Clavicle Error - Broken Collarbone

Scratch that, I have the details, will see if I can get looked at today. I have absolutely no idea how to go about this in the US however- to Google!

Screaming in pain would be a definite sign. Especially the morning after.

No breaks “large enough to see”, which I’m taking to mean “it’s fine”.

Ooops, did it again. Nipped through the woods, didn't expect wet slippery patches during this hot weather. Should have known better, front slick tyre slipped. Left clavicle broken at shoulder end. This is the 5th time I've broken one (3 left, 2 right). So frustrated! Well, at least I know how to heal it.

5th - ouch. Have you considered etc...

Oh, Phil ... heal up soon!

Geico Insurance?

At it again, same one as 5y ago, when I had a plate put in and then removed. I guess making the plate into a memento bottle opener was not that effective.

I am now waiting for the NHS virtual Fracture cilnic to mkae a call on whether get it plated or not. While at first I was not so keen on the idea of a third surgery on the same spot, I have now convinced myself it'd be best. Anyone been through a similar process?

Also, can, and likely will, go private through work insurance. Any recommendation for good orthopedicc clinics in London?

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Did you see the UCL fracture clinic five years ago? They was brilliant with my elbow fracture during Covid and the consultant surgeons work through insurance if you have.

I was followed by UCLH 5y ago, overall really happy with them. This time I went to Whipps Cross A&E for now and have been referred to their fracture clinic

I let my left one heal naturally last time without so much as a sling. Just supported it when necessary and carried on using it gently. It healed fast and hardly lost any muscle mass during that time. Win!

If you want yours plating though, fair enough.

I let my left one heal naturally last time without so much as a sling

How? I feel my two parts of it moving at every minor muscle twich.. Concerned it would take ages without a plate.

Did you see the UCL fracture clinic five years ago? They was brilliant with my elbow fracture during Covid and the consultant surgeons work through insurance if you have.

I did back then, trying to book an appointment privately has not been successful so far tho..

Any recommendation for orthopedic consultant/clinics to go with under insurance?

Like I said, support it and use it gently. I used my right hand under my left elbow for support when moving around. If you're using the tube or travelling by bus you might want to use a sling though, as much to let people know not to knock you as much as anything else. Whilst using public transport during the pandemic, social distancing meant no-one came close enough to knock into me anyway, so I got away with no sling at all. It's personal choice really, but having had 5 clavicle breaks now it just feels more natural to me to heal it the way I did. I didn't even go for an x-ray to check it had healed, I just knew it had, although they had left an open appointment in case I wanted it checked.

I had mine done at London Bridge Hospital using work insurance.

Mr Tavakoli Zada was my surgeon - real doctor (i.e. not orthos) friends & family though he did a great job.

Non-union is more likely with conservative treatment, short-term functional outcomes are more effective with operative approaches (specifically plate fixation), operative approaches have higher occurrence of complications, mid- to long-term functional outcomes appear to be similar (though with less research available).

(All based on a brief, non-systematic lay-person review of readily available literature.)

I have a healed but non-union break. It's about 20 years old now and not really any bother. I feel it a bit in my shoulders carrying heavy luggage for a long time and sometimes feel a bit compressed when I wake up after sleeping on my side all night but a good stretch sorts both of those out.

Did discuss an operation with a private consultant when we realised it was non-union but his view was if it's not causing you any bother then why get yourself cut open? He also said if I am likely to fall again (I am), having a plate would transfer force into places that would be more damaging than a broken collarbone.

having a plate would transfer force into places that would be more damaging than a broken collarbone

Yes, I'm aware of that

Plates tend to be removed after 6 - 12 months, which mitigates that risk

Cool CT scan.

Ended up getting a surgery in the end. 3w after surgery and I can use the arm for most daily things, range of mobility close to full. Probably back on the bike in another 3w.

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Looks like I’m joining the club.

Hired a full sus at the train centre to see if I wanted to buy one, hit the last drop that k normally rode around and wiped out.

Currently awaiting a lift to hospital.

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Another new member here. Foot unclipped doing standing start sprint efforts at herne hill. Doctors said they would call me in a few days to chat options but was auto invited for an appointment next thursday. Just based on how it feels/looks I have no idea how this is supposed to heal naturally. I want surgery for nothing else but the idea that something is being done, mentally pretty strained at the idea of just waiting.

@M_V So has it made you want a full sus more or less? Hope you're well

Just based on how it feels/looks I have no idea how this is supposed to heal naturally.

Sorry to hear you've broken yours. Seen a few bails during starts at the velodrome but none have really amounted to anything.

I'm not really understanding this either, I keep feeling mine 'move' which canny be good can it?

I'm meant to get a 'virtual follow up' phone call today before 2pm so was going to ask about it.

Mine isn't very displaced so im hoping to avoid surgery but on the other hand, Ive read that with surgery you're back to using it within days so...?

I took a photo of the xray but it isnt very good. Break is right at the outside end.

So has it made you want a full sus more or less? Hope you're well

I really don't know! I suffer with shoulder and neck pain which I'm sure riding rigid mtb doesn't help, the full sus felt a lot less taxing but getting brave and wiping out was what I was afraid would happen!

Just back from my follow up appointment, a few more X-rays and the doctor said 100% surgery.

Still waiting to find out a date but post-op he said back on the turbo in two weeks, back on the road in 2 months. Guess that’s all mostly physio/confidence related with a bit of swinging either way.

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Oaft that’s well out of place innit?!

Mine wasn’t displaced when I got the initial X-ray but I’ve developed a fair old lump now so suspect it might have moved.

Photo I took of my original X-ray is shit so I’ve marked my fracture.

I’ve to wait until the 2nd of June for a follow up appointment and X-ray to see how it’s healing.

What pain killers you on?

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