Recovering from Clavicle fracture

surge98b · Post by **surge98b** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 12:15 pm

Monday a dog ran out from behind a fence and took me down on bicycle before I could react. I was doin 22MPH and went over the handlebars. Shattered clavicle. I'll be out 6 weeks at least. Has anyone recovered from one of these? I have different advice from different Drs. Right now I'm wearing the figure 8 device. It seems to alighn OK. It pushes down on the fracture site though.

Boss Man · Post by **Boss Man** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 12:36 pm

What have you been told from these different sources?

surge98b · Post by **surge98b** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 3:33 pm

I've had one doc say to immobilize it. One said to use the figure 8. Several threads on fitness forums say to let the muscles align it on their own.

swanso5 · Post by **swanso5** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 8:08 pm

go to a good rehab specialist and do only what they say

for mine i'd probably immobilise w/out the brace then rehab it back to alignment

Boss Man · Post by **Boss Man** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 4:53 pm

In that case, the Brace is looking like the obvious solution right now, but you should see an Osteopath, or possibly a Chiropractor.

swanso5 · Post by **swanso5** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 6:07 pm

the muscles need to be strengthen to pull him back into place, a brace wonlt do that...it may pull him back into place but now the muscles are short/tight and long/weak causing further problems down the track

Boss Man · Post by **Boss Man** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 6:59 pm

That might be happening yes, but I am not 100% certain if he said the Brace was a Dr reccomendation, or just something he personally thought might help.

I presumed a Dr had said that, which is why I didn't want to be too quick to say, screw the Doc who said.

surge98b · Post by **surge98b** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 12:36 pm

The brace was recommended by sports medicine Dr. He is an orthopedic surgeon. He is old school though. The brace feels like it pulls to much. It feels and looks like it will heal best with no brace. I had worked very hard for 16 monthes and have very solid, muscular shoulders. The brace seems to be recommended more for young and out of shape persons. muscles seem to hold it in place pretty good. I'm just using the brace during sleep right now.

Boss Man · Post by **Boss Man** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:08 pm

Then in that case it seems mroe clear now, using it for sleep purposes is okay, but perhaps not during the day.

surge98b · Post by **surge98b** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 4:57 pm

Update: I've been keeping the figure 8 on and tight. Seems to working ok. Movement in fracture area is less. Did 60 min on bike in mag resistance stand today. Feels good. I can tell shoulder is going to be sore from it.

surge98b · Post by **surge98b** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:01 pm

The 8 definately worked. Went to the doctor yesterday and clavicle is perfectly aligned and healing nicely. Kept it on for 1st month.

Boss Man · Post by **Boss Man** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:47 pm

Good to know.

Mustangs80 · Post by **Mustangs80** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 7:32 pm

Good to know you're on the right track. I unfortunately fractured clavicle late last year. Healed up perfectly with a noticeably bump.

However, considering you're 45, it won't heal well enough in 6 weeks. You'll be able to use it in 6 weeks, but expect to fully function with range and power in at least 12 weeks after the break. Good luck, I know the first couple of days must've sucked.