Clavicle Error - Broken Collarbone

I don't think anyone who doesn't cycle can understand how much one's mental health is affected and how strongly the pros outweigh the cons. (Although, the healthcare team I currently see do seem to appreciate this.) The number of friends who've suggested I 'lay off' or 'give up on cycling now' as if it was a dangerous rebellious fad or bad habit...:(

I've sustained far more domestic or running injuries in my time than cycling ones, as my knees can attest.

Is it normal for a clavicle fracture to still be visible after 3 months?

My latest x-ray shows some calcification but there's still an obvious break there.

No, it's not normal. Bone healing is a very variable thing, but clavicle fractures usually heal quickly, especially when surgery was not involved. What have your doctors said?

Of course, if you have a condition which affects bone density and bone minerals, that could just be a factor in slowing bone healing, but get good information from your doctors now. If the break is still obvious by 6 months, that would almost certainly indicate nonunion, which is permanent failure of bone healing. Even at 3 months, it's becoming a possibility.

#rep

Thanks B. I got this info in a letter, in which they also said simply "referred to physio, to come back in 4 months for final check-up, if felt necessary."

They reassured me in the first consultation that osteoporosis would not affect the mend - I can't see how it couldn't though :/

#cute!

They reassured me in the first consultation that osteoporosis would not affect the mend

Could be true for you. Variable. And nonunion can go on to heal, in the longer term - sometimes. But you need a permanent fracture like you need a hole in your head. Which I know all about...

Well that's just...fucksticks :(

You have just the one hole? Any leftover staples?

Ha - just came across this study - Return to Biking following Clavicle Fracture Fixation Does anyone follow the advice of their orthopaedic care team?

'Radiological union lags behind clinical union' is what they taught me. In other words, what you see on the X-rays lags behind what's happening with the fracture's healing.
This is because the union is fibrous material which gets calcified later.
I suspect it may take up to a year for mature bone to bridge the gap on X-ray. It is unlikely that the bone will reshape to its original form. This does happen with kids and after surgical repair.

Oh thanks - so it may not be as gloomy as my latest x-ray suggests? Maybe I should stop lifting/carrying heavy things for a while though...

Don't carry things if it's painful; otherwise carry on.

First few laps around the block yesterday.

Shoulder felt fine.

Physio tomorrow then I reckon might be back on the commute Friday (despite the howls of derision from work colleagues).

Excited.

I have a non union clavicle. I broke it over ten years ago and as far as I know it's still floating in there. It's a bit uncomfortable sometimes but really not a big problem. (And TBH the discomfort is almost certainly more due to 10+ hours a day on a computer than the break.)

3 weeks till surgery to remove my hook plate. 3 week of cycling then a dull period of public transport.
How long is the recommend period to get back cycling?

If I remember right I cycled to work the week after having mine out (on a Friday). It was pretty painful as the muscle around there was freshly bruised, so maybe I should have got the bus mon-weds. But by the end of the week it was bearable.

Finally getting my 5-hole hook plate removed on tuesday. It was black&deckered in in Feb. Love the NHS but they need to use computers for filing.

After many false promises I finally got back on the commute this morning.

Took it very easy and I have forgotten how intense it feels riding in heavy traffic.

Shoulder good, fitness awful.

Mentally it feels great to be back.

Good for you @Dantheman, still waiting for the wound to heal properly before I'm allowed back on. 9 days and counting.

Am 5 days post-op. Went to work yesterday and stepped off a train with a bigger drop than expected, resulting in MEGAPAIN. Now slightly paranoid I've ripped through my stitches but too scared to remove the dressing to check.

Just thought I'd share :)

Not being able to ride is really depressing.

Tricycle?

It has been suggested, but I don't have one handy. Also turning left with one arm in a sling sounds tricky.

Tandem?

I think I've managed to convince @6pt to tandem me into work on Monday. If he's in the office his excuse is the tandem doesn't fit in their bike parking space, so I am going to have to start a campaign to get more inclusive cycling parking there :|

Sorry to hear that, Rosie. I didn't know you'd crashed. Get better soon!