Here's my recent timeline.
9/22/22 - cut off by a car, went flying. Concussion, two broken ribs, broken scapula, and shattered is the best way to describe my collarbone. Broken in 6 places, two pieces pulverized.
9/29/22 - Surgery - proud owner of a plate and 8 screws
Wore a sling full time until my 10 day post op appointment
10/10 - was allowed to start walking outside. I was told I could ride the trainer as long as I could tolerate the pressure of leaning on the handlebars. Absolutely not allowed to ride outside.
10/16 - got on the trainer for the first time
11/11 is the first time I was allowed to run
12/15 was when I was released to get back in the pool (and had to start with basically all kicking, drills, and 1 arm stuff)
At my 2/22/23 follow up, my collarbone still has a giant fracture in it due to the severity of the break and the fact that pieces pulverized (I learned that a comminuted fracture can take up to and over a year to heal). Despite that, I was released to ride back outside, but only road. No gravel or mountain (which I don't do, so no problem).
I didn't ride outside until March 6th. When I did, I could feel the vibration of the road through my handlebars into my shoulder, and while it didn't hurt, it's not all that comfortable. Hitting a bump was NOT fun. I am also still kind of terrified to get back out there.
I'm just about to hit 6 months from my surgery. I'm still in PT once a week, and will be through the end of April. I still have range of motion deficits. I still can't lift at my normal level. My swim has changed because of the ROM restrictions - my body rotation has had to compensate for my arm not being able to do the normal ROM. I haven't ridden outside again (a) because our weather sucks and b) because I'll get a better workout on the trainer right now).
That said, I have my first triathlon scheduled for mid-May. I'm allowed to race it, and I don't have any external restrictions on what I'm allowed to do. My restrictions are all based on "I just can't do that yet." My surgeon asked last time what I want to do that I can't - the best thing I can say right now is that I can do everything I want - I just can't do all of it to my normal level or without pain/discomfort all the time.
I know I'm more on the extreme side of things (my surgeon is a fellow triathlete, so he wasn't being super restrictive because he doesn't get it). But that's my story.
9/22/22 - cut off by a car, went flying. Concussion, two broken ribs, broken scapula, and shattered is the best way to describe my collarbone. Broken in 6 places, two pieces pulverized.
9/29/22 - Surgery - proud owner of a plate and 8 screws
Wore a sling full time until my 10 day post op appointment
10/10 - was allowed to start walking outside. I was told I could ride the trainer as long as I could tolerate the pressure of leaning on the handlebars. Absolutely not allowed to ride outside.
10/16 - got on the trainer for the first time
11/11 is the first time I was allowed to run
12/15 was when I was released to get back in the pool (and had to start with basically all kicking, drills, and 1 arm stuff)
At my 2/22/23 follow up, my collarbone still has a giant fracture in it due to the severity of the break and the fact that pieces pulverized (I learned that a comminuted fracture can take up to and over a year to heal). Despite that, I was released to ride back outside, but only road. No gravel or mountain (which I don't do, so no problem).
I didn't ride outside until March 6th. When I did, I could feel the vibration of the road through my handlebars into my shoulder, and while it didn't hurt, it's not all that comfortable. Hitting a bump was NOT fun. I am also still kind of terrified to get back out there.
I'm just about to hit 6 months from my surgery. I'm still in PT once a week, and will be through the end of April. I still have range of motion deficits. I still can't lift at my normal level. My swim has changed because of the ROM restrictions - my body rotation has had to compensate for my arm not being able to do the normal ROM. I haven't ridden outside again (a) because our weather sucks and b) because I'll get a better workout on the trainer right now).
That said, I have my first triathlon scheduled for mid-May. I'm allowed to race it, and I don't have any external restrictions on what I'm allowed to do. My restrictions are all based on "I just can't do that yet." My surgeon asked last time what I want to do that I can't - the best thing I can say right now is that I can do everything I want - I just can't do all of it to my normal level or without pain/discomfort all the time.
I know I'm more on the extreme side of things (my surgeon is a fellow triathlete, so he wasn't being super restrictive because he doesn't get it). But that's my story.
Last edited by:
IronScholar: Mar 27, 23 12:18