Broken Collarbone long term effects?
- Thread starter Howie66
- Start date
Ivan
Eats Squid
Obviously treat any medical advice you get off Farkin with a bit of scepticism but...
I have broken both Collarbones, one when I was 14 and the other when I was 27. They both took about 4 weeks untill I was back to functioning normally, and about 6 weeks untill I could lift heavy weights without feeling pressure in that area.
Long term effects could arise from the bone not healing straight, which can happen if you try and do too much too soon. Just let it heal.
Smoking ( and this includes pot) will slow down the healing significantly.
The only long term effect I suffer is some weird looking collarbones
I have broken both Collarbones, one when I was 14 and the other when I was 27. They both took about 4 weeks untill I was back to functioning normally, and about 6 weeks untill I could lift heavy weights without feeling pressure in that area.
Long term effects could arise from the bone not healing straight, which can happen if you try and do too much too soon. Just let it heal.
Smoking ( and this includes pot) will slow down the healing significantly.
The only long term effect I suffer is some weird looking collarbones
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Switch
huskier headed gent
I broke mine several years ago and was back working within three days, the joys of a family business. No heavy lifting though and after six weeks thought yeah it feels good and assumed it was okay so headed down to the Mountains for the ski season and spent heaps of time in the park. When I got back home I had received a copy of the second set of xrays that were taken just before I left and in the doctors words there was "no visible signs of healing"
Freaked me out abit but the shoulder felt good and I have had no ongoing dramas only problems with riding were psychological as it slowed me down on the bike at first. Only thing is now one shoulder is about an inch shorter than the other so my modeling days are over Hope yours heals up soon
Freaked me out abit but the shoulder felt good and I have had no ongoing dramas only problems with riding were psychological as it slowed me down on the bike at first. Only thing is now one shoulder is about an inch shorter than the other so my modeling days are over
Hope yours heals up soon
Moggio
Likes Bikes and Dirt
My father broke both his collar bones during WWII... they healed very badly as he was still forced to work heavy labour when they were healing as well as being on an almost non-existant diet. They healed with big lumps and certainly not straight.
Didn't stop him from digging ditches for the councils for years, working in coal mines and being a professional ballroom dancer (yeah I know odd). Never complained about them.
So basically this is to just say from this I would assume they aren't that touchy in their healing.
Didn't stop him from digging ditches for the councils for years, working in coal mines and being a professional ballroom dancer (yeah I know odd). Never complained about them.
So basically this is to just say from this I would assume they aren't that touchy in their healing.
3viltoast3r
Likes Bikes and Dirt
I broke mine 2 years ago. Took 4 weeks to heal (no heavy lifting.....or any lifting in the first week).
Mine still hurts on cold days.
I have shit flexibility in my shoulders.
I had to stop karate for 6 months........I could be a black belt now I dont really care although..Its overhyped; I can still beat up black belts most of the time though
I like riding because it wont hurt after extended periods of strenous activity.
It hurts if I slouch/have shit posture for extended periods of time........
Bloody hell all of this talk makes it hurt now...........Also my broken side is weaker than the other side......The good side actually hurts occaisonly from over-compensating.
Now im surfing again (heavy use of shoulders) its starting to make it much better.
Mine still hurts on cold days.
I have shit flexibility in my shoulders.
I had to stop karate for 6 months........I could be a black belt now
I dont really care although..Its overhyped; I can still beat up black belts most of the time though I like riding because it wont hurt after extended periods of strenous activity.
It hurts if I slouch/have shit posture for extended periods of time........
Bloody hell all of this talk makes it hurt now...........Also my broken side is weaker than the other side......The good side actually hurts occaisonly from over-compensating.
Now im surfing again (heavy use of shoulders) its starting to make it much better.
Howie66
Likes Dirt
I broke mine 2 years ago. Took 4 weeks to heal (no heavy lifting.....or any lifting in the first week).
Mine still hurts on cold days.
