Broken collarbone - recovery time?

[stuytjay]

Hi

I had a riding accident 4 days ago which has ended with me having a broken collarbone on my right side. Due to the nature of the break, surgery is likely. Has anyone had a similar injury and can you let me know how long it took before you can ride again? Thanks

 

[Ella19]

I'm worse case scenario! I smashed my right in 4 places, had a pin and plate fitted. In this case it will be a good 8 weeks also depending on how much muscle and tendon damage you have done. My plate came loose (2% chance and I was it!) So another op for me with added bone graft. In total I was off for 8 months. Most people are 8-12 weeks I believe. Worse is driving as you can't because of the seat belt! If you can get hydrotherapy then do as it can speed up the recovery time. Any questions just ask

If you do have surgery then listen to your surgeon and physio. Do not lift anything heavier than they say as that plate really needs time to cerment properly.

 

[stuytjay]

Thanks for answering and i will definitely ask about hydrotheraphy. Anything that helps me recover quicker will help as 4 days in and the things i cannot do because of my broken collar bone is getting longer and longer!

 

[Chris&TheBoys]

I broke mine last august. was signed off work for 6 weeks. but was back gently riding at 5 weeks, against doctors advice. but I found that once it begins to knit back together general yard jobs really helps as much as physio, grooming especially!
Hopefully I've attached 2 pictures of my xrays

the original break:

And the finished product:

I wish you a speedy recovery!
Codeine is your friend

 

[Orangehorse]

Without complications bones heal in about 6 weeks.

 

[TandD]

My break is like Chris and the boys
I broke mine in a 40mph crash with a tree 8 weeks ago. I've been told that it may take up to 6 months to heal....last x ray 3 weeks ago still showed a big gap between the bones, but they are umming and aahhing on putting in a plate. However I was back riding 5 weeks after the accident hacking out.

I couldn't get a large hoody on for over 3 weeks past the accident, couldn't pick anything up, and couldn't sleep on my right side! Still on painkillers.
But it's good to back on a horse!!!

 

[stuytjay]

Thank you all for replying so quickly. Definitely agree ibuprofuen and codeine are the best things to me at the moment. Glad to hear barring complications i could be riding again in 2 to 3 months. Even if i can't ride, it is good to know i may be able to groom my share horse again soon. Wasn't looking forward to not being able to do anything horse related for so long

 

[Lolo]

My sister did hers and was back on a horse 10 days later, although the doctor said 8 weeks in a sling and then begin to do gentle movement. She evented, did PC area SJ and eventing, camp and the PC eventing championships in the following 8 weeks. She was taking codeine and initially something stronger I think, and then slept sitting up in her sling for a good 10 days.

However, the following year she said it ached a lot and she didn't have much strength in that arm. At her prom where she wore a strapless dress it was very clear she had considerable muscle wastage and so she was re-xrayed. She ended up having a plate put in as the bone had healed over an inch too short and wasn't sitting where it should. Then 18 months later she had the plate removed as if she fell off again it would cause the bone to break either side of it.

So a cautionary tale, listen to your doctor, get physio, be careful and if it hurts after they say it shouldn't go and ask for a check up! She took the full 6 weeks off each time after the operations and benefited from it.