Hans Kellner Dot Com

A mighty fine website!

Broken Clavicle No More!

Or maybe I should title this “What’s your problem? Look at Tyler Hamilton!”

Back at the end of May I busted my left clavicle (collar bone). You can read about it here “Broken Clavicle”. It’s been almost 3 months and everything seems to be healed up fine. I have a nice little bump where the ends of the bone have fused together. The long portion never pulled itself back down and it now doesn’t align with the small end. Thus the bump.

Occasionally my shoulder gets sore or I get a slight jolt of pain. Playing volleyball, especially extending the hands and arms out and upward, will make it sore. On the bike, if I bunny-hop or pull up sharply on the bars it hurts a bit in my shoulder. Overall though, I feel good.

During my earlier visit to see Dr. Testa, he created a workout schedule for me. It’s purpose was to help me maintain my fitness and allow me to get back onto the bike and racing as soon as possible. The schedule was designed for use with a stationary trainer. He also instructed that I should raise the front wheel so that the strain on shoulder was reduced and that I should stop an exercise if any pain arose in my shoulder.

Here’s the schedule he gave me for use with my bike on a stationary trainer. It’s a three week plan and each day is broken into a morning and an evening workout. Having two workouts per day reduced the stress on the shoulder.

Recovery Training Program

Week 1

Days 1-3

morning: 15′ = easy spin
evening: 15′ = same as morning

Days 4-5

morning: 25′ = easy spin with high cadence (95+ rpm) for last 10′
evening: 25′ = same as morning

Days 6-7

morning: 30′ = alternating 5′ high cadence (95+ rpm) and HR (75%-83%) with 5′ lower cadence (85-90 rpm) and HR (<73%)
evening: 30′ = same as morning

Weeks 2 and 3

Day 1 (off)

Day 2

morning: 20′ = easy spin with high cadence (100) and HR (75%-78%)
evening: 30′ = 10′ warm-up, 5 x 2′ increasing resistance at 60 rpm and HR (<83%) with 2′ recovery

Day 3

morning: 30′ = 10′ easy spin HR (<70%), 10′ easy spin HR (75%-80%), 10′ easy spin HR (80%-88%)
evening: 45′ = 2 x 10′ and HR (75%-80%) with 5′ recovery, easy for last 20′

Day 4

morning: 45′ = 10′-15′ warm-up with cadence (90-95 rpm) and HR (<70%), 2 sets of raising HR (70%) up to HR (93%) with increases of ~2.5% Max HR (for me it’s 5 beats) every 2′
evening: 45′ = same as morning

Day 5

morning: 25′ = easy spin with last 10′ at 100 rpm and HR (75%-80%)
evening: 40′ = 10′ warm-up, 5 x 3′ increasing resistance at 55-60 rpm and 2′ recovery, 5′-10′ easy spin for cool down

Day 6

morning: 25′ = easy spin with last 10′ at 100 rpm and HR (75%-83%)
evening: 40′ = 10′-15′ warm-up, 3 x 10′-12′ at HR (80%-88%) and 4′ recovery

Day 7

morning: 25′ = easy spin with last 10′ at 100 rpm and HR (75%-83%)
evening: 45′ = 10′ warm-up, 30′ constant spin at HR (80%-85%), 5′ cool down

Fun! 🙂

I would also wear my sling during the workouts. I tried without it a couple of times but my shoulder muscles would start aching. I also found that sitting upright reduced the strain.

Soon after finishing this workout I headed out to Europe for a month long trip. The first portion of my trip was a bike camp in Spain. The training program above paid off and I was able to ride all of the routes and distances in the camp. Over the remaining portion of my trip I added many more miles and my shoulder started feeling better and better. Riding in the Pyrenees, watching the Tour de France live, and seeing Lance Armstrong kick butt were highlights.

Of course with Tyler Hamilton blasting the field with his broken collar bone I was getting no sympathy! But it also goes to show how quickly you may recover from this type of break.

Cheers!

More “Broken Collar Bone” Articles

Don’t miss reading the information and comments in the other collar bone entries:

Broken Clavicle (collar bone)
What To Expect From A Broken Clavicle (collar bone)
Chad’s Broken Collar Bone Report

DISCLAIMER: The following content is for informational purposes only. The content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Diagnosis and treatment of all health conditions should only be performed by your doctor or other licensed health care professional. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this site.

