Clavicle Error - Broken Collarbone

except arm movement is very painful with a sensation like bone rubbing/clicking.
Bone crepitus. It's the fracture ends moving against each other. It's a bit grim.

I'm assuming you have been told already, but you want to avoid lifting your arm above shoulder height like the plague.

TM re-fractured his plated clavicle by lifting a remote control.

my recovery/recovery time and the way forward than I was before posting :(

I guess I just have to resign myself that riding might be as good one day, but upper body strength might not be for a longer time or maybe ever?
Depending on your age. In 3 months, it's a good bet that you will have a pretty good range of movement (assuming you get it plated), but full strength could be from 6 months to 12 months.

I was swimming and doing deadlifts after 3 months (with my Orthopod's blessing), but it took a further 3 months until I was back at the same level.

Having the plate removed is an in-and-out job by the way, and recovery is however long it takes the operation wound to heal. Even the nerve damage is transitory.

...i was told virtually nothing before leaving hospital, but figured out i couldn't lift my arm pretty quickly all by myself!

I was also told nothing in a+e, given an appointment in ortho for the following working day where they asked why I'd had breakfast because they were going to put a plate in! Was a bit of a shock, but am very happy with the two ops. More or less fine now.

I guess I'll have to see how things go at the clinic Thursday and in the mean time just stare at my freshly assembled new (old) bike and try forget about being active for the time being!

An update that might be helpful to those with a clavicle fracture or those yet to have one.

I've had two follow-up hospital visits since the accident 10 days ago. The second was to discuss joining a trial that hopes to determine the best treatment for displaced fractures, by being randomly assigned to one of two groups - one with surgery, one without. The study will run for 9 months.

If I don't to join the trial, then I am free to op for surgery or proceed without it. I must decide this weekend as surgery is scheduled for Tuesday (12 days post the accident). Medical advice (from my consultant) is that it is impossible to determine which treatment is best - although he confessed that another medic may have a different opion, but 10-15% of fractures like mine don't heal well and may need surgery any way.

My shoulder is still very uncomfortable, I have a painful but modest lump on my shoulder and a range movement possible without any pain killers during periods out of my sling. I'm almost used to sleeping on back, which previously I couldn't do, but propped up with pillows it's not so awful. But I have a nagging doubt it isn't going to get better on it's own and googling the topic seems to suggest having a metal plate inserted despite the dangers/complications might be best?

BTW. I've ridden a bike for a stiff 40mins at the gym 3 times (no hands). It was ok and gave me a boost without doing any harm it seemed.

The sad truth is, they actually don't know which option is better for some fractures. Myself and middleofnowhere are on a clinical trial where you are picked at random to have a displaced fracture (overlapping bones) pinned. Both of us are non-operative participants. He's healed fine, mine still moves about under rotation. Maybe in 5 years time there will be a definitive answer, but for now the NHS only seem to pin the ones that will obviously lead to problems later.

Hope you heal well and definitely rest it as much as possible.

An update that might be helpful to those with a clavicle fracture or those yet to have one.

I've had two follow-up hospital visits since the accident 10 days ago. The second was to discuss joining a trial that hopes to determine the best treatment for displaced fractures, by being randomly assigned to one of two groups - one with surgery, one without. The study will run for 9 months.

If I don't to join the trial, then I am free to op for surgery or proceed without it. I must decide this weekend as surgery is scheduled for Tuesday (12 days post the accident). Medical advice (from my consultant) is that it is impossible to determine which treatment is best - although he confessed that another medic may have a different opion, but 10-15% of fractures like mine don't heal well and may need surgery any way.

Are they still doing that? This is at the Free yeah?

That was from 2009 by the way.

I'm being treated at the Free, but the trial is running at 20 hospitals. I'll be about number 265 of 300 needed if I op in. Does make decision easier!

There were posters up in the consulting rooms I was in at King's about the trial, but it wasn't offered to me. Maybe because mine was never going to heal on its own.

The op was carried out Friday afternoon. I have to say my experience at the Royal Free was a good one - all the staff were terrific, even the food was good!

Bar a couple of small pre & post op issues, everything went smoothly and I am glad it has been done. This op isn't something to be taken lighly, but it was I think worth it. The xray showed a much tidier, nicely straigtened clavicle, albeit with a lot of pain and significant numbness around the 20 or so metal stitches.

There's still a 10% chance of non union, so I won't be rushing things hoping that will ensure things progress well. I won't be sitting on a trainer before having the stitches out, because getting sweaty under the dressing much increases the chance of infection - not that i feel like it any way.

