Clavicle Surgery -Update

Tacha
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15
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5/27/2013
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CA
5/29/2013 5:55pm
Saw my doctor today, new xrays and its worse, much worse, instead of fusing together they've moved away from each other. Surprisingly, i'm not in that much pain anymore and i thought i was healing. Guess i was wrong. Needless to say, i have no choice to do the surgery. I asked my doctor when was the earliest i could get back on and he said 4 months. :o what? Is that what everyone is given and they get back out there earlier despite their docs advice? I was expecting to hear 4-6 weeks or so, but was shocked to be told 4 months, and really disappointed. Any thoughts?
I go in for surgery in the morning.........
Saltybrad
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Windermere, FL US
5/29/2013 6:02pm
Good luck, with the surgery man.
Tacha
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5/29/2013 6:04pm
Saltybrad wrote:
Good luck, with the surgery man.
Thanks! Smile i hope it goes well, wonder what the aftermaths gonna feel like.
yamadogyz
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Orrville, OH US
5/29/2013 6:27pm
Tacha wrote:
Saw my doctor today, new xrays and its worse, much worse, instead of fusing together they've moved away from each other. Surprisingly, i'm not in that...
Saw my doctor today, new xrays and its worse, much worse, instead of fusing together they've moved away from each other. Surprisingly, i'm not in that much pain anymore and i thought i was healing. Guess i was wrong. Needless to say, i have no choice to do the surgery. I asked my doctor when was the earliest i could get back on and he said 4 months. :o what? Is that what everyone is given and they get back out there earlier despite their docs advice? I was expecting to hear 4-6 weeks or so, but was shocked to be told 4 months, and really disappointed. Any thoughts?
I go in for surgery in the morning.........
No way, not 4 months. Doctors like to give you the worse news and then dial it back later, but you need to get that fixed asap. You should be back before the end of the summer if so. Here's some tips though
1) most important, drop the pain pills as soon as you can. withdraw is a bitch. I only took my oxycodone 3 days after surgery and it was still really rough.
2) eat meat and drink your milk, your body needs nutrition to repair even if you don't feel like it.
3) if you have physical therapy, do it twice as much as your supposed to.
4) don't be afraid to use that arm just a little bit, like drinking or changing channels
5) stay calm the day of surgery, but tell them if you need a catheter put it in and pull it out while your asleep. they will. you want that.
6) don't complain to your doctor, or he WILL make you wait 4 months to ride.
7) when you do ride again, go easy and work your way up. you don't know what you can handle and what you can't.
8) ask for x ray copies, if you say its for your follow up doctor, they are free.

The Shop

Tacha
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5/29/2013 6:29pm
Here's a pic of my first xray a couple hours after the break, the second 5 days later, you can see just how much the bones shifted...

 photo collarbonecomp_zps24d88994.png" class="img-fluid" />
Tacha
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CA
5/29/2013 6:38pm
yamadogyz wrote:
No way, not 4 months. Doctors like to give you the worse news and then dial it back later, but you need to get that fixed...
No way, not 4 months. Doctors like to give you the worse news and then dial it back later, but you need to get that fixed asap. You should be back before the end of the summer if so. Here's some tips though
1) most important, drop the pain pills as soon as you can. withdraw is a bitch. I only took my oxycodone 3 days after surgery and it was still really rough.
2) eat meat and drink your milk, your body needs nutrition to repair even if you don't feel like it.
3) if you have physical therapy, do it twice as much as your supposed to.
4) don't be afraid to use that arm just a little bit, like drinking or changing channels
5) stay calm the day of surgery, but tell them if you need a catheter put it in and pull it out while your asleep. they will. you want that.
6) don't complain to your doctor, or he WILL make you wait 4 months to ride.
7) when you do ride again, go easy and work your way up. you don't know what you can handle and what you can't.
8) ask for x ray copies, if you say its for your follow up doctor, they are free.
Thanks for the tips, exactly what i was searching to hear. I'm on morphine right now, but i've been barely taking it, because at the moment the pain isn't bad. I go in for surgery tomorrow. And when i re-asked my doctor about the four months, with a chuckle i said so i can ride after 6-8 weeks, he shook his head and repeated four months.
Truth is, i'm a newbie, and i fall. So that worries me when i'll be back, but after reading alot about other motocrossers having the same plates stuck in and being able to ride after 4-6 weeks, i was thinking why am i being told 4 months. That puts me to the end of Sept.

