4 months for a clavicle to heal?!?

spraun756
Profile picture for user spraun756
Posts
8
Joined
1/12/2019
Location
Albertville, MN, USA
spraun756
Edited Date/Time 3/27/2019 11:41am
I just has open reduction internal afixiation (plate) done to my collar bone. I was told before heal time is about 6weeks. Well right before i went in to surgery the dr told me i needed to keep my arm in a sling for 4-6 weeks and cant ride for 4months!!! What was the point in getting the plate then?? Im 22 years old so i assumed my bones would heal pretty quickly? Anyone else shed some light on this

|
aees
Profile picture for user aees
Posts
2897
Joined
8/20/2015
Location
USA
aees 3/26/2019 9:07am
3/26/2019 9:07am
Guess it depends some on the exact type, get a second opinion. I was riding after 8 with a plate, but was maybe more ok after 10 and fully back at 12 weeks. did some easier strength training at 6 weeks.
kb228
Profile picture for user kb228
Posts
6153
Joined
1/31/2018
Location
Mansfield, OH, USA
kb228 3/26/2019 9:07am
3/26/2019 9:07am
6 weeks is about right for it to heal. 2 months after my surgery i was benching 235lbs full range no problem. So id think riding would be ok at 3-4. The problem is when you fall on it. Not riding in itself.
1
ML512
Profile picture for user ML512
Posts
17115
Joined
12/28/2008
Location
Wildomar, CA, USA
ML512 3/26/2019 9:09am
3/26/2019 9:09am
Rode one week after mine was put in, sore but manageable...
2
aees
Profile picture for user aees
Posts
2897
Joined
8/20/2015
Location
USA
aees 3/26/2019 9:10am
3/26/2019 9:10am
kb228 wrote:
6 weeks is about right for it to heal. 2 months after my surgery i was benching 235lbs full range no problem. So id think riding...
6 weeks is about right for it to heal. 2 months after my surgery i was benching 235lbs full range no problem. So id think riding would be ok at 3-4. The problem is when you fall on it. Not riding in itself.
Agree, took me from the 8 week to 11-12 wek to be comfortable. First ride at 8 weeks, never been so scared of tipping over. After 1-2 easy tipp overs the mental barrier was gone.