August 22, 2003

Cycling, Racing

Clavicle, Collarbone, Health, Training

218 responses

Tyson

February 12, 2014

Hey Hans,

Digging up an old thread here. As a fellow cyclist, I’ve recently had ORIF and AC Joint Stabilisation Surgery with the insertion of a Hook Plate. I’ve now entered the start of week 3 recovery. I’ve been on the WT 4 times now, with three sessions being an hour long, two of those having some quality intensity work.

I’ve now gone backwards a little with some discomfort in my shoulder area, however I’m not sure if this is because i have been able to use my arm and take it out of the sling more. Did you experience this with your when you began riding again due to increase blood flow and movement of the joint? I think I may have been a bit aggressive on my trainer (My arm was out of the sling resting on the bars). Did you also have a tight/sore neck on the side of the break?

yes, lack of use can cause the problems you describe. And pushing it too much during recovery. Performing P.T. for my shoulder helped me with those issues. Also, getting very light massage would reduce the muscle tension and pain.

– Hans

Reply
Allen

August 8, 2010

I broke my clavicle 2 weeks ago when I got a xray the doc told me about 6 weeks and ill be good to go but i surf for a living and I need to get back in the water ASAP I tried today to go for a paddle out and i could not paddle as i could before. It felt very tight and I have never felt this before I turned right around and rode the white wash right to the beach. I have been wearing my sling for 2 weeks now im wondering when I should remove the sling and if i can start any rehab workouts? I do not want to over do it so I was thinking about just starting with raising my hands over my head like if i was doing a shoulder press. I just do not want to over do anything so if you could please give me a good time frame when I can start my rehab that would be awsome of you. I really miss the water and not being able to get in but I do not want to push to hard and make things even worse and be out longer. PLZ give me some advice and a positive way to look at this because honestly Im feeling a lil depressed about this and now my relationship is starting to be effected. I have a smoking hott GF but I have been treating her so wrong because I have been so down I have really just shut her out and pushed her away and im feeling horrible so i could really use a moral booster right about now thanks
Allen
AKA Aldis

First, give yourself time to heal. Don’t push it too soon by heading out to to the waves. It would totally suck re-injuring yourself before you had a chance to heal. If all goes well you will heal and be back in 6 weeks.
As for when to begin rehab, that all depends on your level of injury. I highly recommend talking with a doc and asking about a time frame and a basic set of rehab exercises. Be clear that you are active and use your shoulder and need to recover full ability. If your doc doesn’t understand your needs as an active person then look for another.
Rehab exercises can be as simple as performing finger walks and pendulum swings. If you look through some of the comments here or search the web for shoulder rehab you should be able to find some exercises.
Take it slow and give yourself time to heal. It’s tough, I know, but if all goes well you will put this injury behind you.

Reply
stacie

March 17, 2010

I have a right distal third clavicle fracture. It has been 10 weeks and the doctor is saying there is a nonunion. My shoulder and whole arm are agony. I am due to go back to hospital in 2 weeks to find out whether surgery is the way to go. Has anyone had this experince before, what is the likelihood of having surgery?
Thanks

Yes, you can read lots of folks comments on these pages about having similar issues like yours. You might also consider going for a second doctor’s opinion. Especially when considering surgery.

Reply
Rick

February 18, 2010

I recently broke my clavicle after coming down a hill with an ATV and Having the right front tire stuck up on a little trench and paralyzing the ATV and sending me flying over the handle bars. The bone broke almost right at the center, and the pain was not that bad. It took me close to two hours to get to the hospital, 20 min at the waiting area, 20 min for x-ray, and then the pain catched up. The nurse gave me some vicodin wannabe pills and the Doc prescribed a sling. The next day I was at the Chiropractic’s office and he prescribed the figure 8 brace(big difference from the sling!). I took a whole week off of work and just laid there on the recliner almost all day.(special thanks to my wife for putting up with me!) That helped a lot. I am now on my 6th week and the Doc took off the brace at the beggining of this week. I get a sting every now and then, but I try to use my arm as much as possible to kinda excersise. Looks like it’s healing properly. I have a little bump to remind me who is the boss! ATV is gone.
Just my two cents… Rest as much as possible with no movement of the arm. Easy on the Meds. I took them every now and then for the first 3 days. Don’t get impatient. Time heals all wounds(wise words)I wonder who came up with the slogan?……
Thanks to all for reading, and Good luck.

