Broken Collar Bone Recovery Time

PB Forum :: Fitness, Training and Health
Broken Collar Bone Recovery Time
Author Message
flag fivehat
Posted: Jun 9, 2017 at 7:29 Quote
Sixhaty wrote:
I broke mine a week ago and my doctor said I could take it off while sleeping and at 3 weeks completely take off the sling. If I take it off to sleep will it heal slower?

I think you'd heal faster with it off while you sleep because you'd be more comfortable sleeping, thus healing bone faster. Bone only heals when you sleep. Of course, if you're a flailer in your sleep you would probably want to keep it on -I've had a couple of painful twitches over the past couple of weeks with my injury while I was asleep and that is not fun.
flag Andy198712
Posted: Jun 10, 2017 at 14:01 Quote
photo
just did this on Wednesday and got fracture clinic on friday, my shoulder hangs pretty low now, a good 2-3 inches lower then the other side. hopefully it heals okay!
flag Leo-NZ
Posted: Jun 14, 2017 at 2:17 Quote
Broke my clavicle 5 weeks ago now

Doc told me i'd be out for at least 2 months and closer to 3. I'm a young 14 still growing and its been healing well. They told me to come back in after 2 months to check in but feeling around the bones seem to be overlapped quite badly. There's definitely noticeable shortening when I look in the mirror and id be surprised if the overlap was any less than two centimetres. I feel fine but what will shortening actually do to you, i've heard it just restricts movement but i'm extremely active and I want the best out of my healing.
flag Sixhaty
Posted: Jun 14, 2017 at 23:37 Quote
My doctor said that in a couple of days I am okay to take off the sling, which will mean 2 weeks with the sling and 4 weeks without. Is it really early enough to take off the sling, should I immobilise it longer? Also, I was wondering if I keep my arm in a specific position without the sling or I just can leave it in any position
flag Andy198712
Posted: Jun 16, 2017 at 11:14 Quote
With me X-ray above, there isn't enough bone on the end to screw a flat plate to apparently, so having a hook plate put in Tuesday.

Wondering how long I'll be signed off work for!
flag fivehat
Posted: Jun 18, 2017 at 18:37 Quote
hatfield44 wrote:
Mine was like you describe. Low my arm was fine, but if I tried to raise my elbow in any direction it hurt and didn't really move. I believe it was when the AC joint would get moved any that caused the pain and stopped the movement. That was the last of the pain to leave me, but after working it for a while everything is good.

Hatfield44 - You said "after working the a/c joint for a while" it was all good. How long did it take you? I see it took you two months to sleep comfortably, just wondering how long before your a/c pain left, as that seems to be my major nemesis right now.
I'm 4 weeks in, bones have straightened out on their own and are overlapping slightly and starting to calcify/fuse, but my range of motion is still pretty limited. Anytime trying to lift arm over head or out in front of me I get ton of a/c pain top of shoulder. Just trying to get a gauge on time for comparison. Starting in on week 5 and just feeling like my healing stage has stalled. Thanks!
flag hatfield44
O+
Posted: Jun 29, 2017 at 13:29 Quote
I would guess that it was around 3-4 months before I was COMPLETELY pain free. I do remember having that same stalled feeling and being afraid I had a bum shoulder for life. I just kept pushing using and stretching it, and the pain faded away.
flag VladBDev
Posted: Jul 1, 2017 at 11:01 Quote
New member in the club. Broke my collarbone in a stupid accident on an easy downhill trail on the 25th of June. The doctor suggested surgery for full recovery and getting rid of the pain. Got the surgery on the 29th and got a Ti plate and screws. Indeed, every movement stopped hurting. I have a numb shoulder though, which I read goes away eventually. The only thing that bothers me is the incision. It's a pain I can deal with - I cover the area with ice.
I also get tired very easily.
I use a sling. The doctor suggested a few basic moves while laying on the back without the sling.
flag fivehat
Posted: Jul 2, 2017 at 12:53 Quote
Thanks for getting back to me Hatfield44 -

I suppose it's just a waiting game now... Just passed the six week mark on Saturday and was also the first time I could lift arm out in front of me above head, as well as lift to the side above my head. Prior to that it was basically only 90 degrees both ways at most.
Though I can lift arm slightly over head level now, I'm still weak as hell! Everybody says strength will come back quickly but its been such a long process it seems already. Plus the pain I feel when lifting arm -I can barely get my atrophied arm up, let alone doing it with weights in my hand. Which stinks because I typically work out 5X week at a gym.

