clavicle break

racerx217
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1200
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MI US
Edited Date/Time 9/13/2017 4:51pm
Who has had them? how has had surgery and who has just let it heal? Thinking mine could go either way going for second opinion. Mine is not a bi-lateral its split right down the center



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moto314
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892
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10/20/2009
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Mooresville, NC US
9/12/2017 5:58pm
Broken both, right one in two places, no surgery on either, no real issues.
9/12/2017 6:05pm
Broke mine when I was young. The drs in school thought I had scoliosis (sp?) a year later because one shoulder was a bit lower. No surgery I'm 45 now and no problems.
kkawboy14
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11494
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6/5/2015
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TX US
9/12/2017 6:08pm Edited Date/Time 9/12/2017 6:10pm
Broke mine last Wednesday at Del Valle mx, went to the ortho doctor today and he said it's half healed, drink more milk, take extra calcium and use the sling they gave me. I stopped using the sling Saturday but he said if it's not stabilized it could possibly not heal. Pain? not so much!

Now you know why I've been on here more lately, between a summer cold and broken collarbone I've been chilling at home.
GuyB
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Aliso Viejo, CA US
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988th
9/12/2017 6:14pm
Broke my right one seven times. I quit going to the ER after the third one. Never had surgery. My collarbone now resembles a replica of the L.A. freeway system.

The Shop

crusty_xx
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CH
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154th
9/12/2017 6:22pm
If you don't need surgery, it's really not that bad. Just give it a little rest and it will be good pretty quickly.
Had mine broken several times. Now the last time I needed surgery. That needed about 4 months to heal...
RonSkj
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Radiator Springs, CA US
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131st
9/12/2017 6:38pm
A better question for these moto jockeys would be, who hasn't had a clavicle break.
racerx217
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1200
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10/10/2008
Location
MI US
9/12/2017 6:48pm
RonSkj wrote:
A better question for these moto jockeys would be, who hasn't had a clavicle break.
Well..... i have been riding over 30 years and this is my first. We had a good run....
rpoint116
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871
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Location
Tempe, AZ US
9/12/2017 6:51pm Edited Date/Time 9/12/2017 6:53pm
Broke both. One at 17 and one at 42. Clean breaks. Wore the figure 8 brace both time. Last one I tore up some tendons as well & needed surgery

Be careful once it starts healing. It's easy to re-break or make it unseat.
cameron96
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737
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CA
9/12/2017 6:53pm
I got both plated. Was able to ride mtb and surf the next week after surgery. Moto a month after.

A HEAVY backpack will bother one of mine but It never enough to make a difference, just noticeable cause a screw backed out a bit

Could get it deleted but it ain't worth the down time to me!

No ragrets
cameron96
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CA
9/12/2017 6:54pm
Also I've taken some heavy hits since and it seems like their stronger cause it didn't take much to break them originally
greenmx5
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PA US
9/12/2017 6:55pm Edited Date/Time 9/12/2017 6:56pm
Had mine operated on twice. Same side. Mine was shattered both times though in 3 different places. If you don't need surgery, give it 6 weeks or so. You'll be noticably weaker in that arm when you start using it again. Stretching every day and any kind of exercise for therapy, preferably the band's the stretch and gradually go to dumbells, about 4-5 times a week for a few months and it'll feel normal again.
fatcat
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186
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2/1/2016
Location
Louisville, KY US
9/12/2017 7:00pm
I broke mine and the ER sent me home in a sling. Went to my Ortho for a second opinion and it had to be plated. End of the break went into muscle. I'm glad he plated it, because a year later I fell and bent the plate, instead of it breaking again.
FTF MX
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10
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9/2/2017
Location
San Antonio, TX US
9/12/2017 7:17pm
Suzuki TM's used to have a frame bar behind the seat and over the fender. Well at the Double Jump at Rio Bravo MX (Circa 1975) there was a stalled rider. I lost the momentum to clear it and the bike landed on my shoulder. Knocked me out and saw stars! Only had a sling and had to write Left Handed for a 6 week period. No real complications.

bionic218
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82
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2/2/2014
Location
Auxvasse, MO US
9/12/2017 7:25pm
Both sides, no surgery, no issues.

If you're serious about riding or racing, you either have broken one, or you will.

