[Closed] Collarbone advice....

You dont want surgery if you can avoid it, i have done both of mine and both have been treated, in their words "conservativley", mine were at the shoulder end though but both healed within 6 weeks no problems.

Broke mine skiing and was worried as I was going to Whistler 12 weeks afterwards. Mine was really displaced (still is) bit still healed no problem, the body is amazing.

I broke mine in France and they gave me a figure 8 support and it healed OK still have it just in case 🙂

Bazzer

As tragically says surgery is best avoided.
What I don't understand is why the figure of eight is "out of date" I had a figure of eight when I broke my collarbone decades ago and it healed well. I believe the figure of eight is still used as a first choice in many places and it would seem to me to give better fixation. Presumably there is a reason why it is not used now but I would be looking for a better explanation than "its out of date"

i shall do a bit of looking round the bmj papers for a reason for you

Broken wrist, broken collar bone - ever thought of calming it down a bit? Maybe ride a bit slower or don't do those big jumps.

Broken wrist, broken collar bone - ever thought of calming it down a bit? Maybe ride a bit slower or don't do those big jumps

Has my wife got a stw login?! - But you are right, both have been when I tried progressing to bigger doubles, wheels on the ground from now on, it's not worth it tbh. Anyone want to buy a dmr sidekick??

On the figure of 8, he also said they were much more uncomfortable than a sling, but I'm forever fiddling with the sling and just can't get it comfortable or immobilise the shoulder

Avoid surgery unless absolutely necessary. I say this after going under the knife last November and not riding again until April - a far longer healing period than the original break.

While working as a lifeguard and then a bike guide (and being first aid trained to varying degrees for nearly 20 years), it seems that things like 'figures of 8' go round like fashions - no doubt someone next year will actually discover that it works really well on a certain break and it'll become the support method of choice again. I'd say that if you find it more comfortable, use it.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Well a quick read suggests that there is research and evidence based practice suggests a simple sling is best.

Figure of eight causes more pain and skin issues sometimes with no improvement in coutcomes

Treatment of clavicular fractures: Figure-of-elght bandage versus a slmple sling

1987, Vol. 58, No. 1 , Pages 71-74

* PDF (261 KB)
* PDF Plus (153 KB)
* Reprints
* Permissions

Kjeld Andersen1†, Per Østergaard Jensen1 and Jorgen Lauritzen1

1Department of Orthopedics, Aarhus Amtssygehus, Aarhus, Denmark
†Correspondence: Kjeld Andersen, Tage-Hansensgade 23, I.th., DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark

Seventy-nine out-patients with midclavicular fractures were included in a prospective, randomized trial comparing treatment with a figure-of-eight bandage and a simple sling. Sixty-one patients completed the study and were reevaluated clinically and radiographically after 3 months.

We found that treatment with a simple sling caused less discomfort and perhaps fewer complications than with the figure-of-eight bandage. The functional and cosmetic results of the two methods of treatment were identical and alignment of the healed fractures was unchanged from the initial displacement.

See if you can get an Ultrasling from somewhere they are quite dear but really good.

If you want to try a figure of eight then there is no harm is asking for one when you return to fracture clinic.

Figure-of-eight was better for me. It's good to have some use of the arm. It also has the advantage of not needing to take your arm out of the sling to move it around every now and then.

I have a z-shaped fracture (one small piece sitting diagonally between the other two) and it's been over 3 months. I can do most stuff but it feels like it can give way and break if I try to lift anything too heavy.

I was originally meant to have surgery but then got a second opinion. It doesn't hurt but it's far from stable. I've spoken to 7 different surgeons and they all saw the same x-rays. Three said they'd operate and the other 4 were reluctant.

I would rather have had surgery from the off but I guess every case is different.

Hope all goes well.

Supinerider - that's basically what I had.

[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/pimpmasterjazz/352699613/ ]http://www.flickr.com/photos/pimpmasterjazz/352699613/
[/url]

After three years I decided to get it done. Although it wasn't uncomfortable, it was causing issues in my shoulder and back because of the way it had healed. It feels more stable now, but everything in there is still far from perfect.

However, by this point I considered it necessary. Should I have had it done immediately? No, I don't think I should. Although I would have liked to have got it sorted out when, after six weeks, it was obvious that it wasn't healing brilliantly.

That looks worse than mine!

Should have got some pics of my xray. It does actually look quite like a butterfly, can feel lots of sharp little splinters in there.

Think I'll order a figure of 8 and give it a go

Think I'll order a figure of 8 and give it a go

Surgeons are surgeons for a reason you know, they will see hundreds of fractured collarbones every year and know what works and what does not work, i would be careful of going against advice, you might make it worse which is not what you want to be doing.......