Reply
Mark Hofstetter

November 5, 2009

I’m a 47-year old male non-smoker. On August 23, 2009 I fell off of my mountain bike while riding with my family. I went over the handlebars and fell directly on my right shoulder, then my head (I was wearing a helmet!), and then the rest of my body came tumbling to the ground. I knew something was wrong immediately since I couldn’t breathe and felt severe pain in my rib cage and right shoulder. A trip to the emergency room diagnosed broken ribs (front and back) and a broken right clavicale. I was sent home with a sling and pain killers. Two days later I visited my doctor and was fitted with a figure-8 brace and more pain killers. Surgery was offered but not recommended. The next 4 weeks were spent moving very slowly, sleeping sitting up in bed, and keeping my arm and shoulder supported with the sling and figure-8 brace. At 7 weeks I began physical therapy which has been very successful…but painful. I was surprised at the significantly reduced range of motion in my shoulder and lack of flexibility in my right back and chest muscles. I’m at 10 weeks after the break and have started very light weight training (my main fitness interest) and feel that I will eventually be able to fully recover. I still feel pressure on the actual clavicle break site and am told that it will eventually go away. I’m back to doing all “normal” activities around my home and work and look forward to slowly increasing the weights I can handle in the gym.
During my first few weeks of recovering I felt that I wouldn’t be able to workout again and was very concerned about peripheral shoulder injuries due to trauma. Everyone kept telling me that I would recover. My advice is to watch the painkillers and the side effects, go to Physical Therapy when prescribed by the doctor, and have some faith that your body will eventually heal. Once healed, get into shape since being fit enables a faster recovery if an unfortunate accident happens.

Reply
Jeff Duke

September 29, 2009

I thought I might share my “broken clavicle” story.
I ran over an unexpected “sink hole” with my bike back on June 20th.
I do not remember the “fall” but I remember the resulting pain. As it turns out, I broke my right clavicle in three places and they had separated in such a way that surgery was inevitable.
Eight screws and one plate later I though I was on the road to recovery. But fate has not been kind. After about 8 weeks I was beginning to use my shoulder again and I cannot remember the date, but the “break” area started to feel strange and uncomfortable. My wife noticed that the bump appeared larger and intense bone pain started to come back. I then went back to the surgeon who took x-rays and let me know the news, good and bad. The Good? The bones were healing nicely. The bad? The plate that I was informed could stay in forever had now cracked in the middle and the whole thing would have to be removed.
It appears that the constant torque that my shoulder was generating started to weaken the stainless steel plate causing it to crack in an area by one of it’s middle holes.
I guess my advice is if you have a seriously broken clavicle (3 breaks, uneven alignment), then you should definitely wait over (2) months before you do anything strenuous with that shoulder. If you bend a metal plate back and forth so many times it will inevitably crack.
I am now facing surgery after the doctor is confident that the bones have healed sufficiently and he will remove all hardware.
It is hard for me because I am right-handed and am an active person. I thought the material used for the plate was stronger (my assumption) and I never thought it would crack (my bad).
I am in chronic pain and I know it will someday get better.
I also know that God will not hand me anything that I cannot handle on my own. It happened and now I have to deal with it.
Thank you for reading.

Reply
Mary Clark

May 29, 2009

61 year old female, broke left clavicle on March 30, 2009. Seven weeks later (wearing Figure 8 and sling 24/7 and returning for exam and X-rays weekly, then biweekly), CT scan showed only preliminary signs of healing, bayonet apposition, and possible non-union. My orthopedist has ordered a bone growth stimulator, but I have not yet received it. Finding few reports here of success with this device on a broken clavicle. Would be grateful for an encouraging word from anyone who has had good results.

Reply
Grant

May 25, 2009

Count me in the ranks of broken clavicles from cycling. Mine is a distal third break, likely a non-union, so I’m looking for answers and feedback from anyone who opted for surgery. The original injury was August ’08. I took a hard impact directly on my right shoulder which snapped my clavicle in the distal third close to my shoulder. Lucky me, it was a compound break. It took me almost 3 months before I could do anything with my right arm. I feel pretty good now but not 100 percent. I’m back to lifting weights and have decent range of motion. I can even play tennis okay but forget about basketball, the sport I miss most. The big problem is the tightness I feel in my muscles and my drooping right shoulder.

