My Collar Bone

[bobb]

After smashing it clean in half on Sat, I went back to hospital today. The x-ray pic was pretty scary. They can't pin it as there is so much bruising. It fucking hurts. I have to go back in 3 weeks for another x-ray. In the mean time I have to anything that requires even slightest bit of strength with my left hand. I have now mastered typing two handed again by leaning forward and not moving my right arm at all. Just the fingers.

What are other collar bone breaking folks experience of this total pain in the arse injury? I think I will be watching an awful lot television/DVDs in the coming weeks!

[vorsprung]

I busted my collar bone in 2008, in Feburary

How I used a turbo to keep some fitness
My turbo training regime

Back on the bike
riding again

Don't do the K&SW 600 as your audax comeback ride
The whys and wherefores of Packing a ride

[bobb]

Cheers! So no ill effects now then?

[delthebike]

At least you get to keep both parts! 

GWS bobb. 

[Regulator]

I fractured my right clavicle, shattering the AC joint end into mutiple pieces, which meant having about ½ the clavicle removed.  I dislocated the AC joint itself as well and mashed the brachial plexus.  I also fractured my C7 vertebra and damaged the nerves in both sides of my neck.

It took 6 rounds of surgery, over three years, including plating and a modified Weaver-Dunn procedure to restore most of the movement and range in my right shoulder and arm.  I still have permanent nerve impairment and impaired range of motion.

Shoulder injuries are a complete pain in the arse (so to speak).  If it doesn't feel right, push to get referred to a shoulder specialist. 

[MSeries]

My thigh injury is a pain in the arse. I feel for you Bobb, well actually I feel my buttock, applying pressure makes the muscle hurt less.

[vorsprung]

Cheers! So no ill effects now then?

Two years on, I have an odd lump of bone on my collar bone now.  I can lift any weight that I could before.  I can ride long distances on the bike with no discomfort.  The docs say that it heals back stronger than it was before.
I am maybe a little tiny bit less flexible with stuff like reaching my left hand over my left shoulder to touch my right hand behind my back.

The lump of bone sometimes makes using a rucksack uncomfortable

Occasionally, when the weather changes I get a bit of an ache.  The collar bone seems to remember being broken.  But it never plays up in the cold or when tired.

Psychologically, I am a bit more cautious at taking corners at high speed or in the wet

Physically, I didn't feel that strong for riding a bike that whole year.  By 2009 I was on good form again

[Wobbly John]

Long walks via the pub is what I did when I broke mine. Explored all th local footpaths and got to know the area better.

After 20 years, the shattered ends of the bone that were nearly poking through the skin have rounded down to 'a bit of a lump. 


... It's not your 'drinking arm' is it? 

[bobb]

When it comes drinking I'm ambidextrous    Not that I plan to do any while I'm like this....

I have however just made a claim for ESA as I clearly can't work and the nice lady on the phone said my claim would almost certainly be successful. So cheers tax payers  

Edit: I've paid plenty of tax in my life, so I'm just getting back my own money!  

[Cyclops]

After 20 years, the shattered ends of the bone that were nearly poking through the skin have rounded down to 'a bit of a lump. 

+1

I did get a full range of movement back about a month after the fracture however any direct impact was a bit painful due to the sharp piece of bone. Unfortunately I broke my clavicle whilst in Holland on a rugby tour and due to my inability to understand Dutch had no idea why the doctor was climbing up behind me on a chair until he stuck his knee between my shoulder blades and yanked back on both my shoulders with all his might. When I regained consciousness with the help of some oxygen there was no way I was going to let him have another go as he'd failed to reduce the fracture properly the first time.

Mind you the combination of morphine and lager that evening was very nice

[Cudzoziemiec]

When I broke my collar bone they didn't notice until almost a week later when I pointed out to them the odd lump of bone in my shoulder. They plated it together and now I have to see about getting that plate taken out.

As for pain, it wasn't that bad. Ribs are much more painful! I can move it pretty much as before and pick up the same weights, but sudden movements cause a pain at the top of my arm where the metal projects too far and spikes my bone and muscle/tendon. Movement is only minimally limited.

Don't despair, it will heal!