I've broken both of mine in roughly the same way, the z shape mentioned above (first one into 3 pieces, second into 4). The second time was only a few months ago and I had the choice of surgery or not as it was pretty borderline. I decided against it due to the risk of complications (lots of nerves, tendons etc run over the shoulder and are easy to damage).

I went to see these guys www.physioclinic.net and had 2 sessions with them in 1 day. They changed my sling for a figure 8 support which gives a much better posture and allows some use of the hand. I had the treatments from them 5 days after i did it. 2 weeks after that i was riding the road bike happily with no problems (pulling up hard on the bars was a little sore but that's it) and another week on I was back riding xc, one further week and I spent 3 days riding in Scotland back at normal speeds.

There was a lot of displacement in mine vertically but it all healed well and causes no problems now. It's hard to prove if the stuff the guys at the physio clinic did really helped but I'll definitely go back next time i break something. They are used by lots of motorbike and cross racers. Straight after the treatment I could get my arm to level with the shoulder and pain was decreased.

If you'd like to know anything else drop me an email (in profile).

Do you live near Winnersh train station? Just asking as the GF's parents neighbour(ish) has just done his collarbone at Swinely riding an apparently "new bit" as he described it. Where's this new bit!

tinas - nope busted it in LW on my regular loop

steve - sent you a mail

I did both wrists and left clavicle on 17th july. operated to plate shoulder and wrist the following friday.

basically the bone is in 2 pieces with a gap in the middle and the docs have advised that it'll be 6-12months 🙁

[img] [/img]

to say i'm mildy peeved is an understatement although there has been so little loss of mobility i'm really pelased.

spose the best thing is lots of rest, calcium and vitamin D and don't pushh too hard so as to knock back your recovery.

I really, really would get to see someone who knows about them and is a specialist sports orthopedic person. I used Proffessor Christer Rolf (Google him)

[url= http://www.sheffield-lightingtheflame.com/EventsAndTrainingCamps/KnowledgeBase/SportMedicine/ ]http://www.sheffield-lightingtheflame.com/EventsAndTrainingCamps/KnowledgeBase/SportMedicine/[/url]

I'm sure he would speak to you on the phone and recomend someone in your area.

[url= http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/very-long-post-make-a-drink-pull-up-a-chair-and-enjoy-half-a-transalp ]http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/very-long-post-make-a-drink-pull-up-a-chair-and-enjoy-half-a-transalp[/url]

Chris

I did mine almost exactly 3 years ago. Some ribs too. The ribs were worse. Just had the standard sling and it's healed OK.

Swelling has gone down, and pain is less but I have a pretty big lump exactly where a rucksack strap would be

I'm having real trouble keeping my shoulder in the right place even with a sling. When I am lying down it's (relatively) comfortable and feels almost normal with no protrusion

I broke mine 3 weeks ago and it is not healing so i am in for surgury tomorrow.

My consultant recommended not to operate initially as he said that it was better to let it heal itself. However X-Ray on Friday showed no change.

So under the knife in the morning for some bone grafting / fixing. Will let you know how it goes

DT78 it really depends how slight the displacement is, if the gap is too big you'll end up with a lumpy joinor a possible drop shoulder, I had quite a nasty displaced clavicle 12 weeks ago, I had a plate fitted which will be removed in 6 months, I was back on the bike 8 weeks after surgery, still stiff and painful but my shoulder is straight with no lumps. All I need to do now is fix my fracture scaphoid.

I did mine back in July. Properly snapped the bone in two and a level 2 ACL separation to boot. I spent about 4 weeks in a sling all in all, and a lot of the time out of my tree on codeine-based painkillers. Two weeks after the break I was riding on the road (albeit uncomfortably) and within 6 weeks pretty much back to normal. The specialist only recommended surgery as an aesthetic thing. I prefer the gnar of half my collarbone sticking up through the skin to be honest.

Thanks for all your comments

I've ordered a figure of 8, prob just wear it bed as last night I attempted to roll over twice to much pain.

I'm planning on exercise bike in the gym next week as I'm off work, not planning on being back on the bike properly until after the next consultation in 4 weeks for hopefully the all clear - don't want to risk complications

rewski - my wrist injury is a scaphoid from last march, its healed but slightly twisted, had an arthogram about 2 months ago and it shows there has also been some ligament shearing from the capsule - hope yours heals better than mine did - I have a followup to discuss surgery next week. They might be surprised when I turn up in a sling....