My surgery is suppose to be a day surgery, and if the pain isn't much he said i can leave tomorrow. I'm hoping it all goes well.
I already bought calcium vitamin d supplements and i plant to eat alot of foods with it.
Check on the meat and milk. I'm gonna do my best to be able to back riding asap. But i would be taking it slow for sure.
yamadogyz
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Orrville, OH US
5/29/2013 6:56pm
Tacha wrote:
Thanks for the tips, exactly what i was searching to hear. I'm on morphine right now, but i've been barely taking it, because at the moment...
Thanks for the tips, exactly what i was searching to hear. I'm on morphine right now, but i've been barely taking it, because at the moment the pain isn't bad. I go in for surgery tomorrow. And when i re-asked my doctor about the four months, with a chuckle i said so i can ride after 6-8 weeks, he shook his head and repeated four months.
Truth is, i'm a newbie, and i fall. So that worries me when i'll be back, but after reading alot about other motocrossers having the same plates stuck in and being able to ride after 4-6 weeks, i was thinking why am i being told 4 months. That puts me to the end of Sept.

My surgery is suppose to be a day surgery, and if the pain isn't much he said i can leave tomorrow. I'm hoping it all goes well.
I already bought calcium vitamin d supplements and i plant to eat alot of foods with it.
Check on the meat and milk. I'm gonna do my best to be able to back riding asap. But i would be taking it slow for sure.
You defiantly have the right idea. I busted both of my arms with a total 5 fractures. 3 plates, 22 screws and a pin in my wrist all permanent and I was released to ride after 3 months lightly and 4 months to compete. I was out of school for 4 weeks though and was taken care of like a baby since I couldn't do anything for myself. This happened in Jan and I am 101% rehabbed and feel great and ride just as good. I don't wanna tell you to dis obey your doctor, since he knows what he is doing, but sometime you have to be like "I feel fine, so I'm riding today" and see where you get. Take it easy and do everything you need to for 2 months and then go for it if you feel strong. Here's some of mine.




DMS.
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NC US
5/29/2013 6:58pm
Go with what your Dr. is telling you.
This happened last Labor Day (Sept. 3rd). I don’t have any issues, post-surgery. I was in no rush to, but riding again in December.
Tacha
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5/29/2013 9:00pm
yamadogyz wrote:
You defiantly have the right idea. I busted both of my arms with a total 5 fractures. 3 plates, 22 screws and a pin in my...
You defiantly have the right idea. I busted both of my arms with a total 5 fractures. 3 plates, 22 screws and a pin in my wrist all permanent and I was released to ride after 3 months lightly and 4 months to compete. I was out of school for 4 weeks though and was taken care of like a baby since I couldn't do anything for myself. This happened in Jan and I am 101% rehabbed and feel great and ride just as good. I don't wanna tell you to dis obey your doctor, since he knows what he is doing, but sometime you have to be like "I feel fine, so I'm riding today" and see where you get. Take it easy and do everything you need to for 2 months and then go for it if you feel strong. Here's some of mine.




oh my god, that looks so painful. It must of sucked. I'm going to take it one step at a time, and hope i can start riding again sooner rather than later. Smile
Tacha
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5/29/2013 9:04pm
DMS. wrote:
Go with what your Dr. is telling you. This happened last Labor Day (Sept. 3rd). I don’t have any issues, post-surgery. I was in no rush...
Go with what your Dr. is telling you.
This happened last Labor Day (Sept. 3rd). I don’t have any issues, post-surgery. I was in no rush to, but riding again in December.
That about looks what i'll be getting tomorrow. The only thing that sucks about waiting, is that i'd have a month at most of riding before snow hits and then i'd have to wait till next spring. Rush too soon and i'll be back at the hospital... so i'm going to heal and hopefully get the clear sooner than my doc orginally said.
Trauma
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Victoria AU
5/29/2013 11:33pm
Tacha wrote:
Here's a pic of my first xray a couple hours after the break, the second 5 days later, you can see just how much the bones...
Here's a pic of my first xray a couple hours after the break, the second 5 days later, you can see just how much the bones shifted...

