Recovery after clavicle surgery??? - Triathlon Week

stevenholm · 11-17-2006, 01:48 PM

Hey folks, desperately searching for mental therapy, 2 time ironman finisher, completely desperate after falling off bike October 6th, had surgery November 2nd, no training whatsoever, Ironman Brazil cancelled, Disney Marathon cancelled, signed up for Ironman Kentucky in August 2007, will my clavicle let me?

I declined surgery after the fall as doctors told me my fracture was aligned, but 3 weeks later xray revealed 4 cms. displacement, was pinn and plated (6 pins).

Life without triathlon training, well, I feel like it is no life.

Is there someone who can write any lines on time recovery, when should I start riding, and most importantly, when should swimming start??? Not even my worst triathlon enemy should go through this. I am completely halted, incredible, for a 1 sec loss of concentration on the bike.

Any other guys with this experience, let me know what you went through on training recovery and competition after your fall.

Life´s short, enjoy every hour of training guys, IT´S NOT FOREVER!!

Steven Holm - Guatemala City, Central America,
WORLD WIDE HIGH QUALITY COFFEE!!!

sfricks · 11-18-2006, 05:10 AM

OUCH! Sorry dude. I think your questions might be better asked to a licensed sports therapist. Clavicle breaks are typically not a big deal. Any injury to the bone however can cause atrophy of the muscles if they're not strengthened. Good luck.

Grammarsow · 12-01-2006, 08:53 AM

Steven I know exactly what you're going through and have similiar concerns - came off my bike at the 70.3 WC in Clearwater 11 Nov - now back home in the UK and experiencing a lot of discomfort as broken clavicle in 3 places! awaiting an appointment for consultation with an expert shoulder surgeon (being seen privately not national health) did you have a plate and graft? if so did they take the bone from the hip? have you got a full range of movement - I'm terrified I'll never swim again or at least at the same standard (sub 1hr IM swim) I'm in my 40s so not a youngster! 4 years of triathlon and just making an impact and this happens!

Any other triathlete / swimmer who has had anything similiar or can be of help please post - good or bad

stevenholm · 12-01-2006, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grammarsow

Steven I know exactly what you're going through and have similiar concerns - came off my bike at the 70.3 WC in Clearwater 11 Nov - now back home in the UK and experiencing a lot of discomfort as broken clavicle in 3 places! awaiting an appointment for consultation with an expert shoulder surgeon (being seen privately not national health) did you have a plate and graft? if so did they take the bone from the hip? have you got a full range of movement - I'm terrified I'll never swim again or at least at the same standard (sub 1hr IM swim) I'm in my 40s so not a youngster! 4 years of triathlon and just making an impact and this happens!

Any other triathlete / swimmer who has had anything similiar or can be of help please post - good or bad

Hey Grammarsow, my skin went cold as I read your lines, I´m terribly sorry this happened to you at the World Championship, DON´T WORRY, NOT ONE DOCTOR HAS SAID TO ME I WILL NOT SWIM AGAIN... Yes, I was plated with 6 pins. And it is true, swimming again will take time.. My Dr. didn´t take bone but he did take bone narrow from my pelvis to help the clavicle stick together, since I was operated 3 weeks after surgery. A couple of other friends here had the same operation in May 2006, and they say they´re 100% fully recovered, one of them is going to Ironman Arizona 2007. In your case, I don´t know how will your cards play out with 3 fractures, but most people say clavicle fractures are not that serious if well taken care of!!!

I´m into my fifth week after surgery, and I´m already jogging and cycling (both stationary)

The operation was 1.5 hrs, doctors were having a blast before I was sedated, when I woke up my neck hurt like hell, I can feel my plate sometimes, but I feel like I´m recovering very fast. Dr. says 50% of people keep their plates and pinns within this region.

You have to concentrate on 3 things: No movement whatsoever before surgery, therapy after surgery, prevent infection on your shoulder after surgery. You sound like a top amateur triathlete, you will probably recover faster, and GO FASTER............................................ ...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO WORRIES MATE!!!!!!!