Had my first post-op follow-up today with the Ortho. He was very pleasantly surprised that I was out of the sling and off the meds already - which both occured just a few days after the surgery (two weeks ago).
He did tell me that the break was much worse than they originally thought, it was fractured FIVE times - including two fragments that they basically had to "chicken wire" back together. Nice!
Finally got a digital pic of my post-op installation to share.
It's not perfectly aligned, but he said it should be just fine long-term.
Can start the non-impact exercise now (stationary bike, elliptical, etc), but no outside riding for at least another month. I shouldn't run for another month, but pain will be my guide on that if I want to before that. Also no swimming for 3-4 months (no big loss for me there, as I'm not a fan any way).
Hey Scott, congrats you've got a collarbone injury as a cyclist, that's like punching your pro card! Seriously, sorry to hear about your accident. I hope you heal quickly.
Side note: 5 years back my buddy had the same injury and elected not to get the surgery, he stayed with me while he was healing and he showed his bump to a bunch of my friends. Trust me... chicks do NOT dig the quadimodo bump!
Had another post-op follow up today, and it appears that the stainless steel pin inserted into my collar bone has broke. Yes, you heard that right...BROKE! (Check out the pic).
Gotta see if it holds long enough for the bone to start calcifying (again). If not, another surgery, for a plate and screws!!
Wish I had some great story to tell you on how it happened, but I don't. I cannot recall anything that would've caused it.
My doc has said that I am allowed to do anything that pain allows, so I've been riding and running for months. Even after he saw yesterday's xray, I'm still allowed.
And I'm also doing PT, not because I have to but because I want to make sure I don't lose any range of motion, flexibility or strength. So my PT has had me doing some stuff above shoulder height, yes.
It doesn't hurt, the bump ("stepoff" between the ends of the bone) are a a little steeper than they used to be, and I've still got almost full range of motion, but it's just felt a little "off" the last week or so.
I've got another follow-up in six weeks to assess it. Honestly, I'd rather just get another surgery done now so I can be on the mend (again) already! So frustrating! The doc said he wouldn't use a pin in 'bigger' guys any more, only plate and screws. This is after my friend Todd, had to go back (same doc) and go with plate and screws after the pin didn't seat correctly, but that happened within days of the initial surgery, not months like me.
Reason asked about above shoulder activities is because once the arm passes shoulder height the clavicle begins to rotate. Rotational forces(torsion) place high demands on healing bones
Just got back from my ortho's office (yet again). This Thursday morning I’ll be going under the knife (again) to remove the broken pin in my collar bone, and replace it with a plate and screws (and probably some cadaver bone grafts).
I’ll have some even more gnarly x-rays and scars and I’m keeping the broken pin as a memento. I'll make sure to post pics for all to see!
First post(2nd)-op follow-up today with my Ortho. Whatcha think? How does it look?
Can start on the stationary trainer again (oh so difficult when it's still nice weather outside). And I'll probably even run as long as I don't fall (like that's ever the plan!).
Next follow up in a month. PT after that I hope.
Gnarly scar on my shoulder too, maybe I'll post pics of that too sometime!
Comments
Had my first post-op follow-up today with the Ortho. He was very pleasantly surprised that I was out of the sling and off the meds already - which both occured just a few days after the surgery (two weeks ago).
He did tell me that the break was much worse than they originally thought, it was fractured FIVE times - including two fragments that they basically had to "chicken wire" back together. Nice!
Finally got a digital pic of my post-op installation to share.
It's not perfectly aligned, but he said it should be just fine long-term.
Can start the non-impact exercise now (stationary bike, elliptical, etc), but no outside riding for at least another month. I shouldn't run for another month, but pain will be my guide on that if I want to before that. Also no swimming for 3-4 months (no big loss for me there, as I'm not a fan any way).
Side note: 5 years back my buddy had the same injury and elected not to get the surgery, he stayed with me while he was healing and he showed his bump to a bunch of my friends. Trust me... chicks do NOT dig the quadimodo bump!
Had another post-op follow up today, and it appears that the stainless steel pin inserted into my collar bone has broke. Yes, you heard that right...BROKE! (Check out the pic).
Gotta see if it holds long enough for the bone to start calcifying (again). If not, another surgery, for a plate and screws!!
I'm just having a stellar year!
My doc has said that I am allowed to do anything that pain allows, so I've been riding and running for months. Even after he saw yesterday's xray, I'm still allowed.
And I'm also doing PT, not because I have to but because I want to make sure I don't lose any range of motion, flexibility or strength. So my PT has had me doing some stuff above shoulder height, yes.
It doesn't hurt, the bump ("stepoff" between the ends of the bone) are a a little steeper than they used to be, and I've still got almost full range of motion, but it's just felt a little "off" the last week or so.
I've got another follow-up in six weeks to assess it. Honestly, I'd rather just get another surgery done now so I can be on the mend (again) already! So frustrating!
The doc said he wouldn't use a pin in 'bigger' guys any more, only plate and screws. This is after my friend Todd, had to go back (same doc) and go with plate and screws after the pin didn't seat correctly, but that happened within days of the initial surgery, not months like me.
well I would say you either need to drink less or drink left handed
Just got back from my ortho's office (yet again). This Thursday morning I’ll be going under the knife (again) to remove the broken pin in my collar bone, and replace it with a plate and screws (and probably some cadaver bone grafts).
I’ll have some even more gnarly x-rays and scars and I’m keeping the broken pin as a memento. I'll make sure to post pics for all to see!
Wow Scott this just won't end. Sorry to hear about another surgery. At least you will have a broken pin memento.
Good luck with the plate and screws.
Gordon
First post(2nd)-op follow-up today with my Ortho. Whatcha think? How does it look?
Can start on the stationary trainer again (oh so difficult when it's still nice weather outside). And I'll probably even run as long as I don't fall (like that's ever the plan!).
Next follow up in a month. PT after that I hope.
Gnarly scar on my shoulder too, maybe I'll post pics of that too sometime!
@ Scott, well you shouldn't be able to break that, for sure
good luck in your recovery