Collarbones - How broke is too broke?

[Customjimmy]

I've broken 4 collar bones, and re-broke the last one 3 weeks ago before it was fully healed, on flat ground, barely moving, by snapping a chain and falling over sideways in slow-motion. The one before that left a jagged bit of bone after it healed so that every day in the shower when the soap comes across my shoulder it goes 'doink' and stops where it hits the messed-up bone. Now both collar bones are pretty messed up and a lot different to how they were designed.

I'm not going to spend $100 going to the doctor to ask this, so... it's not a joint, so can they be bent and twisted so much that it causes any long-term problem?

 

[stevenw]

You may have alot of trouble with arthritis later on in life. If I were you, I would see a good upper body surgeon and get that collarbone looked at. If they had pinned your collarbone, you wouldn't have the problems you are having now when you wash ect. I get the feeling your bones will keep snapping until you get it fixed up properly.

 

[3viltoast3r]

I broke my collar bone a while ago......Its never been quite the same.

If you having recurring troubles go see a proper surgeon and get it fixed, and while your their ask for a Ti reinforcement That way you will be 17% faster.........Good luck getting through an airport though

 

[Turner_rider]

I've broken 4 collar bones,

You've only got two, so who's were the others?

When I got mine bolted back together I was told to stay off the bike for 3 months or risk pulling my screws. I was even shown nice photos of people who didn't take this advice.

Whether your's will impact on you later in life is a big unknown. I know people who have had no problems with wonky bones but other who have major issues.

So stop being a tight arse, just go to your doctor, listen to what they say and do it this time.

 

[joey2902]

Four, thats pretty impressive!

Firstly how old are you? The collarbone doesnt harden till your past 20, so if your young it might grow more and correct itself (if you stop breaking it) and secondly i have heard that some people suffer from back and neck strain from holding their shoulder in an unatural postion aswell as athritis of course. Anyway im no doctor but you would be wise to get it sorted out.

 

[Onegear]

Two Years.

I fractured mine and it was a good two years before it really felt solid and strong again.

 

[sam705]

I 'damaged' my collarbone playing football one time, went to the doctor's and was told it wasn't broken, i just had major muscle damage. My friend has just recently broken his, and it healed up a lot quicker than mine did, even though his was broken.
Last year i damaged it again, and didn't see a doctor as i felt as though it was just muscle damage again.

I now have a slight bit of sag on my left shoulder from this, but im assuming whenever you damage your collarbone you will get this?


It also clicks a fair bit when i move my arm above my head..

 

[chu]

I broke both mine last year. Had to have surgery on both of them a couple of times. In my opinion I would go see a doctor because you can lose some of the mobility in your shoulder if it needs surgery and you dont get it fized. Besides, you get a cool scar out of it.

And a fuck load of debt

 

[Steepy]

My advice is to take out some private medical insurance if you haven't got it already as getting surgery on your collarbone can be a very expensive exercise as I have found out. It cost me about $4600 or so to get it fixed and that's not including the operation in six months to get the plate and screws taken out again.

I guess the main issue with private insurance is that it's a pre-existing condition but maybe if you have insurance when you go to see your doctor it might be ok.....or you could just re-break it after you take out you policy

 

[Matt H]

I broke mine about 2 and a bit years ago, and then re-broke it about 5-6 weeks after the first time.

It's fine now, the only problem is that it moves. I don't think it's attached to my sternum properly, because i can pull it in and out about 3-5mm each way.

Calling brisneyland?

 

[Customjimmy]

You've only got two, so who's were the others?

When I got mine bolted back together I was told to stay off the bike for 3 months or risk pulling my screws. I was even shown nice photos of people who didn't take this advice.

Whether your's will impact on you later in life is a big unknown. I know people who have had no problems with wonky bones but other who have major issues.

So stop being a tight arse, just go to your doctor, listen to what they say and do it this time.

Well the previous (3rd) break was a shocker, with the bone broken into 4 bits, and the orthopaedic surgeon didn't pin that one so I figured that this last one, which didn't hurt nearly as much would get the same (no) treatment, so I walked out of emergency with a packet of panadiene fortes and that was that.

I've been to 3 specialists lately with various things, and they've said and done fark-all and cost me hundreds. Getting a bit sick of that being a student supporting a family! And if Farkin doesn't know collarbones, I'll be a monkey's uncle.

I wasn't being silly when I did it again either, just unlucky.

 

[nick_dales]

I got mine Pinned and mine was broken pretty badly
It was fine after 6 months off the bike (too long) but know it dosn't feel any different to the way it was before the accident.