Fractured clavicle recovery

I busted my collarbone about 3 weeks ago and had surgery a few days later. Pre-surgery x-ray attached to this post. No, I didn't swallow a zipper--I was skiing and could not get my mid layer off. Things are improving but I'm at the point in my recovery where I'm getting very frustrated sitting around.

Anyone have any experience coming back from a similar injury? Tips for recovery? How long until you were back climbing, and climbing well?

Thanks!

I’ve gotten both clavicle’s had a hook plate to hold the right one up. 2  surgeries 1 to put it in and 1 to take the plate out. After the doctor released me to start using it about 6 weeks after surgery it was only a strength issue with the bicep and four arm muscle from lack of use while I was out. I did use one of those little blue grip dounuts to try and keep the four arm strong.  I don’t have any issues with it now and it never bothers me. 

I shattered my right one at 24, closed manipulation. I was doing stuff at 4-5 weeks (shouldn't have) scrambling, approach ledges etc. crawled through a cave, dumb and painful.

Slab climbing again at 8 weeks, able to do vertical juggy and overhanging routes without discomfort after 10-12 weeks.

Listen to your body and don't push it. The rock will be there.

I've done both of mine, my most recent one looked very similar to yours, I was climbing within a month although I had to be careful as if I climbed too many harder routes it would get quite sore.

Broke mine into 4 pieces highsiding in turn 2 at Summit Point in 2001. Had surgery the next day ( bone was starting to poke through skin ). Doctor put 1 single screw in lenghwise through all 4 pieces then took it out 6 months later. I didnt do anything for about 1 month then slowly returned to activity. 14 years later I stress-re fractured it on one of the original fracture lines. It didnt break apart, just cracked which caused a lot of swelling and soreness. At that point I started taking a supplement called Ombit Stronbone, which contains strontium, proven to strengthen fractures and shorten fusing time. 6 weeks later they gave me a CT scan and said the fracture had 'healed solidly'. You might want to consider that supplement, but only take it if you feel its safe. Women take it for long periods of time for osteoporosis, but some have questioned its safety when used for long periods like that. 

Doug- your injury sounds way worse than mine. I'm gonna stay away from the strontium, but I'm gulping down lots of yogurt. Hopefully calcium does the trick, generally handled similarly to strontium by your bones. Glad you healed up well.

When it comes to broken bones, the clavicle is my preferred choice.  I'm no Evil Knievel, but I play him on weekends, and the broken clavicle (4 pieces, no surgery) was probably the quickest and easiest recovery with no long terms consequences.

It actually had a positive side because I broke the right one which forced me to become ambidextrous.