Reply
Mom

May 21, 2009

My 13 year old daughter fractured her clavicle during P.E. 6 days ago. She has always had a high pain tolerance. It’s been surprising seeing just how painful this fracture has been for her. Hers looks like ^ on the X-ray. Orthopedic surgeon believes she’ll have an easy, full recovery. Gave her a sling. I asked for the figure 8 brace because she’s standing so hunched forward as well as leaning to the side of the fracture. She’s very tall and is an elite athlete so I’m very concerned about getting her back to 100% structurally. Asymmetry in her upper body will likely significantly impact her performance in her sport, and increase her risk for future injury. Got a second opinion from a sports orthopedic surgeon who agreed with the prescribed treatment of the first. Anticipate mild activity in about 4 weeks, and building up toward full activity beginning at about 8 weeks. I started wondering about use of anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS such as ibuprofen, etc) and rate of fracture healing. Did a Google search and literature seems to favor conclusion that NSAIDS can lead to non-unions. I don’t believe that most surgeons are aware of this. Am stopping the ibuprofen and switching to Tylenol for pain control. Still using the ice intermittently too. I can’t believe that she pretty much had a bag of ice on it for the first 3 days and nites (no off time)!

Reply
Terry

May 15, 2009

Broke my left clavicle playing football almost 3 weeks ago. Was literally just given pain killers and put in a sling to begin with but when I went back for an x-ray a week later the doc said it was displaced and I should have surgery. I was happy with this because I thought it would heal quicker.
Anyway, I went into hospital for the op and after being kept waiting for 2 days they told me they couldn’t do it for a week. Right up to this point, any movement of my left arm/shoulder was very painful – getting up out of chairs or bed was agony.
I should have been in for the op 2 days ago but I cancelled it because it has really started to improve in the last week or so. There’s a big bump on my clavicle but it doesn’t really hurt anymore and I am gradually getting movement back in it. I take the sling off now.
I’m hoping that the enforced rest of my 2 days in hospital pushed my recovery on and that the bone has fused and is starting to heal. It feels loads more stable than it did before, no more popping, clicking etc and the swelling has gone.
I’m going in for an x-ray on Tuesday.
My biggest worry is that it’s not healing and I’m just wasting time not having the op but if thats the case then I will just get booked in for it after my x-ray on Tuesday.
How do you know when it is healing properly?
I get no pain provided I make no sudden movements or lift anything with my left arm. It feels stable, getting easier and easier to move and it is definitely getting better each day.
I feel more tired in the late afternoon than usual and do get dull aches in it a couple of times a day. And the odd sharp pain in my neck.
Am I on the mend??!

The only way to know if you are healing with your bone fusing back together is to have an x-ray and qualified doc review it. I’ve also been told it can be hard to see growth in an x-ray too soon after the accident.
So you might be healing but not necessarily how you might want to heal. Others have “healed” without the bone fusing back together and had no further problems. Talk with your doc what your expectations are once healed. That may help you determine if surgery is necessary.

Reply
David

January 3, 2009

I broke my left clavical on new years day skiing. I haven’t been to the Dr yet but had an x-ray at a urgent care. I am surprised that most of the breaks are the left side. This blog has given me a lot of questions for the Dr.

Reply
Gerry

December 9, 2008

To follow up on my Sept 10th post.
I have been using the Exogen bone growth stimulator since the beginning of Oct 08. The seperation in my shoulder was at 3.9 cms when I started and there was no sign of bridging 10 months after breaking the clavical.
After two months of use there is now signs of bridging and the gap has narrowed to 3.1 cms. I have been using the Exogen for 20 minutes a day everyday. The draw backs are the machines are very expensive and have a limited life span of six months. My employers provided the machine for me but I would say it has definetly helped me avoid surgery.

Reply
Jeremi Kentz

October 30, 2008

Hey all,
I broke my collar bone in a crit and was a bit up in the air about surgery as it was not needed according to my Doc. However, I did opt for the surgery, and one plate and 7 screws latter I have to say it was the right decision. I was in spin classes 7-8 days after surgery and I was back on my bike in a little less than 3 weeks after surgery and even playing a bit of ultimate frisbee. I have full range of motion and little to no pain form the hardware. I have a friend who broke his collar bone 2 years ago didn’t get surgery and still does not have full range of motion. In short I am sooooo glad I got the surgery and would highly recommend it.

