Clavicle Club

[Gunner]

OK... so I broke my clavicle.

Good news is it didn't hurt and now that I'm almost 2 weeks along the bones don't grind together anymore (very weird feeling!).

Bad news is it takes two hands to do all the things I love to do and the thought of missing the rest of the riding/racing season doesn’t sit well with me.

If you’ve been there and have the T-shirt, please post up…

- How long before you could get back on the bike recreationally?
- How long before you went back to racing?
- When and what did you do to rehab for strength and flexibility?
- How long until your shoulder was back to normal strength?
- Any long-term issues?
- Key learnings to share?

Pics are a bonus!
THANKS

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

I was on streetbike 3 Weeks later and on the track 4 Weeks later. I DO NOT RECOMEND THIS. Mine is still Jacked I can't really Tighten bolts and Its hurts still sometimes and cant put leathers on myself.

I would wait until it really heals.

[Speed Demon 828]

I broke both of mine. The first one I broke I did all the recommend stuff, physical therapy, all the crap. It took like 5 weeks to heal but it healed up nice. When I broke the other one I was riding in 2 weeks and racing in 3. No therapy or any other shit. That one still isn't right.

Point is take your time. Do what your Doc tells you to and you should be mint!

[Pestilence]

Broke both of them.. right falling out of a tree, left in skateboarding accident. I still have a lump from that one as I broke it completely in half.

It's one of those bones that needs time to heal. It can be easily re-broken as it calcifies if not plated and pinned. If they gave you a figure 8 brace keep it tight and try not to lift above you head for the first month or so. It took me almost 10 weeks for my left to heal fully to where I wasn't afraid to to things. 16 weeks and I was throwing stuff again and I was 17 when it happened.

Do not sleep on it, watch out for door jams and reaching to grab that closing door.

[gregp]

I broke mine nearly 14 years ago (hit a cable across the trail - with my neck!). I still have limited use of my right shoulder and can pick up much more weight with my left arm, and I am right handed.
I still have a visible protrusion of bone sticking up under my skin...
Very lengthy recovery time - at this point, indefinate.
Sorry to be such a downer, just telling it like it is.
Good Luck!
(Worst part: Learning to wipe, Lefty!)

[Stoneman]

Yip, echoing what others're saying: I broke mine 10 years ago and ignored it, literally. 'Officially' found out I broke it about 4 weeks later, but I was already riding again and already began to heal 'incorrectly'. Mine's not a constant weakness or pain, it comes & goes. If given the chance, I'd do it 'by the book' as I'd do with all other injuries that I've ignored rather than treat. Bad move - the older you get, the more it reminds you how stupid you were...

[obsolete]

I popped mine out of place when I broke all my right ribs, my scapula and strained a bunch of tendons. I did all my physical therapy and can still tell it's not all back. I didn't ride for about 6 months at least. Worry about healing. BIkes will always be there, your health may not be.

[Stoneman]

...the older you get, the more it reminds you how stupid you were...

I shoulda checked your age before I made that comment...

[woody9189]

I popped mine out of place when I broke all my right ribs, my scapula and strained a bunch of tendons. I did all my physical therapy and can still tell it's not all back. I didn't ride for about 6 months at least. Worry about healing. BIkes will always be there, your health may not be.

Ouch! How did that happen?

[Doc]

Broke it last May, Should of had surgery, did extensive Physical Therapy and was back on a bike in July, racing in August (I think). Still weaker than it was but I have been milking it

[Wild.Bill]

I am about 3 weeks ahead of you in the healing process (and a lot older). Had a Dr. appointment about 10 days after I broke it and found that it was not healing properly so last monday (the 7th) they put a plate in to hold everything in place. After 2 days I could feel that things were better and no more grinding when I moved. Everyone that I talked to thought that this was a good move.

Still early in the healing process but heading in the right direction.

Where do I get the T-shirt?

[Gunner]

Thanks Folks... Good to hear a number of folks have suffered the same injury and healed up well.

The 2 orthopedic docs I've seen were very "matter of fact" about the injury. Almost like they don't take it seriously. As a result they haven't been much help with prescribing range of motion exercises to follow or what to expect during recovery.

I'm at 3 weeks post injury now. I got out of the sling this week and can get my arm up to the horizontal without much issue. Shoulder feels weak, but no rotator cuff damage as far as I can tell. Seems to be getting better every day at this point.

July's Round 5 will be at 7 weeks post injury... so I might make it. If not, I think I should definitely be back in August.