Good news though, it's one of the fastest healing bones in the body. You could put two clavicle parts in separate corners of a room, shut the door, check back in six weeks, and they will have grown back together.
BobPA
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PA US
9/12/2017 7:33pm
Left once and right twice

Surgery on my left, which was the most recent...wish I had gotten the surgery each and every time. Much less discomfort when sleeping, wayyyyyfaster healing time.
r.sal923
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564
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1/25/2014
Location
CA
9/12/2017 7:45pm
I have broke mine and just let it heal, the pain the first 3 days is horable ( no pills ). I don't think I would plate it , or if I did I would have it removed as soon as possible . Imagine the pain of breaking it and bending the plate, cutting artery in neck? Hardware scares me.
drt410
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2075
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3/18/2017
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Boston, MA US
9/12/2017 8:03pm
I broke mine really bad and the docs said you rarely need surgery and to just let it heal. Well that was almost 10 years ago and its caused shoulder problems, looks like its about to go through the skin, pops, and my right side is noticeably shorter and twisted compared to the other side. Its true most of the time you dont need surgery but if its bad go for it I regret it every day.
Pirate421
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1818
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7/26/2015
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MA US
9/12/2017 10:58pm
Have broken both of mine. Left one last year, no surgery but took a while to heal, about 4 months. Still feels a little "clunky" sometimes and I can feel it when the weather changes and sometimes it's a little sore, but overall solid. If you ride dirtbikes or mtb it's only a matter of time! Just let it heal all the way I tried to ride a bit too early and it set me back another two weeks or so.
FWYT
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San Diego, CA US
9/12/2017 11:09pm
RonSkj wrote:
A better question for these moto jockeys would be, who hasn't had a clavicle break.
It's practically a rite of passage. Walk around the pits and it's lumpy shoulders everywhere.
Robgvx
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3687
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4/1/2008
Location
GB
9/12/2017 11:13pm
Broke both a few times. No surgery.

No real issues until after MX career when I discovered one shoulder is lower than the other. So when I wear a suit or jacket the buttons don't line up unless I get it custom-fitted...

Doctors don't tell you that when they suggest letting it heal on its own.
Mit12
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1993
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6/23/2014
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Lake Havasu City, AZ US
9/12/2017 11:40pm
Most riders at the top have surgery so that they will heal faster and get back to racing. If you have the time I would let it heal up without surgery.
Evoracer
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263
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12/12/2013
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Anaheim, CA US
9/13/2017 8:53am
Had a couple of clean breaks, one splintered that looked like three opposing fingers coming together in the x-ray, last one didn't even go to the doc. All no surgeries. Hammered each shoulder a few times since, no issues. One shoulder is shorter than the other. Haha
Falcon
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Menifee, CA US
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9/13/2017 9:09am
I broke mine in 1986 in the same place yours is snapped. I was 15 at the time and it took about 2 weeks to knit together. I was riding carefully in 4 weeks and moto-ing hard in 6.

My personal preference would always be no surgery if I can avoid it. I'd rather not have a bunch of hardware inside me. Just do the rest & rehab and you'll be fine. Of course, it's your body so do what you feel is best.
BobPA
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PA US
9/13/2017 9:09am
Mit12 wrote:
Most riders at the top have surgery so that they will heal faster and get back to racing. If you have the time I would let...
Most riders at the top have surgery so that they will heal faster and get back to racing. If you have the time I would let it heal up without surgery.
Why? I saw absolutely no advantage to just letting it heal.
olds cool
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3007
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Claremont, NC US
9/13/2017 10:05am
I have broken each one on separate occasions. Went to a chiropractor a while back and he took some X-rays. When he looked at the X-rays he asked me what kind of fight I had been in and lost. Left side has a pretty big knot / calcium deposit where it healed back together. No surgeries here. Not the prettiest sight but I never was a model anyway.
Motoxdoc
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Steamboat Springs, CO US
9/13/2017 10:13am
Figure 8 collar bone brace and sleep on you back or slightly reclined for 4 weeks....done!
Tracktor
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2344
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The RTF/Amboy, WA US
9/13/2017 11:52am Edited Date/Time 9/13/2017 11:53am
Broke it a few times. Had it plated. Then broke it through the plate. Let it heal but probably should've had surgery again as it's pretty gnarly now -




Here is how I broke it. Always check to make sure ramp is level!--



DB97
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Orlando, FL US
9/13/2017 11:54am


The doctors were surprised when they saw my x ray, no surgery it healed fine. It's definitely not in the same spot and the bone feels pretty wild but I exercise heavily with no pain at all.
Tom711
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202
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2/20/2015
Location
GB
9/13/2017 4:26pm
Broken both in 3 places and had both surgically repaired with plate and screws. I was cycling after 4 weeks and back on the motocross bike in 6 weeks could of been sooner if I really wanted.
I've had some decent crashes on both sides and they've held up well, so well I've dislocated my left shoulder a few times so now waiting on a date for surgery to repair that SadDizzy
racerx217
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1200
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10/10/2008
Location
MI US
9/13/2017 4:36pm
Motoxdoc wrote:
Figure 8 collar bone brace and sleep on you back or slightly reclined for 4 weeks....done!
I keep hearing this, my surgeon gave no brace and told me I only had to use the sling as i felt needed for comfort. Thats why i am questioning it and prob should get a second opinion. I just dont want to wait 6 weeks to find out i need surgery then.

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