I have shit flexibility in my shoulders.
I had to stop karate for 6 months........I could be a black belt now
I like riding because it wont hurt after extended periods of strenous activity.
It hurts if I slouch/have shit posture for extended periods of time........
Bloody hell all of this talk makes it hurt now...........Also my broken side is weaker than the other side......The good side actually hurts occaisonly from over-compensating.
Now im surfing again (heavy use of shoulders) its starting to make it much better.
Yeah Ive heard that exact story over and over..
And yeah il get back into surfing when im right, as long as I can ride tho thats more important
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sawtell
The Great White Rooks Hunter
cousin broke his collar bone a year ago, and managed to do nerve damage, and was unable to control his fingers on his left hand (left collar bone).
a year later and he is just starting to drive a manual again, but he can not make a clenched fist with his left hand still, he also just learnt to hold an apple..
but obvioulsy thats a little different..
a year later and he is just starting to drive a manual again, but he can not make a clenched fist with his left hand still, he also just learnt to hold an apple..
but obvioulsy thats a little different..
nick_dales
Likes Bikes and Dirt
I broke mine 3 years ago and was in a sling for 3 months and no contact sport for 6 months, although i did a very good job in breaking it and i had a plate and screws put in. I had the plate and screws taken out 4 weeks ago and i can't ride for another 2 weeks
Wednesday
Likes Dirt
Alot will depend on the nature of the break and positioning.
I broke mine mid sternal which healed in 6-8 weeks no problems ever since. However i did the other side snowboarding in NZ more lateral to the shoulder and needed fixation, screws etc and has been a problem ever since.
My shoulder will often partially dislocate if it takes repeated big hits, the reverb of riding DH takes a toll after a few hours like being stabbed with a screwdriver. I cant wakeboard or ski anymore, ride mx, avoid the terrain parks in the snow and generally have to armour up and/or strap my shoulder for most riding now.
Just let it heal. Really heal....
Take a few extra weeks and take precautions when you ride in the future.
If you rush back to soon you will only pay for it like i have in the future and kick yourself for being to quick to start riding again.
You can always ride for many more years to come.
I broke mine mid sternal which healed in 6-8 weeks no problems ever since. However i did the other side snowboarding in NZ more lateral to the shoulder and needed fixation, screws etc and has been a problem ever since.
My shoulder will often partially dislocate if it takes repeated big hits, the reverb of riding DH takes a toll after a few hours like being stabbed with a screwdriver. I cant wakeboard or ski anymore, ride mx, avoid the terrain parks in the snow and generally have to armour up and/or strap my shoulder for most riding now.
Just let it heal. Really heal....
Take a few extra weeks and take precautions when you ride in the future.
If you rush back to soon you will only pay for it like i have in the future and kick yourself for being to quick to start riding again.
You can always ride for many more years to come.
Bretty.
Likes Bikes and Dirt
I broke my right collarbone about a year or so ago. Lasting effects would be it hurts after sleeping on my right side and I've got a lump where it broke, pops out kind of, rather freaky looking. Throwing and another that requires major force can leave a little bit of pain in that area, but I'm left-handed and it's nothing serious enough to worry about.
They heal pretty quick for a bone though, you should be alright again to lift weights and use it as you normally would in 8-ish weeks; trusting it's just a typical simple break that is.
They heal pretty quick for a bone though, you should be alright again to lift weights and use it as you normally would in 8-ish weeks; trusting it's just a typical simple break that is.
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Broken collar bone twice. Right hand side twice. The bone overheals, and in most case, if healed properly, won't break again (unless you shatter your shoulder. Second break was ~15mm from the previous. Like others said 6 weeks before heavy lifting, but 7 to play it safe.
Like most my shoulder has "dropped" and is lower than my left.
Second time I did it I tore muscles around my shoulder, terrible thing to do, don't try this at home.