The Shop

See All »
Jaybird67k
Profile picture for user Jaybird67k
Posts
567
Joined
10/27/2013
Location
Vidor, TX, USA
Jaybird67k 3/26/2019 9:31am
3/26/2019 9:31am
I raced 1 month after the plate as well at 44 years old but I rode my 125 because it was light.
I didn't have a problem.
spraun756
Profile picture for user spraun756
Posts
8
Joined
1/12/2019
Location
Albertville, MN, USA
spraun756 3/26/2019 9:35am
3/26/2019 9:35am
I just hear lots of people say they were back after 6weeks. When i heard when i heard 18 weeks i was a little shocked. This is my first bone break so i have no idea with to expect. I just cant fathom not riding for rhat long over a plated collar bone
1
Jeremy Macbeth
Profile picture for user Jeremy Macbeth
Posts
806
Joined
6/12/2018
Location
USA
Jeremy Macbeth 3/26/2019 9:43am
3/26/2019 9:43am
You're 22 years old... listen to your doctor.
6
1
dickjackson170
Profile picture for user dickjackson170
Posts
718
Joined
11/7/2017
Location
Navarre, OH, USA
dickjackson170 3/26/2019 10:06am
3/26/2019 10:06am
Jeremy Macbeth wrote:
You're 22 years old... listen to your doctor.
^ THIS! Listen kid, it's probably not a good idea to go fishing for medical advice from a pack of dudes sitting in front of a computer in their underwear. Be patient young Jedi and let your body heal. You have the rest of your life to ride! Assuming nobody is paying you millions to win races.....
5
woodsgoon
Profile picture for user woodsgoon
Posts
117
Joined
11/24/2018
Location
USA
woodsgoon 3/26/2019 10:39am
3/26/2019 10:39am
get a second professional opinion. I was released to go back to riding at 6 weeks on both of mine but my 2nd doctor didnt fully release me until 8 weeks.
GuyB
Profile picture for user GuyB
Posts
35722
Joined
7/10/2006
Location
Aliso Viejo, CA, USA
GuyB 3/26/2019 10:49am
3/26/2019 10:49am
I'm still trying to figure out why plating is the go-to on collarbones...unless you're a pro in a championship chase who's trying to minimize the time to get back onto the track.
3
aees
Profile picture for user aees
Posts
2897
Joined
8/20/2015
Location
USA
aees 3/26/2019 10:51am
3/26/2019 10:51am
GuyB wrote:
I'm still trying to figure out why plating is the go-to on collarbones...unless you're a pro in a championship chase who's trying to minimize the time...
I'm still trying to figure out why plating is the go-to on collarbones...unless you're a pro in a championship chase who's trying to minimize the time to get back onto the track.
Because you can go back to a normal home and for most work life after 1-2 days instead of weeks with a arm useless, plus risk for re-tearing. All about money.
dickjackson170
Profile picture for user dickjackson170
Posts
718
Joined
11/7/2017
Location
Navarre, OH, USA
dickjackson170 3/26/2019 10:52am
3/26/2019 10:52am
GuyB wrote:
I'm still trying to figure out why plating is the go-to on collarbones...unless you're a pro in a championship chase who's trying to minimize the time...
I'm still trying to figure out why plating is the go-to on collarbones...unless you're a pro in a championship chase who's trying to minimize the time to get back onto the track.
It must depend on the doctor. Mine was completely snapped, like the x ray above, and all I got was the sling. I asked for the plate, just so it wouldn't be moving around, making me nauseous. The doctor said nope.
GuyB
Profile picture for user GuyB
Posts
35722
Joined
7/10/2006
Location
Aliso Viejo, CA, USA
GuyB 3/26/2019 10:54am
3/26/2019 10:54am
I broke my right one seven times, and quit going to the doc for it after the third one. Throw the sling and figure eight brace on, wait a few weeks, done.
4
Fog 25
Profile picture for user Fog 25
Posts
182
Joined
6/25/2016
Location
Castaic, CA, USA
Fog 25 3/26/2019 11:28am
3/26/2019 11:28am Edited Date/Time 3/26/2019 11:30am
Every doctor is different listen to yours. Mine was 6-8 weeks off the bike. My doctor wanted me to remove the plate after 10 to 12 months (which I did) if I was still riding. He didn’t want the clavicle to break closer to the sternum at the end of the plate if I was to fall over again.
GeorgiePorgie
Profile picture for user GeorgiePorgie
Posts
8379
Joined
3/4/2012
Location
USA
GeorgiePorgie 3/26/2019 11:39am
3/26/2019 11:39am Edited Date/Time 3/26/2019 11:40am
GuyB wrote:
I broke my right one seven times, and quit going to the doc for it after the third one. Throw the sling and figure eight brace...
I broke my right one seven times, and quit going to the doc for it after the third one. Throw the sling and figure eight brace on, wait a few weeks, done.

8 times?!?!? Holy crap.

You got short shoulder syndrome ? I’ve plated both mine to get me back out to length. Tried no plate on the right side. Had some major issues. Shoulder was short. I favored that side. Neck was pulling out of alignment to Compensate for the short shoulder. Was getting wierd shooting pains when I held my arm directly over my head. Dropped a drill one day due to shooter putting up some bike rack hangars on the ceiling 5 months after my injury and said screw it. Went for 2nd opinion. Rebroke it in surgery. Plated it. Now feel great. No issues.
motomike894
Profile picture for user motomike894
Posts
1577
Joined
9/6/2009
Location
Waterloo, IN, USA
motomike894 3/26/2019 11:40am
3/26/2019 11:40am
Ive had surgery on the same collarbone 3 times, I broke it in 4 places first time the bone almost came out of skin and other end was like a cunt hair from puncturing lung it was messed up, so I had to have it plated, I didn't ride for 9-10 weeks because they wanted me to be more careful since it was broke so bad.