 photo collarbonecomp_zps24d88994.png" class="img-fluid" />
That left shot is basically identical to what I did, they naturally healed one on top of the other, not end to end.
yamahuh
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US
5/30/2013 4:52am
Listen to your Orthopedic, he will review x-rays to determine percent healed. Every case is different.
If there are multiple chips that can't be screwed or pinned there will be 'divots' where new bone has to fill in before it's strong and that takes time. I found it better dealing with the Dr. instead of a PA as he was much more experienced.
yamadogyz
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Orrville, OH US
5/30/2013 9:13am
Tacha wrote:
oh my god, that looks so painful. It must of sucked. I'm going to take it one step at a time, and hope i can start...
oh my god, that looks so painful. It must of sucked. I'm going to take it one step at a time, and hope i can start riding again sooner rather than later. Smile
It was a little sore, but take it easy and if you feel you can ride after 6-8 weeks then do it, but go slow Smile
Tacha
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CA
5/30/2013 4:42pm
back from the hospital... i thought breaking my clavicle hurt. woke up in a world of pain. got lots of healing to do... taking it one step at a time. go back for doc. appointment in 11 days for xrays as well.
The doctor joked before i went under that since i planned on motocrossing again he was going tio insert plates in my left one ahead of time. They commented how its rare they get girls in surgery from motocross accidents, then i was out like a light and woke up two or so hours later... in a lot of pain i might add. But it's done! Let the healing begin...
thanks guys for all your advice and sharing your experiences with me, it meant alot.
braap981
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Centerville, UT US
5/30/2013 4:54pm
broke my clavicle four weeks ago it just broke in half it didnt' break in other places so they sent me out the door with a sling its's been four weeks and i'm already feeling like riding but I have to wait six weeks!
bvm111
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Las Vegas, NV US
5/30/2013 4:56pm
Tacha wrote:
back from the hospital... i thought breaking my clavicle hurt. woke up in a world of pain. got lots of healing to do... taking it one...
back from the hospital... i thought breaking my clavicle hurt. woke up in a world of pain. got lots of healing to do... taking it one step at a time. go back for doc. appointment in 11 days for xrays as well.
The doctor joked before i went under that since i planned on motocrossing again he was going tio insert plates in my left one ahead of time. They commented how its rare they get girls in surgery from motocross accidents, then i was out like a light and woke up two or so hours later... in a lot of pain i might add. But it's done! Let the healing begin...
thanks guys for all your advice and sharing your experiences with me, it meant alot.
Good to hear everything went well!

Try not to take too many pain meds as they can be habit forming... I like an 800mg Ibuprofen and 1 Extra strength Tylenol myself, it doesnt kill ALL of the pain but at least you can function on it and it is easier to tell when your real pain is subsiding on its own. I have never done my clavical like you did but I did explode my left elbow almost 20 years ago into 15 pieces and I still have hardware in there holding it together... but it still works!!!

I am not sure if you have to do Physical Therapy on this type of injury but if you do it is more important than the surgery to gain all your range of motion and strength back.

Make sure to follow your doctors orders and you will be good as new in no time at all and getting ready to go ride again!!! Woohoo
Tacha
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CA
10/30/2013 1:37am
Tacha wrote:
I took a bad fall out riding on Thursday and fractured my right clavicle. My doctor recommended surgery with the type of break i have (the...
I took a bad fall out riding on Thursday and fractured my right clavicle. My doctor recommended surgery with the type of break i have (the bones are overlapping and their not touching with a pretty big gap between). Being scared, i opted not to at the time. I was sent home with option B. a brace in hopes that it would help pull my bones closer so that it can start to heal. He wasn't convinced it would and told me that i would likely be in surgery this Thursday. Over the weekend, after hearing others opinions, i decided to go for the surgery because, 1. i want it to heal faster/better and 2. i will be riding again and think that with plates/screws, it would be more solid and stronger than not.
My question is, is it safer or better to have the plates or am i better off without them? i read that it is dangerous if you fall after with the plates/screws in, is that true?
I'm in alot of pain and on morphine, i just want it to be done with so i can start healing and riding soon.
Thanks!
Natacha

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nov. 2013
I thought I’d pop in here and give an update to my story. I initially broke my right clavicle last May, its been five months and unfortunately my healing process hasn’t been a very good one.
I had surgery (hurt like hell!) arm brace for two weeks, started physio, had ZERO pain, pushed myself too fast + made the mistake of picking up a little toddler and the screws started loosening a few weeks after surgery. After my doc. appoint I had to wear an arm brace for another six weeks in hopes that it would heal enough so my doctor wouldn’t have to go back in and install another plate. During the six weeks the plate continued to lift and in doing so deformed my bone. When my doc opened me back up in late August he saw that the bone was healed enough and just removed the plate (which was what I wanted at the time). Over the coming weeks the bone continued to protrude my skin, my shoulder was slumped once again and was shortened, It looked worse than when I first broke it. On my next appointment my doctor scheduled me in for surgery again on Oct. 9th, this time he installed a longer plate with 8 screws. It’s now week 3 and everything is looking good. I found it interesting how the first time it hurt like hell but with each surgery it became less and less painful. He told me it would be better to keep the plate in this time because my bone has too many holes in it, it would be left weakened and would likely fracture more easily the next time I fell.
What I’ve come to learn in the long process is that each person heals differently, I pushed myself too quickly and paid for it. This time around, no physio, and I’m still in an arm brace for four more weeks until I see my doctor again.
I’ve learned so much from this, and I’ve come a long way from the girl who was terrified of having surgery last May.
Of course it sucked watching friends and family go out riding this summer while I was stuck behind, even friends that broke their clavicles were back out riding before me but I wish I would have been more patient in the beginning, at least I would have been riding right now. I still have lots of work once I’m healed to get muscle and range back but I’m looking forward to riding next season! Smile


