Broke my collarbone.

So I was mountain biking a few days ago and in a moment of great wisdom decided to take a steep hill at a 25 foot drop. The inner genius of me should have done the math and a big guy like my self at 290 lbs up a 25 foot elevation is a tremendous amount of stored potential energy. Needles to say I accelerated at a faster rate than anticipated, neglected to identify a small berm at the bottom which acted like a ramp sending me flying into the air on a bicycle not designed to support the stresses I inflicted onto it.

SO, in the moment of inevitable impact I remembered my Airborne training from the U.S. Army and attempted to dissipate as much kinetic energy as I could. I imagined in my mind a generalized application of Newton's Law and my fears of broken bones were soon justified. Afterwards my 7 year old son was a confused witness to bear the site of his father who was grunting in pain and laughing aloud to his stupidity at the same time after the impact. My son got to the house before I did naturally and told the family. They as well were surprised and confused because I had a very big smile on my face while groaning in pain. I told them not to read too deeply into my sense of humor because I had spent years in the Infantry and was accustomed to incredible pain so my condition is more likely more severe than in appearance.

Well, a trip to the ER and a few x-rays later show I broke my right clavicle. Because I am friends with a homeopathic doctor she recommended me Traumeel to sooth the muscular pain. Stuff works thankfully. Looks like every day will be leg day in the gym for a while.

Thanks for helping to inoculate us so we'll be more careful. What a great opportunity to model for your son grace in the face of adversity. Sorry you got hurt.
john S
PDX OR

I get where you are coming from re pain response.

I bust a ligament in my knee a few years back. I wasn't able to tell people what was wrong because I was laughing too much. Some cabling crossed over in our heads somewhere I suspect!

So I have been sitting on this a while, well more like lying down but I figured I would update this thread with my progress. I went to ortho last week and got the x-ray below of my right shoulder. Doctor recommended against surgery. It is very easy to see the location of the mid section clavicle fracture. All I am taking now is aurum metallicum, muscles aren't really sore anymore. Trying to discipline myself to limit movement in the area. I sure am proud of my large and thick bones. Honestly amazes me that this is all that broke from my fall. Thankfully in the following months assuming all heals properly, my bone may actually be stronger than before.

Well, this discussion seems appropriate to deviate a little into the bodies natural healing process.

Ouch!! I broke my left clavicle twice as a kid. They say that it is one of the most painful bones to break. Shows your toughness all the more.

Bibi Estlund wrote:Ouch!! I broke my left clavicle twice as a kid. They say that it is one of the most painful bones to break. Shows your toughness all the more.

Ouch, twice?! I literally feel your pain. Its great that it happened as a child though, adults do not have the same capacity as children to regenerate original structure during the bodies reconstruction phase.

Oh ouch, Amadean! Having broken my wrist this last January, I can relate. The pain of that was worse that large parts of my natural childbirths! Wishing you speedy healing and continued good humor!

Last week I got an update from the doctor. Healing as expected, progressing well. In one month I should have the region recalcified with 80 percent of original strength. It will take 3 months in total from the day of the original injury to regain near or more than 100 percent strength. Hopefully in 6 week I can weight train again.

Good to hear and wishing you continued good progress!

How much lean upper body mass do you figure you've shed ? I recall a photo where you looked pretty pumped. I hope you go easy on the bench and shoulder presses until you're 100%. Peck tears and other injuries happen to guys getting back into shape after a long lay off.

Dale Hodgins wrote:How much lean upper body mass do you figure you've shed ?

I don't know for sure but when I recently started my gym routine before the injury after a 6 year hiatus my bench did not drop as significantly as I had expected. Currently, I think I can lose a good 40 pounds and be below 20 percent bodyfat.

Just giving an update. It's been some time and bones do take some time to heal. Everything is healing as scheduled. It will be some months for the calcification to become more dense. Dark spots from less density in the area of fracture are showing that the healing process is still in full effect. I decided to hit the weights in the gym to test my clavicle strength because its time to consider physical therapy. After a year or two I can potentially realign the slight deformity during the body's remodeling phase with little evidence of a fracture. Hit a snag on the heavy sets still feeling a bit of soreness so I started light on the bench with 8 sets of 8-15 reps at 155 lb. Pain is my guide and is the best communicator. I am still projected for a complete recovery. All is well, Godspeed!

Sounds like great progress and prognosis both! Not so bad at 4 months.

I'd had someone surprised to see me still in a wrist brace about 3 months after my break. It probably took at least another 2 months for me to regain my range of motion and a large part of my former strength.

While our breaks and circumstances are very different, I still think it could be that just past where you are now - perhaps even 6 months or so - is when the real upswing takes flight.

Good for you for listening to your body and taking care of yourself.

All best to you and thanks for the update!