Sanders Clinic approach to collar bone fractures

[drmark]

There is so much BS going around about this common injury, I wrote this up for ktm.talk, but is relavant here tool

Ok, here is my take on fractured clavicles (collar bones) Not only have I treated thousands of them, I have also one from a bad get off.

The biology of the clavicle is different from all the long bones and that causes it to heal more rapidly and reliably. Doctors should assist the enormous healing potential that the clavicle has.

In the first five to seven days, wear a sling. The figure of eight bandage is really no help in obtaining comfort, and will not lead to healing of the bone in any better or more functional position.

After that time start working the shoulder, working towards being able to lift it over the head. There will be popping and clicking which ranges from the disturbing to causing a freak out. Ignore it, it will stop in three to four weeks post injury.

At four weeks, or whenever the clicking stops, you can start lifting light weights. Start with an unopened coke can. From there you may progress to heavier weights as comfort allows.

Younger people will and kids will be able to ride inside of six weeks, us older folks will require as much as three months.

It is really important to realize that the clinical healing occurs much faster than the x-ray healing. Thats why, you hear brother riders telling us that they need surgery for the broken bone because it isn't healing. That tells me that there is a doctor who needs to make a car payment. Give the x-ray time and it always heals. There will always be a bump. Even if you have surgery, there will still be a bump. Consider it your mark of honor as a MXer.


Only a very few times in one thousand, does the bone fail to heal. In those cases, then operative treatment with a locked plate and screws, and a bone graft is necessary for treatment of a nonunion. Also remember the most likely cause of nonunion is failed surgery. That means, if no one messed with the bone the first time, it would have healed, but some dumb MD caused it not to heal.

Other uncommon times surgery is necessary includes, fractures of the same scapula, multiple fractures in that upper limb, multiple rib fractures on the same side, and fractures in the distal one third of the bone near the AC joint.

Bottom line, if all the doctors and nurses were abducted by aliens, then the outcome of all the fractured collar bone cases would improve greatly, as natural healing would occur, and almost no one would end up with a nonunion or worse a bone infection compounding a nonunion.
----------------------------------------
drmark
CRF 250 #57
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
713.907.6076

[Woody_393]

Great Info. Thanks for posting this.

[bates393]

yes great info indeed. 2 years later it is still interesting to read stuff about broken collarbones and see how accurate my treatment was. Sounds like I made it alright. Gotta love the collar bone bump

[MotoMan]

This is excellent stuff. Thanks for posting the info.

[pragmatic393]

Wow, very helpful info indeed.

How about a run down on ACL reconstruction. I'm about 1 year post-op on the allograft(sp?) and feels great so far, not near 100% (but lets face it my whole body, is not near 100%). Not sure whether Dr. Lowe used titanium screws or the bio ones.
What can I expect longterm; aside from being reinjured?

Thanks for your time.

[drmark]

I know Walt like the allografts. You know, when you have two orthopaedists, you often get three opinions.

I hate allografts because they require sitting on the sidelines for a year. If you haven't ruptured the allograft from a bad get off during the first year, then theoretically it is now at normal strength. If you don't have tenderness about the screws, then don't worry about them what ever they are.

Per your request, here is the link to our webpages about the ACL
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

[pragmatic393]

Thanks, for posting!