This lead to a very stiff shoulder when it healed (muscles have never been streched and often heal shorter in length due to you sluching a little with a sling). This lead to me not being able to rotate my shoulder fully (as in fully I mean bowl offspin- so more than normal) for 3 months.
This also lead to me losing strength in the time I was in the sling, so I gymed it, focusing on my shoulder for 5 weeks after (which is hard as only small wieghs could be used otherwise it hurt, and large reps made it hurt as well).
The only other thing that I coped is a stiff elbow (once again, bowling was hard, need to almost hyper extend elbow) because of elevated position you hand is in creat an acute angle with your elbow blah blah blah. This was fixed within one week (while still in a sling) by stretching it once a day.
But that is being a little padanetic and seeing that 7 weeks after the break, I rode the oaks. I was farkin unfit too, bad move. Shoulder ached after that for acouple of days.
Like most my shoulder has "dropped" and is lower than my left.
Second time I did it I tore muscles around my shoulder, terrible thing to do, don't try this at home.
This lead to a very stiff shoulder when it healed (muscles have never been streched and often heal shorter in length due to you sluching a little with a sling). This lead to me not being able to rotate my shoulder fully (as in fully I mean bowl offspin- so more than normal) for 3 months.
This also lead to me losing strength in the time I was in the sling, so I gymed it, focusing on my shoulder for 5 weeks after (which is hard as only small wieghs could be used otherwise it hurt, and large reps made it hurt as well).
The only other thing that I coped is a stiff elbow (once again, bowling was hard, need to almost hyper extend elbow) because of elevated position you hand is in creat an acute angle with your elbow blah blah blah. This was fixed within one week (while still in a sling) by stretching it once a day.
But that is being a little padanetic and seeing that 7 weeks after the break, I rode the oaks. I was farkin unfit too, bad move. Shoulder ached after that for acouple of days.
sam705
Likes Dirt
I done something bad to mine a few years back now, doc said it wasn't broken and that i just auffered bad muscle damage. i reckon he was full of it, as a mate of mine snapped his and had full function out of his shoulder before i was anywhere close.
Around a year ago i came off my bike and landed on the same shoulder, this time reckon i only did muscle damage.
I now have a ball on the bone from whatever happened and a sagged left shoulder.
I am left handed (don't tease me!) and this hasn't stopped me from doing anything i would do normally. I still benchpress my maximum capability with no pain and continue to play footy. Doing rotations with my whole arm will make my collarbone click which i hate, but can't do much about it!
Around a year ago i came off my bike and landed on the same shoulder, this time reckon i only did muscle damage.
I now have a ball on the bone from whatever happened and a sagged left shoulder.
I am left handed (don't tease me!) and this hasn't stopped me from doing anything i would do normally. I still benchpress my maximum capability with no pain and continue to play footy. Doing rotations with my whole arm will make my collarbone click which i hate, but can't do much about it!
snowy92
Likes Dirt
I broke my left one playing rugby last year, the guy wrapped my arms up and put me down right on the tip of my shoulder, the ref said, while I was lying there, that it was nearly coming out the skin. That made me feel a lot better
But apart from the bone sticking out a bit where the bone has healed over-lapping, I haven't had any problems with it since, just a few occasions doing some heavy lifting at work where it hurts a little. But, luckily, it hasn't affected my riding
But apart from the bone sticking out a bit where the bone has healed over-lapping, I haven't had any problems with it since, just a few occasions doing some heavy lifting at work where it hurts a little. But, luckily, it hasn't affected my riding
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i broke my left collarbone years ago and apart from a noticeable lump no real side effects. not sure about my right one though. i broke it on november 8th last year. this required a plate and screws to be inserted. have full movement but it hurts heaps when i lay on it. as long as i can ride my bike i dont care if it hurts in the future.
Hamsta
Likes Bikes and Dirt
Right collarbone twice, left once. The right was first broken at 13, then again at 22. The left was a compound break, along with a chip of the elbow end of my ulna and a broken wrist, at age 25. I thankfully had great orthopeadic surgeons and to date I have had no real issues.
