Clavicle Error - Broken Collarbone

"Once"?!
Its happened already.

Fair point, tho they have so much more destruction in the pipeline.

Strong work Luffgussers

Fess up - who was it?!

O'Shane - I see a Welsh flag - it was you, wasn't it? ;)

Fess up - who was it?!
.
That was me :)

Some really helpful reading on here, and unsurprisingly, a wide range of experiences, treatments and medical wisdom is out there.

I'm following the advice of King's College Hospital's fracture clinic. They seem to think inserting a plate carries more risk for me than doing nothing, though they want to take x-rays every week as my clavicle heals (seems like a lot of x-rays?!).

After a few initial days of excruciating localised pain, swelling, bruising, stiffness and dull aching in my back and shoulder muscles, which resulted in my relying heavily on painkillers to function/sleep/inhale, I'm surprised to find I'm now able to stop the day time drugs (they made me hyper and nauseated anyway), and hardly want to use the sling, even though I think I probably should(?) for now.

It's amazing how people still go to grab or pat my shoulder even though they see the sling and know about the injury.

It's also apparent how I now notice ALL THE PEOPLE with casts and slings hobbling around London.

It's amazing how people still go to grab or pat my shoulder even though they see the sling and know about the injury.

I found the sling unnecessary very quickly, I just kept it to indicate to others I was injured. Mostly worked, except on the rush hour tube. Then it was just seen as a mark of weakness they could exploit to get on the train ahead of you.

^snap
5 week since since squirrel gate and a grade 3 acj dislocation.4 weeks since a hook plate been it in. Still in the sling. Right arm is just dead weight can't fully extend it or lift more than 20 degrees. Got follow up with Kingston hospital on Thursday and hopefully I be starting some physio.

The surgical/non-surgical thing is contentious even amongst those who know what they are talking about, but my take is to try and avoid letting people cut you open unless really necessary. Really not keen on an accidental snag of any of the tubes and wires that run around under the skin there.

^ Yeah, pretty much my thinking.

^^ All the best omash27.

Some really helpful reading on here, and unsurprisingly, a wide range of experiences, treatments and medical wisdom is out there.

I'm following the advice of King's College Hospital's fracture clinic. They seem to think inserting a plate carries more risk for me than doing nothing, though they want to take x-rays every week as my clavicle heals (seems like a lot of x-rays?!).

After a few initial days of excruciating localised pain, swelling, bruising, stiffness and dull aching in my back and shoulder muscles, which resulted in my relying heavily on painkillers to function/sleep/inhale, I'm surprised to find I'm now able to stop the day time drugs (they made me hyper and nauseated anyway), and hardly want to use the sling, even though I think I probably should(?) for now.

It's amazing how people still go to grab or pat my shoulder even though they see the sling and know about the injury.

It's also apparent how I now notice ALL THE PEOPLE with casts and slings hobbling around London.

So I may have spoken a bit too soon re. the whole "I feel no pain" thang.

*SH*TTING F*CKADOODLE-DO AAAARGH JEBUS CHR*ST G*D DAMN!!!*

^CSB

^ Got some codeine left over from my recuperation if you run out. Though I am definitely not a doctor.

^^^^ First thing the physio did with me was yank my arm way up about twice as far as I could get it myself. I suppose they knew what they were doing and it turned out fine in the end, but ouch.

Aw thanks! I'm just being a big baby. Just need to slow down, take the pills I've been prescribed and go easy on the press-ups.

I had an excruciating clavicle dislocation back in february that tore pretty much everything in my shoulder. They stuck a plate in with five screws that held it in place while it healed.

Im glad you got the option of not doing the plate, and from what I've been reading on the internet exercise is a good thing, but dont push yourself any further than you feel comfortable. Throughout the healing process I found swimming the best, but only when you're ready, and often you wont feel anything until the end of the session and definately the next day.