3 years later or so it was always bothering me, and my skin stuck to one of the screw heads so I had to get it removed, whew felt way better after that.

Then about 4 or 5 years after that had another bad crash and broke that collarbone again in half this time but it was pretty jacked up so had it plated again, I rode 5 weeks after it was plated and it was fine, I felt like I could've rode 3 weeks after it was done this time.

And that was 2014 and its never bothered me since then, so weird that I had issues with it first time but this time it never bugs me, I don't even remember its there.

But I would say a good time frame would be 8-10 weeks if you want to play it safe, but everyone heals different, I would judge how good it feels and the strength in it before thinking about riding.
GuyB
Profile picture for user GuyB
Posts
35722
Joined
7/10/2006
Location
Aliso Viejo, CA, USA
GuyB 3/26/2019 11:42am
3/26/2019 11:42am
GeorgiePorgie wrote:
8 times?!?!? Holy crap. You got short shoulder syndrome ? I’ve plated both mine to get me back out to length. Tried no plate on the...

8 times?!?!? Holy crap.

You got short shoulder syndrome ? I’ve plated both mine to get me back out to length. Tried no plate on the right side. Had some major issues. Shoulder was short. I favored that side. Neck was pulling out of alignment to Compensate for the short shoulder. Was getting wierd shooting pains when I held my arm directly over my head. Dropped a drill one day due to shooter putting up some bike rack hangars on the ceiling 5 months after my injury and said screw it. Went for 2nd opinion. Rebroke it in surgery. Plated it. Now feel great. No issues.
I'm six feet tall, and the only short issue I have isn't related to my previously injured shoulder. Smile
3
MOTO732
Profile picture for user MOTO732
Posts
300
Joined
1/11/2019
Location
Elkhorn, WI, USA
MOTO732 3/26/2019 11:47am
3/26/2019 11:47am Edited Date/Time 3/26/2019 11:48am
I'd wait and do what the DR says FOR SURE. You wad it up riding while still healing and do more damage, or additional damage on another body part, you'll think the original prognosis was a friggn cakewalk. I went through the same stuff..plated and screwed. I waited and had zero additional problems.

Pit Row

See All »
project racer
Profile picture for user project racer
Posts
4371
Joined
8/26/2006
Location
USA
project racer 3/26/2019 11:51am
3/26/2019 11:51am Edited Date/Time 3/26/2019 11:52am
GuyB wrote:
I broke my right one seven times, and quit going to the doc for it after the third one. Throw the sling and figure eight brace...
I broke my right one seven times, and quit going to the doc for it after the third one. Throw the sling and figure eight brace on, wait a few weeks, done.
Went for the first RH break, that was it. Just kept the gear in my drawer. Recall one day towing a friend on a plastic Big Wheel behind my old 125 Yamaha. Felt the rope get slack over a small bump, looked back to the coolest Big Wheel cross up in history.

