Recovering from a Fractured Clavicle

[Mark_Robson]

On Tuesday I took a tumble after slipping in the wet and ended up with a fractured collar bone. The good news is that the bike is ok but I'm stuck with a shoulder restraint that stops me from doing just about anything.
My question is, does anyone have any experience of recuperating from this type of injury and how long can I expect to be laid up. The consultant reckons 8 to 12 weeks for a full recovery but I have signed up for the Northern Rock Cyclone on 12th June. Any thoughts?

 

[psmiffy]

Take your time I have had an identical injury and probably overdid it when getting back to being active with the result it has not healed properly - we all read about the pros being back on their bikes in no time at all but they get surgical intervention straight away rather than letting it heal naturally

 

[davidg]

get surgery and back on the turbo in a week!

no seriously take it easy. I fractured my tuberculum majus last year which is probably more serious, but it takes a while and physio is key. Just do what you are comfortably doing and listen to your body and physio/doctor

 

[Mark_Robson]

Thanks for the replies guys, I wonder if this may the excuse that I need to buy a turbo trainer to keep in shape? I should be able to manage that sitting up and only using my good arm.

 

[addictfreak]

Sorry to hear of your misfortune Mark. Hopefully you will be fit for the big one.

 

[Mark_Robson]

Thank's addictfreak. Hopefully I should be fit enough to do it by then.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

i fractured a ligament in my collarbone after a crash. my advice is to beware the lay-off-the-bike advice from the consultant. he kept me off for two months (fair enough) and then wanted to keep me off for two more. i took exception (i could ride without pain) and told him that as cycling was my way of keeping fit that i stood to lose more than gain from such a long lay-off. i also made the point that it was a training crash that could be easily avoided. he then said it was fine for me to ride.

don't be afraid to challenge the consultant.

iirc tyler hamilton rode a full tour de france weeks after breaking a collarbone.

 

[Mark_Robson]

How do you think I would manage with a Turbo trainer Alec?

 

[Bokonon]

I got myself a turbo trainer after breaking my clavicle. I was off the road for 12 weeks and spent the last 4 weeks doing sessions on the turbo. It was incredibly boring, but it kept my strength up - I was able to ride Phil and Friends a week after getting back on the roads.

 

[gavintc]

I had a similar break in late Mar last year. It was early summer before I was back cycling on the bike, but I was able to ride the turbo within about 6 weeks. I was part of a trial for a new procedure to treat collar bones and have been back to the hospital every 3 months for a follow up X ray. The last one was about a month ago and I was quite surprised that even at the 11 month point, the bones had not completely healed, there is still a shadow in between. It does take time.

When I did get back on the bike, I found the vibration from the road did hurt a little and was only able to cope with short rides initially.

 

[Mark_Robson]

Well after three weeks of wearing a shoulder restraint for 24/7 I went back to the fracture clinic today for another x ray and an appointment with the consultant.
The break doesn't look much better on today's xray than it did when the accident happened, which is very very disappointing as I have been very careful to rest the break. I can't drive for at least another three weeks and I now need to start physio. The good news though is that I don't have to wear the shoulder restraint any more and they have given me a collar and cuff to wear when required, which means that I can sleep without anything supporting my shoulder. Most of the bruising has faded now and I only wake my wife and myself up 8 times a night trying to roll onto my left hand side. lol
I am getting quite adept at doing things with my right hand though, I couldn't find my mouth with a fork for the first few days but now I can just about everything right handed.
I am really disappointed that I am not as far down the road to recovery as I had hoped. BUT I'm still aiming to do the Northern Rock Cyclone in June.