I also went to Kings, they were good but not good enough - they sent me packing after two days and a night in actually quite a nice and single occupancy hospital room with no prescription and no pain killers. Also no information other than take ibuprofen and paracetomal. When that nerve blocker and all the morphine they'd been squirting into my mouth the night before wore off I can tell you I have never nor do I plan to ever feel anything like that. My eyes are watering thinking about it. If you feel anything coming and don't feel comfortable managing the pain go to a walk in clinic or a GP.

They also told me it was going to be key hole surgery. I have a six inch scare to prove otherwise.

Also codeine = massive, massive turds.

I was given a lovely box of senakot to go with my codeine. Ahem.

Codeine also = itching, as it's a pro-histamine. So never take it if you've got a cast on. My girlfriend found that out the hard way.

Just back from first physio at st Thomas's.

I have a feeling it's going to hurt. A lot.

Kingston hospital is one of the most efficient hospital I have ever been in. I had a hospital appointment at 11. Arrived at 10.40 straightaway taken to get X-ray of the shoulder. At 1055 I saw the doctor. He was happy with shoulder. Starting physio on Monday and I will have surgery to remove the plate in 7 weeks time! The doctor rekons I be on a bicycle by end of September/October. So happy days!

That's great news and I'm impressed with Kingston.

King's are very good staff-wise, but they are normally so busy that the waiting times can vary extremely.

Yesterday I had to do the full 4-waiting-area-rotation before I was even x-rayed, an hour and a half after my appointment was due - and I was there as they opened! (The faulty intranet system that was struggling to send referrals across the corridor last week, seemed to have entirely packed up, yet both departments were complaining it was each other's problem.)

I'm sorry if anyone fell asleep reading that ^ :/

Exercises at home are definitely starting to help.

More movement and generally "feels" bit better.

Biggest issue I have is trying to sleep. Had about 17 pillows last night.

Any suggestions?

I been sleeping on the sofa for the last 6 weeks. I tried sleeping in my bed but no amount of pillows would stop it from being sore. I also just watched TV till I passed out and went to sleep

Haha, just saw my picture shared here, my memory is weird. Never actually been into this thread before but the title was the inspiration for my graffiti.

Biggest issue I have is trying to sleep. Had about 17 pillows last night.

Any suggestions?

Absolutely not recommending this but i was self medicating with a very fine single malt on the nights when i couldn't get to sleep. Very soporific synergy with the codeine too...

In other news, after 8 months since the accident, apart from the battle mark of a lumpy collarbone and the odd twinge in the join which very well may be psychosomatic, I am starting to get back to the level of strength and fitness i had before the break (and I'm not really training as such, just commuting). So to anyone feeling down about the restrictive nature of the injury, rest assured it will all be behind you soon.

Absolutely not recommending this but i was self medicating with a very fine single malt on the nights when i couldn't get to sleep. Very soporific synergy with the codeine too...

In other news, after 8 months since the accident, apart from the battle mark of a lumpy collarbone and the odd twinge in the join which very well may be psychosomatic, I am starting to get back to the level of strength and fitness i had before the break (and I'm not really training as such, just commuting). So to anyone feeling down about the restrictive nature of the injury, rest assured it will all be behind you soon.

First decent nights sleep in a long time! (with some assistance).

Still swinging back and forth between desperation to get back on the bike and thinking of chucking it in (especially with a young family to support).

Although the thought of 3 hours a day on public transport is dreadful

I been doing the physio exercise to wake up my elbow for the last two days and I almost can fully straighten my arm. So happy!

Haha, just saw my picture shared here, my memory is weird. Never actually been into this thread before but the title was the inspiration for my graffiti.
Repped!

I been doing the physio exercise to wake up my elbow for the last two days and I almost can fully straighten my arm. So happy!

Good news!

I'm probably not supposed to, but to ensure sleep, I've been upping my codeine at bedtime and not taking any during the day. Now I'm also on antibiotics for a finger infection, but fortunately, the two don't seem to interfere with each other, or with the various other meds I have to take.

Alas, I'm not even feeling a little bit high ;)

It is so surprising how much shoulder strength can be lost in such short period of time!

I think you'll also be surprised how quickly you can get it back once you have restored a decent range of movement.