After snapping the front end cleanly off the BW upon landing, the forces were directed to the clavicle. Broke out the gear, hosed him down, and gave him the strap on . 3-4 weeks, back to norm.
kb228
Profile picture for user kb228
Posts
6153
Joined
1/31/2018
Location
Mansfield, OH, USA
kb228 3/26/2019 11:52am
3/26/2019 11:52am
kb228 wrote:
6 weeks is about right for it to heal. 2 months after my surgery i was benching 235lbs full range no problem. So id think riding...
6 weeks is about right for it to heal. 2 months after my surgery i was benching 235lbs full range no problem. So id think riding would be ok at 3-4. The problem is when you fall on it. Not riding in itself.
aees wrote:
Agree, took me from the 8 week to 11-12 wek to be comfortable. First ride at 8 weeks, never been so scared of tipping over. After...
Agree, took me from the 8 week to 11-12 wek to be comfortable. First ride at 8 weeks, never been so scared of tipping over. After 1-2 easy tipp overs the mental barrier was gone.
I just fell onto my shoulder for the first time sunday. My mental block was greatly reduced as well.
spraun756
Profile picture for user spraun756
Posts
8
Joined
1/12/2019
Location
Albertville, MN, USA
spraun756 3/26/2019 12:00pm
3/26/2019 12:00pm
I should add that i havent been to a physical therapist yet. Thats Saturday. I just got surgery yesterday and was shocked. Not counting the guys on here i know of alot of other guys with plated clavicles and no one has waited that long. Just sucks i broke it indoor right as our outdoor season was about to start and me and my girlfriend both have new bikes too. Hopefully the physical therapist tells me something because 4 weeks with no use of my arm seems odd? Why didnt they just set it and let it heal?
Donovan759
Profile picture for user Donovan759
Posts
2089
Joined
10/12/2017
Location
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Donovan759 3/26/2019 12:08pm
3/26/2019 12:08pm
GET A SECOND OPINION. Just in case.

I almost lost 40% turning radius in my arm because a doctor was trying to hide his mistakes. He said a broken radius would take 6 months to heal properly. Got a 2nd opinion & the surgeon opted for immediate surgery to correct the mistakes made by the first doctor.

I have about 90% normal use of my arm now instead of what could have been 60-50%. Literally the difference of being able to properly play guitar or not, which is how I make half of my income.
Jeremy Macbeth
Profile picture for user Jeremy Macbeth
Posts
806
Joined
6/12/2018
Location
USA
Jeremy Macbeth 3/26/2019 12:08pm
3/26/2019 12:08pm
spraun756 wrote:
I should add that i havent been to a physical therapist yet. Thats Saturday. I just got surgery yesterday and was shocked. Not counting the guys...
I should add that i havent been to a physical therapist yet. Thats Saturday. I just got surgery yesterday and was shocked. Not counting the guys on here i know of alot of other guys with plated clavicles and no one has waited that long. Just sucks i broke it indoor right as our outdoor season was about to start and me and my girlfriend both have new bikes too. Hopefully the physical therapist tells me something because 4 weeks with no use of my arm seems odd? Why didnt they just set it and let it heal?
Young lad - I have seen a lot of broken clavicles. I broke and plated mine. What I see in that x-ray is not a straight-forward, common clavicle break. That thing is broken in two places and separated from the acromion.

Listen to your doctor. Your physical therapist will also follow the doctor's orders and will design a treatment plan accordingly.
1
spraun756
Profile picture for user spraun756
Posts
8
Joined
1/12/2019
Location
Albertville, MN, USA
spraun756 3/26/2019 12:32pm
3/26/2019 12:32pm
spraun756 wrote:
I should add that i havent been to a physical therapist yet. Thats Saturday. I just got surgery yesterday and was shocked. Not counting the guys...
I should add that i havent been to a physical therapist yet. Thats Saturday. I just got surgery yesterday and was shocked. Not counting the guys on here i know of alot of other guys with plated clavicles and no one has waited that long. Just sucks i broke it indoor right as our outdoor season was about to start and me and my girlfriend both have new bikes too. Hopefully the physical therapist tells me something because 4 weeks with no use of my arm seems odd? Why didnt they just set it and let it heal?
Jeremy Macbeth wrote:
Young lad - I have seen a lot of broken clavicles. I broke and plated mine. What I see in that x-ray is not a straight-forward...
Young lad - I have seen a lot of broken clavicles. I broke and plated mine. What I see in that x-ray is not a straight-forward, common clavicle break. That thing is broken in two places and separated from the acromion.