Some ribs too. The ribs were worse

Yep the same, I think the camelbak buckle rammed in between 2, might just be badly bruized. Sneezing or coughing is absolute agony

If you are going to use a figure of eight please get a pro to fit it properly. You need the right amount of tension on it.

DT78 - re: scaphoid, had to cancel the wrist appointment due to the same reason. Again, been told by others and my consultant to avoid surgery as it requires a skin graft from the hip and a screw to keep the bone joined, not a great success rate, poor blood supply, seriously thinking about putting up with the pain, I also hear steroid injections could be needed. Will I ever learn.

Good luck.

My collarbones are both completely different shapes. People insist I must've broken it, but I haven't!

My neck tendons are also different on both sides.

[img] [/img]

I did mine 18 months ago. Was very nearly a compound fracture. I got surgery but only as part of a research project comparing the healing differences of high displacement mid shaft fractures between surgical and conservative treatment regimes. It was a 50/50 pot luck thing, they were convinced it would have healed fine without the plate in place... I wasn't convinced and would have gone private if I hadn't drawn the surgery! As it turns out I was back on my bike within six weeks... so was definitely the best option for me.

[img] [/img]

That bottom shot is almost identical to my clavicle now.

Snap - excuse the pun. Plate being removed January, what joy.

If anybody is still interested in this thread I said that I would feed back on my surgery for the broken collar bone. Op went fine I had a plate fitted with 6 screws that from what I saw of the x-ray was similar to the one shown above.

I did ask for a copy of the x-ray but they would not give it to me....

The consultant said I also had bone grafted (re constituted from dead people I think!)

I am in a sling and will be for another 3 weeks undergoung mild Physio. Removed the dressing yesterday and have an incision of about 6 inches long that has heald nicely. There is a lump on the front of the shoulder now that feels strange. The consultant said that this was due to the plate and that I can elect to have this removed at a later date if this proves to be a problem.

I was told that I should be able to drive 6-8 weeks post op and MTB no sooner than 12 weeks post op.

Hope your's is healing up all ok dst always interesting to hear others experiences.

I saw the consultant a couple of days ago and had another round of xrays, this time one was done at an angle and I was shocked to see that the bone was still in about 5 different bits 🙁

I was absolutley gutted as the pain had got massively better which I'd assumed meant it was fixing. The bit of bone shard that is sticking out has rounded off and started to smooth into one big lump

Consultant showed me there we early signs of healing but signed me off work for another 4 weeks till the 16th when I've got another round of xrays. That'll be the 9 week mark, apparently if its not fixed then it will be surgery for me too.

I asked for a copy of the xray and was told it would cost me £35! I'll just try and pretend I'm texting on my phone next time and get a pic 🙂

Oh - I tried the figure of 8, really uncomfortable for me as it went right over the bit that was broken, so stuck with a sling in the end. It's getting a bit smelly now!

[img] http://www.flickr.com/photos/54802563@N08/5115187757/ ][img] http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/5115187757_2e1c577b80.jp g" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/54802563@N08/5115187757/ ][img] http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/5115187757_2e1c577b80.jp g"/> [/img][/url][/img]

Done mine 6 weks ago now, doc says conservative treatment for now, i'm going back to see him next week for a final decision regarding surgery or not.
I'm finding that i'm still in alot of pain but mainly around my shoulder joint & down my arm.
Anyway, being off the bike is torture!

ps Took picture of the xray on the computer screen when the doc left the room!

pps, why is the [img]http:// [/img] still showing up?

Re the figure of 8 thing. Simple crosshair taping on the back if done properly is just as effective and doesnt have the skin or pressure related pain issues.

I broke my collar bone two weeks ago when I got back from A&E I searched collar bones on here and read this and the other threads on collar bones.

Anyway someone said the specialist physio in Ipswich was very good… and he certainly is!!

I had two seasons being zapped by this magnets and lasers…. it has worked a treat.

I would defo go to him again, worth the trip if you are relatively close by….although may be even worth the trip if you are further afield… he has motor bike racers from Poland coming over to see him.

Thanks to the chap who recommended him.

Saw the doc again taday, it's been 8 weeks now.
I'm still in a lot of pain and am unable to work or excersize.
My second xray looked much the same as my first one above.
I've noticed my shoulder is shorter than the other one so I'm a bit concerned about future problems with back pain etc due to asymmetry.
They said they'd only operate if the skin is broken.
Feeling a bit down about it all really, the doc offered me the op at the time, wish i'd taken him up on that & have it fixed by now.

