Hi all,
Great thread, so I am contributing to the learning/database of clavicle treatment/outcomes. I am a 50 year old male.
My story is June 28th, 2017 I was ambushed by a dog causing me to high side going 25mph, landing on my head, knocked out cold, awakening to three joggers standing overhead telling me I was alright and an ambulance was on its way. My clavicle was snapped, with a break point clearly stuck up into a fair sized trapezius muscle.
The first orthopedic I saw said that despite the large separation, there was little shortening of the length of the shoulder, and therefore we should wait and see before making a decision on surgery. If there is little shortening of the shoulder, non-surgical healing is preferred route by most doctors. Well my shoulder was not shortening because the bone was jammed up into the muscle (think of a knife jammed into a meaty steak), and so my shoulder was not going anywhere. And I thought, hmmm, looks to me like this break should be realigned, I mean it was really broken, and I am really active (5X ironman finishes, and assorted other ultra activities) which seemed to make no difference to the doctor. So I sought a second opinion.
The second orthopedic said, yep, that looks like that break should be corrected with surgery, but let’s wait a few days and see if it moves. So I waited over the July 4th weekend with a bone tip knife sticking into my trap (arghhh) thinking, for sure surgery. That was until a friend shared me a picture of the plate and screws that went in to his collarbone break - and then I thought - Whoooaaa - what is that?!!! Suddenly this was a much bigger decision.
After a great holiday weekend, I went back to both doctors. I saw the second orthopedic first. We took another picture, and he said, "Yep, surgery, and I have time tomorrow morning, let’s get it done." I said "Ok" - I mean what else I am supposed to say. Then I drove myself to the other doctor, we took another picture, and he said, "Yep, you look good, and I think surgery is going to be a step back in your recovery." Truth was I was already feeling good (already using a power spray washing and leaf blower over the weekend with arm in a sling). I said "Ok, are you sure?" He said "Yep, we can always cut later." I said "Ok" and left.
Contemplating this a bit, I concluded that the bottom line was: I was going to have a great recovery either way. I was strong (a dozen pull-ups no problem, regular workouts with 70lb+ dumbbells no problem, 100 pushups no problem, etc.) But which way to go? I opted to keep my surgical appointment - I figured over the long haul - I wanted that bone aligned properly, and I did not want to risk a non-union (that is when the bone does not grow back together) as I knew that in order to heal back together naturally, then bone would somehow have to connect through the trapezius, and that looked wrong. And if I had the surgery later after a non-union, this would be a much more drawn out thing - and I am anxious to return to full power.
It is now eight weeks post surgery - and did I make the right decision? Well, like I say, I know I will make a strong recovery - but - I cannot wait to get the plate and screws out - and that is why I am on this thread. The stiffness and inflexibility the plate and screws impart right now is really something. I can best describe it as feeling like a big stiff metal bug attached to my shoulder (it looks like that too). And until I get that metal bug off me, I am not going to feel right - how could I? So this thread was helpful to me, hearing others experience, and giving me some confidence that getting that metal bug off my shoulder will return me to feeling more like myself. Of course its still early, but that is what I am feeling today. As of right now, I am finally getting some range of movement going working with super light weights and breast stroke swimming to get things moving again.
Tomorrow, I will meet with the doctor again, take a picture, at which time I intend to ask him for an appointment to remove the metal bug at the earliest date possible. With that on the calendar, I will continue to rehab and move forward, but I want to meet that day soon, expecting that there will not be a material change in the way I feel about the stiff metal bug on my shoulder. And I am not going to wait a year, in fact I think we get the bug out as soon as we see the fracture is well healed. In my mind, I don't see any reason for the bone and tissue connect at, or around, the plate and screws. Get that bug out! I will be taking it relatively easy as I can, although I am now back on my daily bike commute to work, and activity just has a way of creeping into my life. But once the metal bug is out, I intend to wrap it in some strength and muscle for further protection and be as careful as I can on the bike.
I will report back if/when/after I get the metal bug removed. For those new to researching this injury and recovery, I have found there is no easy answer with this one. The good news is, it’s a collar bone. And if you broke it, you can finally count yourself among "real"cyclists because it’s apparently a rite of passage. If you want more information on recovery, I intend to post a more detailed story that tracks my specific exercises I do (as it looks like people really need and learn from others and I cannot find good instruction of recovery exercises) at
http://www.jonsabes.com. Good luck!