Reply
Daz

September 24, 2008

Hi
Broke my left collarbone(not technical) on 30th June by cycling into wall…..
It did not heal and surgery was required though according to the doctor it got a bit ‘hairy’ as a bone fragment had come away and when they tried to remove it cut my artery and took the team over an hour to sort.
Because the end of the bone is so thin they could not get all the screws in and my doc is scared the plate will pop up, he has signed me of work for 5 weeks….
Can’t wait to get back on my back.
Glad i did not need a graft from my hip as they used all the broken fragments and stuck them in.
Cheers All

Reply
Ed

September 22, 2008

Two weeks ago while on an early morning bike ride I ran over some debris in the road that sent the bike into the curb at about 20mph. Lots of road rash and a broken right collarbone. I saw an Orthopedic sports doctor who put me in a figure eight and I go back tomorrow for x-rays. The difference in my story from everyone else’s is that I’m 68 years old and expect it will take a lot longer for me to heal. I ride between seven and nine thousand a year and would sure like to hear from anyone around my age who has gone through this. Thanks.

Reply
Lauren

September 16, 2008

Broke my left clavicle last Saturday in an Ultimate Frisbee collision, its not too bad, but not too good. I saw the ortho Monday and he has given me the option to straighten out the bone and lift my shoulder up surgically with a pin (my clavicle looks like ^ instead of -).
I’m leaning toward getting the surgery if it means getting my left arm and shoulder 100% back to normal, but I’m still very unsure–what do you think I should do? I’d appreciate advice, I’m so torn and my doctor has left the decision in my hands, with no reccomendation. Help!
Good luck to those still recovering, I now know your awful pain 😉

Reply
Gerry

September 10, 2008

I am a 51 year old male who managed to break my left clavical last Christmas Day playing pond hockey. I won’t say anything about being checked by my 13 year old nephew.
The broken ends of the bones are approximately 4 cms apart and are not showing any signs of healing after 9 months. My latest X-Ray shows some fibrous growth but not much. I have seen two orthopedic surgeons and they both have said to wait until January 09, if there is no signs of healing by then they may operate.
Luckly I have enough movement to prevent a frozen shoulder but it is still quite painful and the muscles are starting to lack definition and tone.
I have been taking Magnesium and Gluclosamine on a regular basis along with Cod Liver oil. Is there any other supplements I should be taking to help expediate bone growth? My physio therapist has recommended an Exogen Unit, electronic bone growth stimulator, has anyone used one of these devices with sucess?
Any advice at this stage would be greatly appreciated.

For supplements, folks have mentioned taking Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, Omega-3, Boron, and multivitamins.
A couple of people have written here about using a bone growth stimulator. It’s usually hard to have covered by insurance so that limits the number of people using it. But those that do say it does help. I have not used one so I don’t know.

Reply
Renee

September 4, 2008

This is such a great blog, i only wish I would have found it sooner. My daughter, 13 yr old, broke her right collarbone on June 4th. It was a clean break but the bones lined up okay. So she wore the figure 8 brace for 4 weeks and then began light activity recommended by her doctor. At her 7 week check-up the doctor said my daugher’s collarbone healed great and it was “like a new bone” He let her go back & play soccer again. She played the 1st game fine, but in the 2nd game she took a small bump to the right shoulder and broke it again. So we are on week 3 of the new break in the same exact place. Basically she either has some real bad luck or we received some real bad advice. Now she is out of soccer & the middle school basketball team. She is very depressed because sports is all she did in her spare time.
She has a new doctor who is a sports medicine doctor. He seems great and understands what a body endures during sports-I believe this is what the 1st doctor lacted.
Although, her bump is pretty large this time and the bones just feel real weird. The x-ray doesn’t reveal anything unusual. Does anyone that has had multiple clavicle breaks have any advice? Also, I’m worried that since she has broken it twice it might mean she will be more prone to re-breaking it again in the future. I would really appreciate any advice. Lastly, I have her on 500mg of calcium w/ vitamin D; any advice on this too?
Prayers for everyone else going through this-this is such a terrible injury.
Renee

Reply