Broken Collarbone

[ian in lancs]

I’m a fit 62yo that has gone and broken my collarbone in a fall whilst out running! God, it’s painful! Anyway, I’m 2 1/2 weeks in. At the +4days fracture clinic the doc said treat without surgery and to see me in 3-4weeks. He said return to running in 6wks and cycling/driving in 10. Is that about right? I want to get back as soon as possible!

Anyone been on this journey that can share experience or docs / physios that can give advice please?

Eta X-ray

Edited by ian in lancs on Tuesday 20th July 21:51

[r1mike1983]

Broke my collarbone in a motorbike accident. I didn’t have surgery as it was just as Covid became a thing.

10-12 weeks sounds about right, was a long painful journey so you have my sympathy.

I think if it’s plated you can be back to normal much quicker, 4-6 weeks

[Bill]

I can't see that anyone here is going to contradict the doctor who's looked at your x-rays. Driving may be quicker, but it depends on which side and whether manual or auto.

[barryrs]

Mine never healed as I broke my opposite wrist and wasn’t able to rest it enough. As such my simple advice is don’t push it and risk it not healing.

Mine has been in 3 pieces for 10 years and will require a bone graft from my hip to repair it

Doh!

[ian in lancs]

Bill said:

I can't see that anyone here is going to contradict the doctor who's looked at your x-rays. Driving may be quicker, but it depends on which side and whether manual or auto.

Lhs and auto

eta in the X-ray the fracture is clear but I’m interested in the apparent gap between the outer end of the clavicle and what I think is the flat topped bit (scapula?). Does a gap of that size indicate ligament damage?

Edited by ian in lancs on Tuesday 20th July 22:05

[Challo]

I broke my clavicle when I was 16 playing rugby. Took about 10-12 weeks for fix, but mine wasn’t plated so it fused slightly odd so I have a lump on the joint. I dislocated the same shoulder 16 years later and it was a nightmare.

Make sure you follow the advice of the doctor and physio and follow any guidance on exercises and rehabilitation. Not using that shoulder for a while will mean a lot of the smaller muscles become weaker and these need to be strengthened. I didn’t and I still have issues today 5 years on

[Badda]

ian in lancs said:

Lhs and auto

eta in the X-ray the fracture is clear but I’m interested in the apparent gap between the outer end of the clavicle and what I think is the flat topped bit (scapula?). Does a gap of that size indicate ligament damage?

Edited by ian in lancs on Tuesday 20th July 22:05

What did the dr say.

[ian in lancs]

At first and second fracture clinics he wasn’t sure. Large gap yes but damage, tear, stretching etc can’t be seen by X-ray. Overall he was happy with Bone position and now I’m out the sling and have physio exercises. Deltoid is painful and range of movement is painful at ends. I can do leg stuff on gym machines use a static bike and even run but not trying just yet. Back to fracture clinic in four weeks.

[spikeyhead]

I broke mine in my early twenties. It hurt, a lot.

Keep exercising gently, and in a few months go and see a physio to ensure you haven't been left with any shoulder muscle imbalances, otherwise you'll jar it sometime in the future and suffer a dislocation which will hurt, a lot, and keep happening until you see a physio who sorts out the muscle imbalance.