As others have suggested, follow the advice of the medicos and rest up. When I did the right side the second time, I used a stress ball to keep the muscles in my lower arm and bicep/tricep moving (improve blood flow and avoid stiffening up) whilst I wore the brace and a full length, elbow to wrist style, adjustable sling.
For the breaks at ages 22 and 25, when I got the o.k from the surgeon, I started a rehab program of aqua exercises, then swimming, then surfing, then weight training to help with strengthening the bones and supporting muscles**.
The worst parts, for the breaks at ages 22 and 25, apart from the initial pain, was sleeping in a single bed or in a recliner rocker to avoid my girlfriend rolling over in bed for a 'hug' during the night and getting dressed/undressed. I learnt to tie my shoe laces with one hand but then purchased some slip ons.
I also had to make use of public transport on quite a few occassions to get about which required some careful planning. I was a student at the time and had to be mindfull of prolonged bouts sitting at the computer (I learnt to use the mouse with the other hand).
Rest up and speak to a physio for some sound advice. You want to give your shoulder the best odds for knitting together nicely the first time around.
** Get medical advice before doing this because, whilst it worked for me, it may not be appropriate for your circumstances.
As others have suggested, follow the advice of the medicos and rest up. When I did the right side the second time, I used a stress ball to keep the muscles in my lower arm and bicep/tricep moving (improve blood flow and avoid stiffening up) whilst I wore the brace and a full length, elbow to wrist style, adjustable sling.
For the breaks at ages 22 and 25, when I got the o.k from the surgeon, I started a rehab program of aqua exercises, then swimming, then surfing, then weight training to help with strengthening the bones and supporting muscles**.
The worst parts, for the breaks at ages 22 and 25, apart from the initial pain, was sleeping in a single bed or in a recliner rocker to avoid my girlfriend rolling over in bed for a 'hug' during the night and getting dressed/undressed. I learnt to tie my shoe laces with one hand but then purchased some slip ons.
I also had to make use of public transport on quite a few occassions to get about which required some careful planning. I was a student at the time and had to be mindfull of prolonged bouts sitting at the computer (I learnt to use the mouse with the other hand).
Rest up and speak to a physio for some sound advice. You want to give your shoulder the best odds for knitting together nicely the first time around.
** Get medical advice before doing this because, whilst it worked for me, it may not be appropriate for your circumstances.
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bethextrem1
Likes Dirt
I to have just boken my clavical into 4 pieces and now have a titanium plate with 6 screws and two pieces of wire. I just seen the specialist, still a bit of a gap between two of the bone pieces. It's been nearly 2 weeks since the op and have to wear the sling for another 3 and a bit weeks until I get another x-ray then hopefully I can start physio.
Follow the instuctions of your doctor, rest, no movement and find a good physio, they are not all the same. Take your time a little extra is a good thing.
I'm convinced that this is not a problem, results from the op are good, I am doing and will continue to to what the specialist has told me and I have a couple of very good physio's that I'll be seeing.
Also it's a collar bone, they are designed to brake before the forces brake your spine. So I think of it as a good thing no spinal damage and no soft tissue damage.
another thing some of you maybe unaware of;
the clavical is sometimes refered to as the key, because it rotates around itself like a key in a lock. So the clavical moves up/down, backwards/forwards and rotates.
Follow the instuctions of your doctor, rest, no movement and find a good physio, they are not all the same. Take your time a little extra is a good thing.
I'm convinced that this is not a problem, results from the op are good, I am doing and will continue to to what the specialist has told me and I have a couple of very good physio's that I'll be seeing.
Also it's a collar bone, they are designed to brake before the forces brake your spine. So I think of it as a good thing no spinal damage and no soft tissue damage.
another thing some of you maybe unaware of;
the clavical is sometimes refered to as the key, because it rotates around itself like a key in a lock. So the clavical moves up/down, backwards/forwards and rotates.
