Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

Just looking for anyone who has had this experience. I broke my collarbone midshaft. It's forked and displaced. It's been about three weeks and there is no sign of it trying to union. It's uncomfortable but manageable, almost basic functioning with meds.
I've been advised by my MD to get it pinned, or face weeks of uncertainty of it healing on it own. I would really like to get back in my boat and on my bike ASAP. I have decent insurance and can afford the surgery.
What gets me second guessing myself is how manageable the discomfort seems to be, especially when medicated.
Anyone have any stories to offer?

I have a friend who broke his collarbone similarly a few months ago and his doctor said it would never heal correctly without a plate. He has a Ti plate and six screws holding his in alignment and it's healing fine and he's had relatively little pain. From what I know about it I'd certainly get it plated or pinned.

Here is my story. Bottom line, I would listen to your Doc and get the thing fixed now as opposed to having to go thru another healing process.

Back in my misspent youth I rode motorcycles. Doing jumps I screwed up and hit the ground. Broke my top front teeth, scraped the hide off right side of my face and broke my collar bone. Doc did not put me in a cast for the collar bone just a thing called a figure 8 sling. Told me to take it easy and the bone was pretty much lined up and would heal. I did not take it easy and went back several weeks later. Had some pain and X Ray showed the fracture had opened up like a hinge outward and was knitting on parts of the bone. Doc gave me a verbal beat down and like your Doc, said I had two options. Re break and go with a cast or hope it would heal in such a way I could live with it. I choose to re break and do it right. Doc asked how tough I was. I said no need for a shot lets go for it. Doc had a big guy assistant who got behind me and put a big bear hug on me. Doc put a pad across the break and positioned his hand over the break, the assistant then put his bear hug grip over the Doc's hands. Doc said every one ready, Go! I was setting on the edge of the exam table, almost instant passed out, woke up laying flat on my back. Doc peering into my face. More x rays and I ended up in a full shoulder collar bone right hand crossed across my chest like civilian salute to the flag. It took a really long time to heal, 6 to 8 weeks. I was driving a VW floor shift micro bus at the time. Some how learned to bend at the hips, hold the steering wheel with the cast, reach across and under and shift the gears with my left hand. It was a learning experience as the Doc fixed me up so nothing moved in the collar bone area. I learned to write with my left hand (I was a computer programmer at the time and we wrote out code on paper sheets) and only took tub baths - which was the pits for me.

My advice is to do what the Doc advises and get the break fixed right ASAP and go through only one long healing period. After the second heal, my collar bone was good to go.

get it fixed. it's a relatively simple surgery as far as surgeries go. a non-union can leave you with a big lump of a deformity and possibly be a source of continued pain. the clavicle is the "strut" for the shoulder complex. most paddlers i know need good shoulders. best of luck.

I work in Orthopedic surgery. Don't see any good reason not to get it pinned. Less than an hour surgery. Well worth it.

Between your experiences and the way my shoulder is feeling this AM I am convinced. Scheduled for Monday AM. Looking at being ready to show off my titanium components by winning the jungle boater this year!
Thanks for the info, folks.
Howard

Get a Doctor's certificate for the feds as you will probably set off the airport alarms.

Dr. Head's Instant Shoulder Repair Clinic just opened in Hiram, AR. We don't accept Medicare, Medicaid, insurance or private pay. No co-pay required. We do it FREE! And how highly trained staff uses only the finest equipment and supplies for our surgery:



and

and

Or you can get a professional to do it!!! Get it done and heal quickly!! Good luck!

Um yeah that's the story I was expecting

Update on this:
I got the surgery about a week ago and while they were in there they removed a lot of scar tissue in my shoulder. It was gnarly for a couple of days but I am already way better in terms of strength and flexibility than I was right before! I highly recommend it, especially for those who are too impatient to wait weeks before you know if it's gonna heal right. Thanks again for the input!
I'll be back in the saddle in no time.
Howard

Now are you glad that you didn't come to my clinic!!??? Good news for sure.