Broken clavicle - should we cancel our bike trip?

[TrekTheKaty]

My DH thinks it's would be fine--but he may not have pain receptors either. Of course, only with clearance from the doctor--preferably a sports specialist.

[emily_in_nc]

Let's see, wasn't he racing just six weeks after breaking his collarbone?

So sorry to hear about your DH. Mine broke his collarbone in a cycling accident years ago. I know he wouldn't have felt comfortable doing a LONG ride like that just a month out. I had to mow the lawn for him all summer. Lawn-mowing does use the upper body more than cycling, but anyone who says you don't use your upper body climbing is either crazy or riding a recumbent!

I guess that's a thought...wonder if he could borrow, rent, or buy a used recumbent for the ride, if you really don't want to cancel? Under-seat steering wouldn't bother the clavicle, but a fall onto that side would. I wouldn't chance it.

[OakLeaf]

Aw, sorry to hear about your DH. Sending healing vibes!

+1 on taking a wait-and-see approach. Find out now what your travel insurance's limits are, and I guess it would be courteous to find out whether there's a waiting list for the trip itself.

You'll know a lot more after he sees the ortho, but even so, every individual will heal at a different rate and have a different tolerance for pain. I think there's a reasonable chance that he'll be able to ride - and a reasonable chance that he won't. So the longer he can postpone the decision, the better chance you both will have of making a decision you won't regret.

[AnnieBikes]

I broke mine, had the figure 8 strap and had lots of pain for about a week to 10 days. That is how long the DR. said it would take for the bones to get "sticky" and quit moving every time I did. It healed with a bump but that has gone away over time. I wanted to ride a Rail-Trail 60 miler 4 weeks later but I could not do it! It was just too sore. I agree with all others...it is so very disappointing and I am really sorry that it happened...but time will heal and then he can ride again without pain. I have never had any problems since and was glad that I took the time it needed. I was riding in 8 weeks without a problem. Good luck to you both. You can reschedule the trip better than trying to do it with a healing fracture. Then you would be worrying all the time about his falling, too, not fun. My arm was weaker afterwards, too.

Good luck and speedy healing to your hubby.

[Tokie]

Got a call from my favorite ortho MD. DH's clavicle is so severely broken and out of alignment that he will need a surgery with a 4 to 5 inch incision over his shoulder and an overnight stay in the hospital for pain control. Good news is that we were to remove the figure 8 immobilizer, as it was putting direct pressure over one of the fractured ends of the clavicle - bad for the bone. He is now only in a sling, with less pain, but still pretty sore. surgery is also needed to prevent the shoulder from "shortening" due to the way the bones are overlapped.

[smilingcat]

ouch. I wish him speedy recovery. And do tell him to take it easy until the bones starts to get sticky.

[msincredible]

Got a call from my favorite ortho MD. DH's clavicle is so severely broken and out of alignment that he will need a surgery with a 4 to 5 inch incision over his shoulder and an overnight stay in the hospital for pain control. Good news is that we were to remove the figure 8 immobilizer, as it was putting direct pressure over one of the fractured ends of the clavicle - bad for the bone. He is now only in a sling, with less pain, but still pretty sore. surgery is also needed to prevent the shoulder from "shortening" due to the way the bones are overlapped.

Sorry to hear that Tokie.

At least you know it will heal cleanly after the surgery.

[OakLeaf]

Owie.

Hope the surgery goes well and his recovery is quick and complete!