Listen to your doctor. Your physical therapist will also follow the doctor's orders and will design a treatment plan accordingly.
We thought at first that it was torn that the ligaments were damaged however when he got in there he said that everything looked good. He said part of the reason for the large gap is that im 6’5 so its going to appear bigger than normal. I was told that the only break is the one in the middle making it look an A and thats all that needed repair
GuyB
Profile picture for user GuyB
Posts
35722
Joined
7/10/2006
Location
Aliso Viejo, CA, USA
GuyB 3/26/2019 2:04pm
3/26/2019 2:04pm
project racer wrote:
Went for the first RH break, that was it. Just kept the gear in my drawer. Recall one day towing a friend on a plastic Big...
Went for the first RH break, that was it. Just kept the gear in my drawer. Recall one day towing a friend on a plastic Big Wheel behind my old 125 Yamaha. Felt the rope get slack over a small bump, looked back to the coolest Big Wheel cross up in history.

After snapping the front end cleanly off the BW upon landing, the forces were directed to the clavicle. Broke out the gear, hosed him down, and gave him the strap on . 3-4 weeks, back to norm.
Not sure I’d call it a strap-on. Grinning

I used to call mine the Chinese torture brace.
1
500 Mike
Profile picture for user 500 Mike
Posts
1149
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Kingwood, TX, USA
500 Mike 3/26/2019 4:33pm
3/26/2019 4:33pm
Mine was very similar to yours OP. Shattered bone in between neck & shoulder socket. Plated, artificial bone placed in between the broken ends and riding in 3 mos with no pain. incision hurt worse than anything. Take it easy and let it heal.
NHtoWA421
Profile picture for user NHtoWA421
Posts
578
Joined
8/4/2014
Location
Bremerton, WA, USA
NHtoWA421 3/26/2019 5:24pm
3/26/2019 5:24pm
Dude was probably just being conservative hoping you wouldn't question. I exploded mine and he told me "sling for 4-6 weeks. day to day activities in 6 weeks, will be as good as new in 3 months"... Yeah... Was back on the bike, racing in 8 iirc.
Also exploded my wrist. Got the cast off in 6 and the same guy said "no bike or dirtbike for another 2 months, or that thing will crumble" guess what... He was right.
MOTOXSTATION
Profile picture for user MOTOXSTATION
Posts
443
Joined
8/17/2006
Location
Media, PA, USA
MOTOXSTATION 3/26/2019 5:32pm
3/26/2019 5:32pm
project racer wrote:
Went for the first RH break, that was it. Just kept the gear in my drawer. Recall one day towing a friend on a plastic Big...
Went for the first RH break, that was it. Just kept the gear in my drawer. Recall one day towing a friend on a plastic Big Wheel behind my old 125 Yamaha. Felt the rope get slack over a small bump, looked back to the coolest Big Wheel cross up in history.

After snapping the front end cleanly off the BW upon landing, the forces were directed to the clavicle. Broke out the gear, hosed him down, and gave him the strap on . 3-4 weeks, back to norm.
GuyB wrote:
Not sure I’d call it a strap-on. Grinning

I used to call mine the Chinese torture brace.
I broke mine once.....I can relate. Your response has me in tears!???
spraun756
Profile picture for user spraun756
Posts
8
Joined
1/12/2019
Location
Albertville, MN, USA
spraun756 3/27/2019 11:41am
3/27/2019 11:41am
500 Mike wrote:
Mine was very similar to yours OP. Shattered bone in between neck & shoulder socket. Plated, artificial bone placed in between the broken ends and riding...
Mine was very similar to yours OP. Shattered bone in between neck & shoulder socket. Plated, artificial bone placed in between the broken ends and riding in 3 mos with no pain. incision hurt worse than anything. Take it easy and let it heal.
Lucky i didnt need any of that. He said the break went back together perfectly and had no other damage

Post a reply to: 4 months for a clavicle to heal?!?