Wiffle
Likes Dirt
Words of warning
Broke my left one twice in 08, firstly around easter going otb. Also managed to sever the subclavian artery which supplies blood to your arm. A week in hospital, some very weird surgery to fix it, but good pain meds. 1st WARNING!!! If you or a friend break a collarbone, check immediately for a pulse in that wrist; if it is weak or absent, get them to hospital straight away as there is a real risk of bleeding to death!!! Tell your mates about this. I had 2 ambo's and a nurse inspect the break and none of them picked it up, they only checked for nerve response. Although an uncommon complication, this is potentially life-threatening but easy to check for.
The break was an oblique fracture (angled) so when the bone healed there was very little correct alignment. 2nd WARNING!!! Although a broken bone will heal in 6-8 weeks if there is good re-alignment, the new calcification around a bone which heals in poor alignment often takes 6 MONTHS to reach full strength!! I found this out after being back on the bike for a few months, having a relatively minor crash and consequently re-breaking the same collarbone in the same place. It was only after this that I was told by my orthopaedic surgeon about the extended healing time for calcifications.
Anyway, long term I have a little stiffness in the joint, some clunking and clicking at extreme range of motion, and my trapezius muscle on that side often aches if I am still for extended periods (I have heard quite a few others report this). My recovery was sped up both times by mobilising the joint as soon as possible after the injury (I did a lot of light yoga-based exercises) as this helps stop shortening/atrophy of the muscles. After the second break I took a silica/calcium/flouride supplement and over a period of about a year the lump on my collarbone (looked like an artichoke on a stem) has almost completely gone and most people can't see any difference to the other side; I highly recommend this stuff!
These days I have no issues with the shoulder when riding or doing most other things. Be patient, listen to your doctor/physio/etc, and listen to your body; it will tell you when you are doing things you shouldn't. If you do all this you will be back on the bike at full strength before you know it, and you'll be able to offer others some good advice. Good luck with it all! Cheers, Steve
Broke my left one twice in 08, firstly around easter going otb. Also managed to sever the subclavian artery which supplies blood to your arm. A week in hospital, some very weird surgery to fix it, but good pain meds.
1st WARNING!!! If you or a friend break a collarbone, check immediately for a pulse in that wrist; if it is weak or absent, get them to hospital straight away as there is a real risk of bleeding to death!!! Tell your mates about this. I had 2 ambo's and a nurse inspect the break and none of them picked it up, they only checked for nerve response. Although an uncommon complication, this is potentially life-threatening but easy to check for.The break was an oblique fracture (angled) so when the bone healed there was very little correct alignment. 2nd WARNING!!! Although a broken bone will heal in 6-8 weeks if there is good re-alignment, the new calcification around a bone which heals in poor alignment often takes 6 MONTHS to reach full strength!! I found this out after being back on the bike for a few months, having a relatively minor crash and consequently re-breaking the same collarbone in the same place. It was only after this that I was told by my orthopaedic surgeon about the extended healing time for calcifications.
Anyway, long term I have a little stiffness in the joint, some clunking and clicking at extreme range of motion, and my trapezius muscle on that side often aches if I am still for extended periods (I have heard quite a few others report this). My recovery was sped up both times by mobilising the joint as soon as possible after the injury (I did a lot of light yoga-based exercises) as this helps stop shortening/atrophy of the muscles. After the second break I took a silica/calcium/flouride supplement and over a period of about a year the lump on my collarbone (looked like an artichoke on a stem) has almost completely gone and most people can't see any difference to the other side; I highly recommend this stuff!
These days I have no issues with the shoulder when riding or doing most other things. Be patient, listen to your doctor/physio/etc, and listen to your body; it will tell you when you are doing things you shouldn't. If you do all this you will be back on the bike at full strength before you know it, and you'll be able to offer others some good advice. Good luck with it all! Cheers, Steve