Broken collarbone - what to do??

[adkoch]

Last Saturday was my pinnacle of the year - my first Ironman race. After a good cold swim and a loooong transition, I was off to the toughest bike course I had ever ridden. The race was in east/central Washington (state) - with the Coulee Dam crossing as the main draw. I was in the midst of that crossing in the final mile of the bike when I lost my focus concerning how much of an angle to approach a seam in the pavement that was parallel to my bike and was whipped to the ground in an instant. I am now faced with a healing process of 8-10 weeks and am approaching insanity. I just know that I cannot maintain my level of fitness, but I would prefer to stay as active as I could so that I do not put on a bunch of weight for winter. I haven't tried, but I may be able to do some leg exercises (extensions, presses, squats). Any other ideas???

Luckily, I will outlast this one and am signed up for next year's IM in Wisconsin. I am greatful the injuries weren't to a greater extent, as I now need a new helmet, as well...

~Angie

[Irulan]

what about elliptical, stationary bike, stuff like that?

just wondering


Irulan

[jobob]

Poor Angie!

I'm so impressed with your determination - if it were me I'd probably be camped on the couch being consoled by my good friends Ben & Jerry :rolleyes:

[adkoch]

I tried the eliptical once - it seems I am too uncoordinated not to have to use my arms. The stationary bike might just be what I need, though - thanks for the thought!

I took a 2-mile walk/jaunt this afternoon and can tell I overdid it a tad. The muscles surrounding those bones like to give a little tug here and there to let me know.

In the last two days, I have cleared a pint of the lowfat Cherry Garcia. No more trips to the grocery store for me!!!

~Angie

[smurfalicious]

Ooooh man that is such a bummer! My brother used to race motocross and broke his collar bone at least three times. He called me in tears one day, "Hillary, they're never gonna let me race again!" Yeah, that stopped him. Fortunately Mtn View Race Track was spitting distance from the local hospital, that conveniently my father works at. The nurses would just call him and tell him Travis was in for whatever.

I'm not sure what he did because he was way into weights and such. I suppose other than going so walks, light jogs, have you considered water aerobics? Don't laugh I used to take them and it rocked! My class was lead by a guy, and he didn't wear ugly spandex or make us listen to bad music. He was way into upper body, but they have the belts that you could use, and then you can take it easy on the arms, and upper body. I got out of the water wobbly the first time, the warm water is kinda up there with heated hatha yoga, warms the muscles, let's um work easier. Aaaanyway.

love and cookies
-smurf

[MightyMitre]

Bad luck Angie - sounds horrible.

I think the stationary bike could be a good option. At least you'll be able to get your heart rate up with very little jarring on your shoulder.

Last winter one of our best riders in our club broke his collar bone on some ice on a Club run one Sunday morning in January. Everyone was sympathic as well as a certain amount of playful teasing, saying his season would be off to a slow start.

He used the home trainer to keep his legs spinning and although he'd lost some fitness, once the bone was healed he was back to usual training, giving the rest of us a sound beating in every race:D

[slinkedog]

I'm so sorry about your injury! How bad is the break? Are you in a sling or brace or anything like that?

My husband broke his collarbone in a track race (totally broke it in half) before we were married. He had to do nothing for a while (he broke some ribs, as well) but he was able to ride his trainer and do leg presses at the gym after a relatively short period of time.

I hope you heal quickly!!

[adkoch]

Thanks for all the suggestions - AND the stories!!! It's good to hear about other bikers that have been through this and are back in the saddle!!! I LOVE H2O aerobics (not as much as biking, of course!), so I'll have to check out the schedule...

The break is complete and the two pieces are not on the same alignment track, yet. Orthopede says he doesn't want to pin them, but allow them to heal naturally. I say 'who cares' about the scar - just make it right! I just worry about that 'small percentage' of people whose bones never grow back together and they continue to experience pain the rest of their lives. So far, I'm not off to that encouraging of a start.

I'm wearing a harness that improves my posture and only take it off when I attempt to shower. I was only successful this morning at not nearly passing out since I have a new sling to hold my arm while washing my hair. Funny how it was the Occ Health nurse's suggestion - not my doctor's...

~Angie

[Veronica]

Take it easy for a little bit Angie! :p Geez do you think you're Tyler Hamiliton. Seriously, I hope you get on the mend soon.

Veronica

[Cdalekat]

I'm not sure why your ortho is refusing to fix the break. Even if the ends aren't joined, they must be in aliagnment.

I've had surgery for a broken collar bone.
And then the second surgery to remove the screws and plate (trust me - this will be necessary), which is another 6 weeks down.

Wishing you quick healing!

[doc]

Don't rush to surgery. There is an old medical saying about broken clavicles (collar bones) "If both ends are in the same room, they will heal". Remember mother nature knows a hell of alot more than orthopaedists do. If yours is suggesting to allow it to heal on its own, then he's probably right. Surgery is a major injury itself.
And yes, nurses, physical therapists, and all sorts of medical support people will have great ideas that the doctors don't know. Ask them for help. They are experienced with the day to day issues related to injury.
Good luck and quick healing!

[slinkedog]

My husband also had a complete break and did not have them pinned. He's healed up just fine. He does have a little lump where the break was, but it's not really noticeable.

[adkoch]

Thanks, ladies! I revisit the Ortho on Friday for another set of Xrays and I'm keeping an open mind... I will probably trust this guy's opinion, since he was successful in treating my tendonitis last year that I thought would end my running. In the meantime, just trying to deal and relax my body and mind...

~Angie

[pkq]

Ouch! Hope you mend quickly. Sounds like a good time for lower body X-training.

[adkoch]

Thanks. I saw the Ortho today and I'm going ahead with the procedure to pin the bones. I still have a pointy bone fragment sticking out that is pretty painful, so we'll see what he can do about that. Recovery time post procedure: 6-8 weeks. Brutal.

I wish it were the dead of winter instead of my favorite time of the year to bike. Oh well!!!!

~Angie

[pkq]

adkoch, I've noted in my life I rarely get what I want. When I do, as a result, I'm usually very happy.

The time will pass quicker than you expect, if you keep yourself busy. Sounds like it's better to heal right than not at all. And just think of how fast you'll be next year with all the pent up frustration pushing you. Good thing I can't do tri's; I'd hate to compete against you. LOL