How long were you out with a broken collar bone?

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How long were you out with a broken collar bone?

22 posts & 18 voices | Started 1 year ago by chickenslippers | Latest reply from supertacky

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chickenslippers - Member

I know that no 2 breaks are the same but I am just trying to get an idea of how long it will take to get back on the bike proper.

I broke my collar bone on the 17th of this month, the swelling and bruising is now going,fading. My doc told me to do nothing for 2 weeks in an effort to get the bones to start sticking back together. After this I am allowed to start moving my shoulder to increase my range of movement.

Hopefully this week I plan to get on my turbo trainer if my upper body allows, in an effort to maintain some level of fitness.

How long will it be before I can get back out on the mountain on my bike? will it be 6 weeks (normal time frame for broken bones) of can this be shorter/longer time frame as its a no load bearing bone.

Cheers Si

Posted 1 year ago #
bol - Member

About 12 weeks. Mine was left to heal naturally, but didn't for a while. Most people are fixed sooner.

Posted 1 year ago #
DT78 - Member

If you look through my post history there are some threads I started around Sept. A chap was recommending to go a see a specialist who zaps collarbones with magic magnets to make it heal quicker, surprisingly there are quite a few people who have tried it and says it makes a big difference. I'll give it a go if there is a next time.

As for me, healed naturally, was a pretty nasty break but reasonably well aligned(in several shards). Was off work 3 months, back on the bike carefully in 4, big off on icy commute after 5 and didn't re-break so it's solid now.

Arm is still weak though. Need to do more swimming...

Posted 1 year ago #
Andyhilton - Member

My mate broke his on the track last year. He was back on his bike after 3 weeks. I fractured mine years ago and it was about 6 weeks so...

Posted 1 year ago #
TurnerGuy - Member

Been 6 months now - about to venture out next weekend on the towpaths

Made a mess of mine though - needed a hooked plate and there was lots of mushy bone - still not grown back dense enough plus the screw holes have to fill in

Just trying to cheer you up...

Posted 1 year ago #
rewski - Member

As TurnerGuy - I displaced mine quite badly so needed a plate and hook too, on and off it took 6 months, it's still healing and the plate is out now, don't rush it.

Posted 1 year ago #
chickenslippers - Member

Holy smokes, I knew it depended on the type of break but there is some really scary long recovery times there.

I suddenly feel sick.

Hopefully Follow me will arrive tommorrow and I have just had an email saying The Collective has been dispatched. At least I can watch them.

Thanks for the replies,

cheers, Si

Posted 1 year ago #
TurnerGuy - Member

Some people swear by Camfrey tea, otherwise known as knitbone - but it can also cause liver damage.

I just drank lots of Horlicks - a mug is 100% of your rda of vit D !

Posted 1 year ago #
stratobiker - Member

chickenslippers - fret not dude. I've done both collar bones, and both times been back on the bike/turbo within three weeks and back racing in 6 weeks. Plus....the last time i did it I broke it into three bits, and I'm over 50 years young.

Assuming you are a natural healthy sort of bloke, collar bones heal well with no intervention. Just do as your doc' says and rest it well for the first two weeks.

Bon courage,
SB

Posted 1 year ago #
Pooley - Member

Ok then, not collar bone exactly, but I separated, and broke my acromium clavicula, turbo trainer one week later, road bike (taking it really steady) after a month, MTB after two months. Took ages before I had any confidence to try anything remotely techy or fast tho'. That for me was the big stopper. Took two years before I could comfortably sleep on it!

Posted 1 year ago #
Lesanita2 - Member

6 weeks for me for light riding. 9 before I could push it. 12 weeks fully recovered.

Use the time to sort that photo collection, or flog off your old tat etc. You'll not get another chance.

Posted 1 year ago #
chickenslippers - Member

TurnerGuy, just ordered some Horlicks to come with tomorrow's Tesco order.

SB, thats the kind of reply I was hoping for.

Thanks all,

cheers, Si

Posted 1 year ago #
Johnny Panic - Member

Reasonably straightforward break which healed well with slight displacement. Knitted together in about a week (couldn't feel the ends grating together anymore) but mentally didn't feel like riding again for about 8 weeks although I was capable. I also did several ribs though, which took longer and hurt more.

Posted 1 year ago #
steveh - Member

I'm the man who was recommending the magic bone zapping man, he's poo hot. http://www.physioclinic.net
I've broken my left one twice and right once (8 years ago for the right). I broke my left one last july in to 4pieces and had the option to plate or leave it to try and heal. I went and saw the guy above a week after doing it, was on the turbo the next day and the road bike less than 3 weeks after the break. MTB was 4weeks gently and by 6 weeks I was back on it properly.
I did my left one again 2 weeks ago. I was on the tubro after 6 days (would've been sooner but didn't have it) and on the road on my hack mtb 9 days after. It's 2weeks and a day now and I'm just home from an evening time trial. Can't mtb yet as the muscles are still recovering but road bike is now fine. I went to see the guy above again 36hours after doing it.
What he does sounds like a load of rubbish (did to me the first time anyway) but I'm sure it works hence he was the first call I made when I got home from A&E this time. I also know 5 other folks who've been with broken collar bones and all had very good outcomes, quick healing and comments on how well/fast it had healed from their doctors. It costs about £200 for the treatment depending on exactly what you need in terms of braces etc. Best bike related money I ever spent. Can you tell I like it?

Posted 1 year ago #
NikNak7890 - Member

2 years and 3 operations

Posted 1 year ago #
2wheels1guy - Member

Off work for 2 months.
Off bike for 4 months.
Nasty break, left to heal naturally.

Posted 1 year ago #
Eyepic - Member

Sorry about this
Broke collar bone and shoulder blade...
Off work two days (came back part time for 3 weeks).
Back on the bike after 6 weeks ... fully operational after 10 weeks.
Now 3 years on can still feel it but only when I try.

Posted 1 year ago #
huws - Member

Broken collar bone and 3 broken ribs.
2 weeks off work feeling all fizzy from the massive amounts of tramadol i was munching down. 2 months until i was back on he roads and 4 months until I was back in the woods (after an operation to shave some excess bone off). One ruined summer except for the feeling fizzy bit which was great fun

Posted 1 year ago #
bigjim - Member

I had union confirmed by x-ray at 6-7 weeks I think? Was months before back on the bike though , I got a frozen shoulder which just happens to some people, and could barely move it for months.

I can't carry a rucksack for long and cold weather still kills it one year on.

Try and keep little movements going when you can and are allowed to but don't do too much movement so you don't get union, that sounded like a long and painful path. Push for a physio referral asap. Get some dihydrocodeine, its grrrrreat.

Posted 1 year ago #
SaxonRider - Member

I shattered mine almost one year ago now. I had surgery and a titanium plate screwed in to fix it, and it was autumn before I could lay on my side in bed, and Christmas before I had any feeling in my shoulder and chest (exterior).

I now ride regularly to work, but have yet to go back out on the trails - though this has far more to do with the fact that the healing process also meant that I put on a full stone of weight, and now need to get fit enough to last out there.

Posted 1 year ago #
chickenslippers - Member

I couldn't resist it. I did an hour on the turbo today. I raised the front wheel by about 8 inches in an effort to reduce the tendency to make me lean forward, I could have adjusted the seat angle but this was a quick fix.
I felt great!!
Will just have to see what tomorrow brings on the pain front, I did try and keep my shoulder movements down to a minimum.

Posted 1 year ago #
supertacky - Member

6 weeks street riding. 12 until I got back to DH.

Posted 1 year ago #

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