The physio said I might be back riding sooner I think - although the surgeon wasn't so sure. Skiing however looks to be cancelled in early Jan!

Can't believe they used staples, this is generally looked down upon by UK surgeons as a lazy European method...

Fractured my left clavicle nearly 3 weeks ago upon being hit by a 4x4. Last week's 2-week follow-up revealed slow progress. The fracture is too close to the centre of my body to operate, but there doesn't appear to be displacement. Wearing a sling at home and taking as few painkillers as possible.
Other injuries include broken jaw (now wired shut, liquid food only for 6 weeks), skull fracture and sprained left ankle. Hoping to gingerly get onto a turbo trainer in about 3 weeks, all being well. Was curious about the figure-8 brace, but tbh I don't think I need it.

Why going easy on painkillers? If in pain, take pain killers, that's what they are there for.

If you are a smoker, give up for the duration of the healing. That has been shown to slow the bone healing process significantly.

Ibuprofen has been shown to slow down bone repair.

Paracetemol/Codeine is fine.

Injuries sound grim Mr B, I broke my jaw clean away when I was younger, luckily they used screws and elastic bands to hold it together rather than solid wires.

Best sling for clavicle is the one that holds it to your chest firmly and loops around your back...

A Black Rainbow Project sling would be awesome but by the time he finished it, the fracture will healed up.

Why going easy on painkillers? If in pain, take pain killers, that's what they are there for.

The recommended painkiller for me here is Acetaminophen - an analgesic like Paracetamol.
It's not very kind to your liver or stomach, and taking it habitually (rather than when absolutely necessary) is something I'd never do. I can't take anything else at present due to other injuries.

That sounds like a hard crash Mr B... I imagine you need the painkillers with all the various injuries. I found i felt a lot better and was able to gauge my own strength better when i stopped taking them. Paracetamol seems to be the best... i was given dihydrocodeine after surgery on my ACJ dislocation and it makes you a bit of a mess. As soon as i stopped taking it i was able to return to normal work. Went back after 4 days which was a bit silly... rest up and start spinning when your feeling better. Its all about short rides to build up strength and confidence again.

Paracetamol did nothing for me whereas ibuprofen and codiene were good. Didn't know about ibuprofen inhibiting bone repair, but I only had to take it a handful of times.

For timescale reference, I've been back to commuting from today, 6 weeks since crash and 5 since surgery. Probably would have started commuting last week, felt okay, but bike wasn't ready.

Josh, I agree with you about gauging strength, etc. Not keen on masking everything.

Immediately after the crash I was on Morphine for 4 days in hospital, then 3 days of 'Hycet' (Hydrocordone Bitartrate) before weaning down to non-prescription stuff. I can't take Ibuprofen as it would thin my blood too much, and I suffered an intracranial haemmorhage. Neurosurgery follow-up later today, so we'll see.
I can't see myself getting on a bike again (outdoors) in 2013.

Good luck with surgery... just focus on the fact you will be on a bike again at some point as it sounds like it could have been much worse! If you can spin indoors your not missing much at the moment...

Mr B, I'm sorry, sounds like a rough accident. You have my sympathy.

I am roughly 11 days post op. Just had clips out. Surgery area/shoulder is a combo of numb, tingly & stiff, with some very painfully tight tendons in my neck over the break.

I'm paranoid I may have used or moved my arm/hand too much (even in the sling) but some simple tasks are impossible without both hands. No hefty lifting of course or riding even on a trainer yet. Nearly off meds except night time Tramadol as I find sleeping on my back difficult. First orthopedic checkup Friday.

Whatever you do, don't reach.

Ortho follow-up is tomorrow afternoon, nearly 4 weeks since the fracture.
Fracture is towards sternum, and doesn't cause me much pain in that area, but every time I've been for a walk outdoors I end up with some pretty heavy muscular ache around my rotator cuff. Adjusting my sling does little or nowt to relieve it.
Should I try (ie request) a figure-8 brace?

Mr B

I wouldn't know what to suggest, but I hope there's something they can offer that will make you more comfortable. Good luck.

I'm not due back at the hospital until the 27th for another checkup & the all important 6 week xray. Pondering some gentle swimming now that I'm sling free ish but can't find anyone to advise if that's ok so might have to stick to just the static bike a little longer and some situps!

Also trying to stretch my neck out a little. Have a tendon that is so taught my skin tents up & it feels like it might snap?

Hi I broke this 3 years ago, my avatar is the hosp X Ray of the broken bone! It did take about 3 months to be back to normal but it only hurts now when the summer finishes! Weird. Just take it easy until it heals fully