Long story short, I destroyed my collarbone in April last year after a rather large 8ft fast drop went terribly wrong on my bike. It was very displaced (around 1.5cm I seem to recall), almost compound, but they chose to leave it. Well 9 months later I've been told it's now non-union. They have given me the option of leaving it as is or having bone taken from my hip, the 9 months of crap cleaned out and a plate putting in. Right now it's not painful and I can do most things. At 42 it hit me like a ton of bricks and made me realise I probably shouldn't be riding like a 20 year old, so serious biking is probably not on the cards regardless. Fitness is still high on my list of priorities though, but the Doc has said very minimal resistance training and if like this week I swim 2-3 nights in a row and do much more than 40-50 lengths, it hurts. So has anyone has this done before and would recommend it or any surgeons on here? Or should I settle in to middle age, sell the bike, use the funds to remap the Meg and live with a bit of pain? Opinions valued! Nath.
Collarbones and shoulders can cause you really pain long term. I did one of the joints in my right shoulder and it caused me issues for about 2 years. I'd take the advice and get it done properly. They really know what there doing. Im a keen mountain biker and have one simple rule. No jumping. It seem to keep me out of trouble. I had a massive fall a few years back trying to jump 2 rollers at Gisburn and got a double concussion. It took me about 6 months to get my head right. I enjoy the trial centres and single track as much as the next man but putting a boundary in place has helped keep me riding. I was ready to pack it in. Cornering is my vice now... How fast and how much angle can i achieve. Simple thrills lol
Thanks buddy. I've almost had some huge moments down Hully Gully and attempting to clear the tabletops at the bottom of the Hope Line. I do miss the trail centres so much though. Mine wasn't even a drop so much as a huge sloping berm. I got the one before it wrong, had to throw it into the drop and effectively launched myself off the bike, 8ft straightdown at about 20mph It happened about 1.5miles from the nearest house, nobody around and I couldn't get my backpack off to get to my mobile so I had to ride 1.5 miles with it threatening to break the skin. Not nice The problem is though, the Doc is actually suggesting I don't have the surgery unless there is a reason. But as I say, it's shaken me up so badly I really don't know if I'll ever hide hard (even with no drops or jumps) again. Day to day life I don't notice it, expect maybe the point sticking up through my shirt. But I see your point, anything weak will only get worse with age.
Nathan. I broke my collar bone Parachuting. I did not bother getting it fixed. I broke it on a Saturday,and was back at work on the Monday, Yes it was rather painful,but now,all i have to be careful of,is lying on my side in bed. The operation to fix it now, can be far worse than just leaving it,i was told at the time. My advice,if you are getting on with your life, leave it alone.
Yeah, I've done some digging and the operation(s) don't look pleasant! I'm leaning towards leaving youth behind gracefully and being very careful with it.
Hay nath my mate did the same last year and had the op (the plate) he had to ride back to his car after going over the bars in the Peak District luckily his camel back held everything in place till he got home.. it's taken a good 6 months but he's bit the bullet and started riding again (just last week and nothing strenuous) he's glad he had the op and says in the long run it'll be better for him, if you go for it he says expect time off
Thanks for all the advice, it's appreciated! I've since found out that my consultant is one of the most senior and highly respected surgeons around, so I'm going to trust whatever he recommends. Not that I didn't before of course. Apparently though there is one more, relatively newly approved treatment I can have. Something ultrasonic that may stimulate bone growth again. Sometimes works, sometimes doesn't but it's approved for use and I have nothing to lose except a couple of month if it doesn't.