Also had my first PT appointment last week...He basically assessed ROM and gave me some stretches. He said everything was pretty tight but seemed confident I would get full ROM back. Said my shoulder blade on injured side was a bit higher and tipped forward than on the other due to "adaptive shortening" (i.e., keeping it in the typical default tucked-in arm at side position) which I do feel when sitting in chairs, but thinks that'll correct itself after the PT sessions and strengthening. Two weeks of ROM work, and four weeks of strengthening.

By then I'll be at the the three month mark so hopefully life will start to get back to normal. Fingers crossed. Sucks...middle of summer, out of work right at the start of my busy season, and five mouths to feed at home! I'm gonna think twice before doing this again.

Appreciate the feedback along the way, it's been helpful to gauge progress from you/others who have been through it before.
flag Sixhaty
Posted: Jul 7, 2017 at 0:05 Quote
Is there something wrong? In the 1st and 2 week it hurt lots, however in the 3rd it was fine, 4th and start of 5th week hurt a bit as well. But doctors say I will heal in 6 weeks?
flag VladBDev
Posted: Jul 21, 2017 at 8:16 Quote
3 weeks post surgery I can easily move my arm, but cannot lift things. Back at office work for the last 2 weeks. I am now able to sleep on my "good" side, but I spend most of the nigh sleeping on my back.

I didn't have any pain related to the injury.

I am now more aware of the metal plate. However, it looks like the skin is stuck to the plate. Is it only me or did it happen to anyone else?
flag chr2
O+
Posted: Sep 20, 2017 at 7:49 Quote
Yay! So glad to gain entry to this club! Always have been kind of a joiner. Here's my entry credential:
X-Ray post crash on new double jump at Scout Camp
Obtained it a week ago Tuesday. I am grateful to find this chain though: thanks to everyone for posting their experiences, answering so many of the questions I have at this early stage.

Sounds like I may be ok proceeding with recovery without any surgery, plates, screws and the like. And good to know I should start moving the arm to the limits where pain kicks in, yes?

Charlie
flag yyc650b
O+
Posted: Sep 20, 2017 at 16:04 Quote
chr2 wrote:
Yay! So glad to gain entry to this club! Always have been kind of a joiner. Here's my entry credential:
X-Ray post crash on new double jump at Scout Camp
Obtained it a week ago Tuesday. I am grateful to find this chain though: thanks to everyone for posting their experiences, answering so many of the questions I have at this early stage.

Sounds like I may be ok proceeding with recovery without any surgery, plates, screws and the like. And good to know I should start moving the arm to the limits where pain kicks in, yes?

Charlie


I started moving mine after 7 days and got rid of the sling. Doctors orders. I was doing full range of motion on day 7 as well. Finger wall walks etc......I was riding after week eight fully committed to where I was at before. Good luck! Shred hard
flag hvmatt
Posted: Sep 22, 2017 at 15:55 Quote
A friend said to me after I told her about my break-"there are two types of mountain bikers.Those have have broken a collarbone and those who will!"It's my third time.It happened a week ago and I dont see my specialist til Weds to find out about surgery.The ED docs. thought not.I'm just hoping recovery goes like the other two times-I was back riding at 12 weeks and had done heaps of physio,walking,stationary bike up until that point.It did feel odd and my confidence took a dent the second time.This time I'll know to avoid going otb on large(for me) drops!!!.It's frustrating as my riding has progressed so much this year and now I just have to wait and see how I am both mentally and physically.
flag Lamster
Posted: Jan 30, 2018 at 5:23 Quote
Broke my left collarbone 23 nov 2017, midshaft area, it’s malunion by 1 cm’ish. Bone has healed, I can move arm most directions but move it up above my head about 100 degrees in front there is an ache.
Also I have pins and needles and tingling feeling down my left arm and left leg.
Any advice please ?
Thanks

 


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