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Got an appointment Tuesday anyway so at this point I think I'll be keen for plating.
Got an appointment Tuesday anyway so at this point I think I'll be keen for plating.
You might have to really push for it, be prepared to battle your corner. I argued that I didn't want to take the risk of a malformed bone that would limit my range of motion and in turn affect my ability to ride. Obviously the doc would rather avoid surgery as it can bring with it complications.
Just been back to fracture clinic this morning. The doctor said it will heal fine, I pointed out that I ride bikes and need it to heal properly and that there will be more crashes once I'm back on the bike. He then referred me to a shoulder specialist.
The specialist asks what I do, I explain again, turns out he fixed Dan Atherton's shoulder last year. He says the bone will heal fine but the biomechanics of my shoulder will be ****ed. So advises surgery. So Thursday I will have a plate in me.
He was great, plenty of time to answer my questions and explain pros/cons etc, very happy with it. He also suggested we remove the plate after 6 months, before the season starts and I start riding big stuff again. Apparently a crash with a plate in could be disastrous
Apparently a crash with a plate in could be disastrous
Pretty much the same way my conversation went. My subsequent big crash with the plate in wasn't so bad. It ripped out the plate/screws and broke at the end of the plate. Was a bit of a mess but the doc managed to put it back together. I was doing fine until a tiny crash at FoD in Aprils mini-enduro in which I got an impact fracture of my Greater Tuberosity, that's caused me nothing but grief since!
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You can see the original screw holes.
All those who broke their collarbones recently, those of you who had ops how are you healing up?
Not exactly recent (2 years now) but I had mine plated four days after breaking it.
I worked hard ([i]very[/i] hard) on physio, strength exercises etc and still do, but other than having to change my bike-carrying style for CX slightly I've had few lingering effects.
I'd certainly have it done again if you put me back in the same position although to be fair, despite me having a spiel all worked out as I wanted it plating, the consultant took one look at it before opting for surgery anyway.
Not really helpful to many as I believe mine is an outlying case, (think the Doc said around 6% of cases end up like mine).
Broke mine on a night ride in February, no surgery. Had it in a sling and went to see a private sports physio 3 days after and every week until mid-august.
I have ended up with a stable fibrous non-union which basically means the break is held together with fibrous tissue. My most recent x-rays look like a fresh break with the ends almost in contact.
Had a nightmare with Docs recommending keeping it immobilised for a further 6 weeks (beyond the 12 weeks it was in a sling) until I got the Head of Ortho involved and she basically told the junior he was talking bollox right infront of the wife and I.!!
It's now 10 months down the line, and apart from still not being able to lie on that side all night and a little stiffness when reaching straight up it's as good as it was, which is weird cause it's still, you know, broken.!!
Doc said as long as it remains stable the only difference I should have is that if I fall on it again, instead of it breaking, I'll just tear all the fibres and it will likely heal properly next time.!
I do have a pointy lump half way along where the top bit of bone is resting on the bottom bit but it doesn't bother me unless carrying a heavy rucksac, oh and the wife complains sometimes that it's poking her when she rests her head on my shoulder.!! 😀
#EDIT
I would absolutely recommend getting to a quality sports physio ASAP. She had me taking mine out of the sling for passive mobility exercise everyday from the first week and I'm certain it made a huge difference. The physio was run by a guy who had broken his collarbone 4 times playing rugby, the most recent was into 4 pieces.!!
I had my plated in 2012 still got it in and it's doing fine. There is still a slight numbness in the area. But in general feels fine, went to a private physio after the op who got me up to full strength pretty quickly. I don't notice much if any reduction in mobility. Very happy with the outcome.