Mine looked like the above, should severely rotated, was told i'd have 'a reasonable degree of movement' in my arm / shoulder once the collarbone had set and they (NHS) would only operate in 9 - 12 months if there was a case of non-union other wise reduced movement in one dominant arm was fine.

Fortunately i'd taken out bupa heath car 2months prior...

Well - little update, had my 3 month xray/checkup today. Saw a different consultant which made me panic as I thought it was a surgeon and they were going to tell me it's buggered.

But no, this guy was almost the polar opposite of the other consultant. The other chap had been telling me no movement, keep it in a sling etc... this consultant asked me why I was still wearing a sling after 3 months (your colleague told me too..). And he actually used the phrase 'it's not that I don't believe you or calling you a wimp' when I told him it still hurt and made odd clicking/clunking occassionally.

Anyways, he told me I didn't need any physio either - just rehab by running, cycling and swimming and that within 8 weeks my shoulder should be back to full strength. He also booked me in for a CT scan just to be sure about the clunking, but he said it was just a precaution. So effectively he told me to MTFU....

Went out for my first light offroad ride in 3 months, a short 10miler, was ok, was surprisingly bricking it absolutely paranoid about falling on it again.

Hope others who posted on this thread are all healed up ok now.

Well I was back in the saddle after 3 months and heading into hospital in the middle of jan for more X-rays to see when the plates can come out. Shoulder is still giving me s**t and cant wait for some more surgery to get rid of the thing. Maybe a slight overreaction but it's been very uncomfortable as has my wrist.

Getting problems with the ligaments in my thumb around the plate. All in all not a pleasant time but i'm keeping my chin up!!

Ro5ey you're welcome for the tip. It was a 4 hour trip each way for me and i'd do it again in a heartbeat. I was told to use it and given a figure 8 brace and am convinced it helped my healing massively.

A friends husband went a few weeks ago after hearing of what I'd done. HE went before his first fracture clinic appointment (1 week from break) and they were amazed at how much movement he had and how it was healing already.

steveh - if I have a next time (hoepfully not) I'll try them out too, I just couldn't afford it this time around. I can't quite get my head around how magnets stitch bones back together quickly but there appears to be enough positive experiences to warrant taking a punt on it.

So, done mine mid-September.
Sling for 3 weeks.
Off work for 8 weeks.
"light" work duties for further 6 weeks.
After 3 months, doc said it's healing, but too slowly.
More x-rays in Jan.
Still not been on my bike
The most difficult, painful injury i've ever had.

The theory is as follows....
Bones are all slightly bent ins some way such that during use they flex/bend. This bending introduces and electrical current in the bone. So by the size of this electric current the body knows how hard you've been working your bones and can thus decide how much work they need to keep them healthy. If you are lazy and do nothing currents are very low so very little repair work is done. Conversely lots of exercise means lots of current and more work is done.
By attaching a pair of electro magnets either side of the collar bone a magnetic field is created across the body which in turn creates a large electrical field in the bone. The electrical current produced is much larger than those normally produced which tells the body that something is very wrong and thus huge amounts of repair work is carried out.
There haven't been a huge amount of studies on this treatment but those there have been show a 4-5 times increase in the amount of cells produced in the damaged area compared to normal.

I fractured my left collarbone on 5th Sept. In a (very good) sling for 7 weeks, off work for 3 and a half weeks. After week 7 the healing had progressed so that the jarring sensation of bone moving had gone away. Consultant was happy with the healing up to that point.

Week 9 I got it assessed by a physio, no ligament damage, no restriction in movement, all good news.

I was back on the road bike and running at the end of the eighth week, have been mountain biking twice though has been due to lack of free weekends and bad weather. Already had my first wipe out on the mountain bike so I'm over that mental hurdle.

So looks like recovery has been a good one, thankfully.

Thought I would udate on mine.

Had it plated / pinned end of September. Was riding again by Christmas (IRC) but like DT78 was riding like a real sissy and paranoid about falling off.

My most recent x-ray shows bone growth which is good and I now have to go back in August for another X-ray and that will hopefully be the final one.

The jury is out as to whether I will have to have the plate out. i was told that this was dependent on how uncofortable I felt with it. At the moment it seems OK.

I still have a level of 'stiffness' but appear to have most of the movement. I went to Pysio sessions for about 6 weeks and carried on with the excercizes at home.

All of my work was undertaken on the NHS in Peterborough. I must say that I have been happy with the treatment i have received.

The only thing I still find strange is that I have lost all of the feeling on the skin on my shoulder. However I may be able to develop a good party trick - stubbing out a cigarette on my shoulder without flinching!