first plate progress:


After they removed the first plate:


What it looked like:


New plate:

I thought I’d pop in here and give an update to my story. I initially broke my right clavicle last May, its been five months and unfortunately my healing process hasn’t been a very good one.
I had surgery (hurt like hell!) arm brace for two weeks, started physio, had ZERO pain, pushed myself too fast + made the mistake of picking up a little toddler and the screws started loosening a few weeks after surgery. After my doc. appoint I had to wear an arm brace for another six weeks in hopes that it would heal enough so my doctor wouldn’t have to go back in and install another plate. During the six weeks the plate continued to lift and in doing so deformed my bone. When my doc opened me back up in late August he saw that the bone was healed enough and just removed the plate (which was what I wanted at the time). Over the coming weeks the bone continued to protrude my skin, my shoulder was slumped once again and was shortened, It looked worse than when I first broke it. On my next appointment my doctor scheduled me in for surgery again on Oct. 9th, this time he installed a longer plate with 8 screws. It’s now week 3 and everything is looking good. I found it interesting how the first time it hurt like hell but with each surgery it became less and less painful. He told me it would be better to keep the plate in this time because my bone has too many holes in it, it would be left weakened and would likely fracture more easily the next time I fell.
What I’ve come to learn in the long process is that each person heals differently, I pushed myself too quickly and paid for it. This time around, no physio, and I’m still in an arm brace for four more weeks until I see my doctor again.
I’ve learned so much from this, and I’ve come a long way from the girl who was terrified of having surgery last May.
Of course it sucked watching friends and family go out riding this summer while I was stuck behind, even friends that broke their clavicles were back out riding before me but I wish I would have been more patient in the beginning, at least I would have been riding right now. I still have lots of work once I’m healed to get muscle and range back but I’m looking forward to riding next season! Smile


first plate progress:


After they removed the first plate:


What it looked like:


New plate:

Vanilla
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5/16/2012
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NL
10/30/2013 7:49am Edited Date/Time 10/30/2013 7:50am
Broke mine a few weeks ago, was the 4th time i broke the left side, first time surgery(on the shoulder).



The other times i broke it the break was pretty clean, this time not so much. When i had a clean break i was riding after 4 weeks. I think this time it will be after 6 or 7 weeks.
Tacha
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15
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5/27/2013
Location
CA
11/3/2013 7:16pm
Vanilla wrote:
Broke mine a few weeks ago, was the 4th time i broke the left side, first time surgery(on the shoulder). [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2013/10/30/35265/s1200_Sleutelbeen.jpg[/img] The other times i broke...
Broke mine a few weeks ago, was the 4th time i broke the left side, first time surgery(on the shoulder).



The other times i broke it the break was pretty clean, this time not so much. When i had a clean break i was riding after 4 weeks. I think this time it will be after 6 or 7 weeks.
hope you heal quickly! Smile I was told i couldn't ride before 3 months, but i've heard of some riding 6 weeks after but there's always a chance if you fall you'll mess it up. I didn't even have to ride to mess my first plate up.
10/29/2017 10:31pm
I had a similar experience this year! April 14th I had a plate and a bunch of screws put in my left clavicle. The doctor said no riding for 6 months. That put me out of racing for the year. I didn’t listen and started practicing 3.5 months after surgery and I broke the plate and any bone that had grown! October 13th I was back in the operating room getting a new plate and this time a bone graft! The surgeon is telling me to never ride a bike or snowmobile again! I can’t stop riding! Either my case is the worst in history or he is being way to cautious haha. Thanks for sharing all yours stories as well!
983mx
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11/15/2011
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CA
10/29/2017 11:24pm


30 days after having mine plated an axle block broke on my 450 staling the motor on the top of the uphill at Washougel. Just a little set back.

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