a real scientific diet, but def a fun one. I will appreciate my ability to do that as long as I can stay healthy doing it.

 

[jetnjeff]

I figured I would drop by this trusty thread to give a brief update on my status. Look back a few pages, I'm in there. Broken left Clavicle about May 22nd 2007. Surgery (ORIF) with plate and 8 screws followed a few days later on May 25th, and a nice vacation to the Bahamas about 5 days later

Today is just shy of 7 months post op (as of Xmas). I feel 100% and have full strength and mobility. My scar is noticable but not severe. I have almost all sensation back south of the incision with the exception of the skin on the front of my left shoulder feeling about 50%. This means I have to really scratch an itch there to get relief. I am pretty skinny (5'10" and ~150lbs) so my collar bones protrude a bit just while standing regularly. The "bump" left from the plate is noticeable without a shirt, but my shoulders are very symetrical. I will take that over poor symatry.

I had my break exactly on 4/22. No surgery, Used bone stimulator after a few weeks. I had no pain and stayed off the pain killers to stay aware of poor movement choices. I was pretty good at just doing enough movement. No actual PT I just used it to it's limit ( which was very little at the beginning). I was road riding early (Week 4), before doc said to stop. Just alone to work and back a few times a week (10 miles one way) no standing or intensity, just had to move. Did not get the green light until week 12. No PT prescribed. I am a Cycling coach and used to be a personal trainer and know my body pretty well. The doc was happy with my range of motion and basically do what feels good. I never stopped riding and I think it helped. Early I put very little weight on the bad side and gradually added more and was very careful to float over bumps. Later I started standing for short periods and increased from there. I was using the hand as much as by body allowed to turn screw drivers etc.

I have been 100% for months and even MTB raced a single speed rigid on 10/14 after only a few MTB rides. Had built up intensity on the road from mid July. Including a century with 11K feet of climbing in September.

My body is now more symetrical since I broke the other colar bone a couple decades ago. This one was easier, maybe cause of the experiance with the first one. I know from that one that tendons will rub and snap over the bulge like a ruber band for quite a while, until the limp smooths and later as the bone remodels itself.

Oh yeah I get to shovel and break ice now

Odd note. Other parts of my body would get sore while doing things with only one arm, mostly my back, Boy did my good arm get stong. Before long I could lift a bike on to a second tier rack with no assistance from my damaged wing. Get it up into the trough with out getting hit with the flopping from wheel and flailing was the turning point

 

[SJP784]

Before and After surgery xrays are here
http://grrrip.com/pictures/claviclepics
along with some comentary.

As to the questions I had for the doctor,
"Will the screw bend or break if I break my clavicle again ?"
His answer was no, it will not bend or break, the bone will break at the end of the screw.

Hmmm, not a lot there to put things back to gether ???
He stated, if it where to break at the end of the screw, it should not be as bad and it would be a no-surgery heal.

So 3 months after surgery things are well. 95% of the movement is back (no physical thearopy), pain is almost zero (except when I sleep on my right side, about 30 minutes in it starts to ache, and when I move, holly ****! for the first 30 seconds while attempting to roll over to the left side). There is still quite a bit of numbness, and it will take a bit longer to regain all my strength (can't start my snow blower right handed yet, but can do most other things).

If any one is interested in compiling the stuff on this board andcreating a FAQ let me know. I have room to host it on my site.

Steve
[email protected]
make the subject clear, this address gets lots of spam and your message may get missed if you don't.

Hello all, awesome thread. I wish I found it sooner.
I broke my clavicle, on Aug 31st. while parcticing at NHIS for a Loudon Road Race Series weekend of racing (motorcycles).
When I went down, it was a pretty good hit, there was more pain in my fingers than any where else. I was able to get up, run over to my bike, turn it off and get behind the concrete wall and sit down, a bit out of breath, but no big deal, so I thought. I was flexing my fingers when all of a sudden, pop, major pain in the shoulder.

I originally turned down the ambulance ride, but was now reqesting it. Trip to the ER where the took some x-rays, 2 Er doctors said it was a very bad fracture and although they are not orthpedic surgens they felt this one needed surgery.

It was a Holiday weekend and could not see a surgeon until Tuesday, the first Dr on Tues, looked at the x-rays, and I think before he looked at them he was planning to send me on my way, but as soon as he looked at them, he said hang on a minute and went to get another Dr. The 2nd Dr came in, took a look and recomended fixing it, although if I wished, it could be left alone.

Surgery was on that Thursday. Instead of doing a plate and screws, he did one long screw, down the length of the bone. I hope to get a copy of the after x-ray as I have seen no mention of this fix (although I have not read all 24 pages of this thread yet) and upload them to my site with the before x-rays also.

Friday after the surgery was a really bad day, Saturday much better, with improvement since (except today, its been pretty bad, not sure why, not really to painful, but very annoying)

I have several questions for the Dr when I see himin 2 weeks, like, If the screw is left in and I break the bone again, is the screw going to break or bend ? If its bent, how do you go about getting it out when its bent ?


Steve

 

[Curb]

Hi Steve, your surgery looks good. Your orthopedic did a nice job. You're we lucky to have found him.

He did a nice job threading that pin through those broken pieces and lining them up straight.

I only wish I knew that this site existed before I got the surgery, I would have been a little more demanding from the Othro and would have ask him the pro and cons of the pin vs. the plate and screws. But I suppose when you're in a bad accident, you don't have a whole lot of time to research and ask questions when you need surgery right away.

Before and After surgery xrays are here
http://grrrip.com/pictures/claviclepics
along with some comentary.

As to the questions I had for the doctor,
"Will the screw bend or break if I break my clavicle again ?"
His answer was no, it will not bend or break, the bone will break at the end of the screw.

Hmmm, not a lot there to put things back to gether ???
He stated, if it where to break at the end of the screw, it should not be as bad and it would be a no-surgery heal.

So 3 months after surgery things are well. 95% of the movement is back (no physical thearopy), pain is almost zero (except when I sleep on my right side, about 30 minutes in it starts to ache, and when I move, holly ****! for the first 30 seconds while attempting to roll over to the left side). There is still quite a bit of numbness, and it will take a bit longer to regain all my strength (can't start my snow blower right handed yet, but can do most other things).

If any one is interested in compiling the stuff on this board andcreating a FAQ let me know. I have room to host it on my site.

Steve
[email protected]
make the subject clear, this address gets lots of spam and your message may get missed if you don't.