Ended up with a left, mid-clavicle comminuted break (just a couple extra fragments), non-displaced, but maybe a touch angulated. Wearing a figure 8 strap plus use a sling at times. Swelling has gone down in the shoulder region about 90%. Still treating severe abrasion injury on the shoulder and knee. It is one thing to washout in a turn. Entirely different hitting a sunken depression in the asphalt next to a manhole cover at 33.7 mph driving a 56x11 on the aerobars. These wounds are still oozing.
Didn’t do anything the day after. On the third day, a short walk. Been walking everyday since. Monday walked 3 miles. Yesterday 4. Today will be 5. Certainly will hit around 25 miles this week walking. Also started riding the Nishiki on the trainer. Have a 3 week trainer program I’ll do that I got off this cyclist’s web page. I have two thick phone books under the front wheel and use the sling for additional support.
I had been training for the Full Vineman and was approaching excellent form. This has been tough!
My questions: when will I be able to swim again? Am affraid I will lose a lot of strength and fitness. For upper body strength, was doing around 300 pushups, 300 cord pulls and 180 situps a week (in addition to lots of paddle work in the pool).
I figure that with a proper trainer program, I won’t lose too much on the bike in the next 6 weeks. Ditto for the run if I am walking 30 miles or so a week.
But the swim?
Also, here is a link to the best info I could find concerning clavicle breaks.
I know for my bad break, it took the whole season (mine happened in May, and I was out the whole season). It took over a year before I could do backstroke without pain. But mine was a 3-piece break, with the outer part split down the middle. Yours may be less.
I’d say to let the doc tell you when you can start swimming again. His advice may be nothing more than “let pain be your guide”, but at least it’s official.
I’ve been through this. Broke my clavicle in 3 places and was told to keep my shoulder as still as possible until the bone healed. I was a new and too eager triathlete though and was spinning within days, tried running within a week (luckily, it still hurt and I stopped) and was in the pool doing kick sets in a few weeks. I admit that I didn’t really listen to the doctor. Guess what? Because of all my activity (probably) my clavicle healed but with “non-union.” I have a huge bump of bone where the clavicle healed sticking out of my chest; it’s probably bigger than my small boobs. I also have an extra joint now–in my clavicle. For a few years this area would hurt a bit after my swims but it doesn’t anymore. I was hot into training for my first ironman and couldn’t not train. My advice: don’t do anything that will move your shoulder until it’s healed. If you’re lucky you might be able to do the Vineman. You can spin, maybe run later…I wouldn’t swim until you’re healed–keep up the strength with swim cords on your good arm on dry land. If you’re healed by the time of the tri, do it, and don’t worry about a slow swim time. There are loads of triathlons to do and years to do them. The best thing would be to find one later in the year and do it instead. Cali-Man? Have the patience I didn’t and get a good heal!
I’ve had 3 broken clavicles and a 3rd degree AC seperation and I’m an MD for what it’s worth.
You can probably start swimming again in 6-8 weeks but it will likely be a little uncomfortable for awhile. Err on the side of more time. Use pain as your guide.