True. The last 2ish hours when I was in the ER, I was in a room with 2 old religious Hispanic guys who were alternately trying to get me to pray with them, and going on about how how we all could be worse off because we had a full compliment of limbs and whatnot. While they were undoubtedly correct on that last point, I really just wanted them to STFU.Bummer. Better than ligament damage!
You may have to "hire out" for a bit.And of course, it's my right. And I'm right handed.
The sympathy card could be a winner.You may have to "hire out" for a bit.
Tell them I say thanks. I'm moving around relatively well today, which is good. Slept fine too.That's the suck Hab and good luck on the recovery.I'm sitting here with al and Linton @ the src awards they send there love.
Hopefully they aren't going to make you see if it will heal on it's own. Just get the thing screwed together and be done with it.Broken collarbones suck. Avoid.
The ER people seemed to think that letting it stick itself back together was the better idea, but it's also in 3 distinct and not very well aligned pieces, so I'm sort of skeptical. Need to see an orthopedist, and go from there.Hopefully they aren't going to make you see if it will heal on it's own. Just get the thing screwed together and be done with it.
The Cheese
Nearly everyone I know who's busted collarbones ended up getting plates put in after wasting months waiting for it too heal on it's own. It's one thing if it's just cracked but usually they snap and it's a freakin' mess to try and align the pieces. Thankfully I've never busted collarbones, just ribs.The ER people seemed to think that letting it stick itself back together was the better idea, but it's also in 3 distinct and not very well aligned pieces, so I'm sort of skeptical. Need to see an orthopedist, and go from there.
Why do you think surgery is better than trying to let it heal on it's own?
Interesting. I sort of figured I'd need it when I saw the xrays, since the bits don't line up at all, but the er people seemed to think differently. I'll see what the orthopedist thinks, and go from there. My guess: I'm gonna be a cyborg.surgery is the better long term option and also makes for faster stronger healing
Mine was only in two pieces that were relatively well aligned and in a bad place for surgery (pretty near the shoulder joint) so I saw an orthopod and he said to let it heal w/o surgery... Get that second opinion (i was in the ortho's office 2 days after the break). You'll be very glad you did either way.The ER people seemed to think that letting it stick itself back together was the better idea, but it's also in 3 distinct and not very well aligned pieces, so I'm sort of skeptical. Need to see an orthopedist, and go from there.
Why do you think surgery is better than trying to let it heal on it's own?
Cool. One of the 3 pieces mine's in is really small, and the break is in what I imagine is relatively easy place to operate on, since it's very close to the middle of the bone. I'm definitely going to see an ortho, though for a variety of reasons, I'm probably going to have to wait about a week to do it.Mine was only in two pieces that were relatively well aligned and in a bad place for surgery (pretty near the shoulder joint) so I saw an orthopod and he said to let it heal w/o surgery... Get that second opinion (i was in the ortho's office 2 days after the break). You'll be very glad you did either way.
Just looked in the mirror. My right shoulder's a lot lower than my left one, and my right arm is thus at least an inch longer if they're hanging at my side.I wish they had done surgery on mine. My left arm is now 1.5 inches shorter than my right because it healed incorrectly.
Its not nearly as cool as you think it might be.My guess: I'm gonna be a cyborg.
Yup. I broke mine, along with my shoulder blade in a couple places when I got hit. Apparently they only opted not to do the whole plate and screw thing because they thought that since I was in a coma I wouldn't be moving around too much and it would heal on its own. I recommend the surgery, if mine didn't heal right while I spent 3 weeks on my back out cold, chances are yours isn't going to while your up and about. I recommend chasing vicodin with beer to heal faster.Just looked in the mirror. My right shoulder's a lot lower than my left one, and my right arm is thus at least an inch longer if they're hanging at my side.
Worked for me...I recommend chasing vicodin with beer to heal faster.
great post, excellent picture, would read again.broke mine in 3pcs passed on surgury it healed great
Note to self: No trips requiring an airport with HAB or Mandown.Interesting. I sort of figured I'd need it when I saw the xrays, since the bits don't line up at all, but the er people seemed to think differently. I'll see what the orthopedist thinks, and go from there. My guess: I'm gonna be a cyborg.
Meh, in 8 years of riding this is the first time I've hurt myself badly. I think I'm doing pretty well.Note to self: No trips requiring an airport with HAB or Mandown.
Durr... slow on the uptake this morning.I was referring to having to go through a metal detector
That sucks though dude. I have known a few people that have broken collarbones and I hear it's right up there with ribs.
Thanks for the info. Mine's not that bad, but it's not very well lined up either. How was the recovery time as far as day to day stuff goes? My car's a manual, so driving's kind of an issue, etc.HAB, I am sorry bro, that sucks! painful injury for sure! The docs at the ER were like "no big deal" even though the bones were doing everything they could to pop themselves out of the skin.
this pic was taken 2 days after the break on my way to the Orthopedic docs office.
he said "we normally don't do anything with these and just let them heal themselves"... "but" he looks at me again and says "let me take a look at these x-rays"... pauses and said "thats not really an option, you have 1 bone that has turned into 5 pieces of bone and it will never line up right!" and he scheduled surgery.
before
after
I would say get the surgery, if it is an option, you will be back on the bike in ~8 weeks... there are some things that suck about it like wearing a back pack or camelback can rub the wrong way where the plate sticks out slightly which is irritating. But for the most part I wouls say surgery will get you back quicker.
Broke mine twice and never got surgery. I am very glad that I let it just heal with no plates.Nearly everyone I know who's busted collarbones ended up getting plates put in after wasting months waiting for it too heal on it's own. It's one thing if it's just cracked but usually they snap and it's a freakin' mess to try and align the pieces. Thankfully I've never busted collarbones, just ribs.
The Cheese