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Unknown trail so my own fault for going full bore. Over jump, clipped tree stump and boom I’m on my side struggling to breathe. Result is badly broken collarbone (doc said I’ve done a proper job) and bruised ribs. Got a sling and painkillers, thought it’d need operating on but he said they’ll only do that if it doesn’t fuse together.
Any tips on recovery welcome
Healing vibes, but we need to know if the bike is ok? 😀
Welcome to the club. There are two types of cyclists those who have broken their collar bone and those who have yet to.
Tip is paracetamol and a sling that’s better than the Nhs ones!
Oh forgot about the bike. The seat is knackered but didn’t really look at it due to the pain. In a mates garage at the minute so will check it over later this week
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Yeah, that’s broken.
Healing vibes OP
I’d get a second opinion myself.
That looks more smashed than broken.
If you have private health cover go see your GP on Monday and get referred to a specialist. They will give you an expert opinion, one based on what's best for you, not what's best for the NHS budget.
I second the advice for private treatment. I mangled mine in a similar fashion 23yrs ago. I knew it was bad when I could hear the x ray guys calling their work colleagues in to check out my photo. A specialist looked at it a few days later and basically said "it'll be reet"
I now have ongoing neck and back pain, regular physio appt's and wish my younger self had pressed for it to be pinned. Ah well, NHS budgets have always existed.
Thanks for the advice. Got to see the fracture specialist this week so I’ll see what they say.
its not just budgetry. There is genuinely differences of opinion and from what I have read the data on collar and cuff sling, figure of eight support and plating for most cases is not definitive,
Personally I would go for a figure of eight support as thats what I had when I did mine and it worked decently.
I was with a chap who did his in Russia a while back - he was put in a full arm spica cast - thats a plaster jacket with a sleeve that holds your arm away from the body!
My mate had his broken - into 3 pieces on the right hand side. They played his with quite a long piece of metal a few years ago. He still hasn’t had it taken out - they said it was optional. He finds back pack straps rub on the screws and it can get a little bit sore. He doesn’t want time off the bike to have the plate removed though.
edit - he’d previously broken his collar bone on the other side and that was left to repair naturally and he’s got a funny lump where it fixed itself not quite lined up properly.
Ouch! Good luck with the healing.
Did mine three months ago, not as bad as yours but closer to the shoulder, which can apparently slow healing.
Consultant originally recommended trying to heal without plating, but with regular follow ups to review that decision. He then buggered off on holiday and all my reviews were with trainee registrar types...
Long story short, after three months it hasn't 'healed' although I'm largely pain free and riding (road...) again. Finally saw original consultant again last week who admitted NHS is poor at identifying those cases were a natural heal is unlikey and where it is likely, although he did say 4 out 5 heal fine without plating, so it feels in some ways like they are just gambling on those odds.
Frustratingly if I had surgery now it would mean ANOTHER 4 weeks in a sling as they have to cut through a lot of muscle. Wife has already been patient enough with me dodging baby duties for most of the last three months so surgery just isn't a realistic option at this time.
If I were you I would play the NHS's game for the first couple of weeks. If you don't see any evidence of healing on X-Ray after 4 weeks (I didn't...) then push for the surgery. Wish I had...
Based on experience I'd be pushing to get that plated.
If you have private health cover go see your GP on Monday
You've not had to try and get a GP appointment any time in the last 10 years or so I assume. 🤣
Hard luck OP. Get well soon.
You’ve not had to try and get a GP appointment any time in the last 10 years or so I assume. 🤣
Yes I have. The hard part is getting through on the phone to book an appointment!
My GPs are easy to be seen the next day if you want. Open surgery in the mornings. appointments available at a few days notice