Several weeks ago crashed out in a race, went over the bars basically up then straight down on my left shoulder. Clavicle displaced nearly 2", 1st seven ribs fractured. Hospital ER and docs were mainly concerned with the punctured lung, once that was healed they sent me home. Ortho surgeon just plated the clavicle.
Called around for a clavicle and rib guy, noted orthopedic clinic in my health plan said “we don’t have rib guys.” In fact no one seemed to pay much attention to them, I guess unless it’s a displacement they just let them heal. 7.5 weeks post crash, when I lay down flat and then get up in the morning, the ribs under my arm hurt as if they’ve been bruised. After a while that goes away in normal movements.
But when I do my pt - arm extensions etc - it feels as if the scapula is scraping along the ribs as I lean forward. Not necessarily painful but definitely uncomfortable and not normal. Not looking for a Dx but not even sure what doc to ask about this, whether it’s the ortho (who wasn’t really dealing with that) or some other type of doc?
A bit concerned that my 20+ mph + 200 lbs + gravity impact did more than the docs originally found.
Several weeks ago crashed out in a race, went over the bars basically up then straight down on my left shoulder. Clavicle displaced nearly 2", 1st seven ribs fractured. Hospital ER and docs were mainly concerned with the punctured lung, once that was healed they sent me home. Ortho surgeon just plated the clavicle.
Called around for a clavicle and rib guy, noted orthopedic clinic in my health plan said “we don’t have rib guys.” In fact no one seemed to pay much attention to them, I guess unless it’s a displacement they just let them heal. 7.5 weeks post crash, when I lay down flat and then get up in the morning, the ribs under my arm hurt as if they’ve been bruised. After a while that goes away in normal movements.
But when I do my pt - arm extensions etc - it feels as if the scapula is scraping along the ribs as I lean forward. Not necessarily painful but definitely uncomfortable and not normal. Not looking for a Dx but not even sure what doc to ask about this, whether it’s the ortho (who wasn’t really dealing with that) or some other type of doc?
A bit concerned that my 20+ mph + 200 lbs + gravity impact did more than the docs originally found.
Any thoughts/input/advice appreciated
Go see an ortho specialized in shoulder issues, which should cover both the clavicle and scapula.
Ouch, that sounds like a rough crash. Did you go to physical therapy? I would seek out a PT who can thoroughly assess all the associated joints of your shoulder. With rib fractures and clavicle displacement, you can develop dysfunction at all 4 joints of the shoulder girdle. Dysfunction at any one of these joints is going to affect how your shoulder functions, to include how your scapula sits on your rib cage and how it interacts with your rib cage.
I’m in the same situation as you. Crashed bike at IM Boulder -flew over handlebars. 3 broken ribs, punctured lung and dislocated thumb. Doctors have mostly been concerned with thumb. I’ve only gone to family doctor, and he seems to think ribs and shoulder etc will heal over time and that it isn’t necessary to see a specialist.
Ouch, that sounds like a rough crash. Did you go to physical therapy? I would seek out a PT who can thoroughly assess all the associated joints of your shoulder. With rib fractures and clavicle displacement, you can develop dysfunction at all 4 joints of the shoulder girdle. Dysfunction at any one of these joints is going to affect how your shoulder functions, to include how your scapula sits on your rib cage and how it interacts with your rib cage.
Yeah, it was a rough July… But getting through. I am going to my PT, he’s worked on me for years. I figured out last night I can activate the feeling of rubbing by rolling my shoulders back. Not sure I can explain it well,but he felt it and said some of it is most likely muscles that may have developed some thickening snapping, and the rest is caused by the scapula floating over ribs that may have developed some calcification (?) as they healed. (don’t take any of this as exactly what he said, just my interpretation of it)
If it’s still happening when I go for my ortho follow up i’ll discuss with the surgeon in 3 weeks
have your therapist manipulate your ribs on that side (assuming they are healed) as well as your thoracic spine. it’s likely that they are hypomobile and stuck in the wrong position.
Agree with seeing a shoulder specialist. Unfortunately ribs can take a very long time to heal. It might be worth going back to the dr who plated your clavicle and check to make sure it was put in the proper position. The dr will probably take an x-ray again. I would get a copy of the x-ray and get another opinion. Good luck
Ouch, I feel for you. I crashed out of a race big time last year and ended up with a costochondral separation. No large fractures or lung punctures (thankfully…) but was definitely sidelined for a while. Initially my shoulder was alright…but then out of nowhere one day, ping. Sharp pain side of the shoulder. Impingement would plague me long after the ribs felt better. Went to work on my pec minor and major, which run right over where my issue had been. Almost immediately felt better. Took another set of eyes to see where the faulty movement was coming from, I’d suggest going to a shoulder specialist as well, but also go find a therapist who can assess faulty movement patterns and observe your shoulder.