[VeloYellow]

I have broken both collar bones (several years apart). Simple midshaft fractures accompanied by unexpectedly significant pain and incapacitation. Good physiotherapy starting about 3 weeks after the fracture will help regain mobility of the shoulder joint & turbo trainer helps to limit the loss of fitness. The end result for me was a tiny reduction in flexability in the shoulder & no discomfort at all riding the bike. Full recovery seemed to take for ever but in reality, I was reasonably functional after 2 months.

The only thing that I learnt from the first fracture was to let the medcos cut my cycling jersey off the next time!

GWS!!

[bobb]

As for pain, it wasn't that bad. Ribs are much more painful! I can move it pretty much as before and pick up the same weights, but sudden movements cause a pain at the top of my arm where the metal projects too far and spikes my bone and muscle/tendon. Movement is only minimally limited.

Don't despair, it will heal!

As for pain, I think it all depends on the break. I knew immediately my collar bone had gone. I was in agony and couldn't get up for the pain. It was ambulance time.

When I broke my wrist there wasn't much pain. It was only the next day at work when it swelled up to twice the size of the other that I knew a trip to A&E was required.

I have cracked a couple of ribs and it was pretty painful, but obviously nowhere near as much as a full break.

Edit: I tore my right pectoral muscle really badly once - that was pretty damn painful!

[Regulator]

Edit: I tore my right pectoral muscle really badly once - that was pretty damn painful!

You butch old queen... 


 

[Cudzoziemiec]

Bobb, it sounds as if your collar bone break is much worse than mine was. Ouch!

I should have said for the ribs it's pain in the medium term that's bad. I pushed my bike home a couple of miles with two broken ribs and a broken collar bone (and a fractured skull... ) without really feeling either. But the next day the ribs were bad, they respond to every movement, especially if you cough or laugh. Though you might be happy to do some laughing right now.

[bobb]

So, I go back to hospital to be x-rayed and stuff this afternoon. I'm kind of a bit nervous about it. I know there are only really two outcomes:

a. Yeah it's still shagged, but keep to existing with your arm strapped to your side and wanking with your left hand.

or

b. We're gunna have to bolt you up.

Dunno which is best really.....

[Regulator]

So, I go back to hospital to be x-rayed and stuff this afternoon. I'm kind of a bit nervous about it. I know there are only really two outcomes:

a. Yeah it's still shagged, but keep to existing with your arm strapped to your side and wanking with your left hand.

or

b. We're gunna have to bolt you up.

Dunno which is best really.....

Bolting is OK...

[spen666]

So, I go back to hospital to be x-rayed and stuff this afternoon. I'm kind of a bit nervous about it. I know there are only really two outcomes:

a. Yeah it's still shagged, but keep to existing with your arm strapped to your side and wanking with your left hand.

or

b. We're gunna have to bolt you up.

Dunno which is best really.....

Bolting is OK...

i'd have thought wanking was better

[Jacomus]

So, I go back to hospital to be x-rayed and stuff this afternoon. I'm kind of a bit nervous about it. I know there are only really two outcomes:

a. Yeah it's still shagged, but keep to existing with your arm strapped to your side and wanking with your left hand.

or

b. We're gunna have to bolt you up.

Dunno which is best really.....

Not my c-bone, but I have had a dislocated shoulder repaired by surgery.

It was completely done for - it would pop out if I sneezed hard.

Now, a few years after the op, I don't have full movement in a vertical plane and I still have to be careful with it, but it is as strong as it will ever be and I haven't had any problems since. It even survived me breaking the c-bone on the same shoulder.

[bobb]

Still fucked. Great. Another month before than can tell me it's just as fucked as before. I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself right now.....

[hellymedic]

Sounds miserable.
My personal choice would be to cut your losses and get it bolted if it's not better obviously healing next month.
Chin up. Don't allow yourself to suffer too long.

[nuttycyclist]

Still fucked. Great. Another month before than can tell me it's just as fucked as before. I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself right now.....

Go and have a wank then 

[rogerzilla]

Don't forget the Lemsip.

[Regulator]

Sounds miserable.
My personal choice would be to cut your losses and get it bolted if it's not better obviously healing next month.
Chin up. Don't allow yourself to suffer too long.

Yep!  +1.


I've still got my metalwork around here somewhere (a pressie from my surgeon)... I'll lend it to you if you like.   Just wash it before you give it back   

 

[bobb]

Still fucked. Great. Another month before than can tell me it's just as fucked as before. I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself right now.....

Go and have a wank then 

Cheers. Not hurting too much today, so I might just have a wank. I'll let you know how it goes