Injured and out of riding :(

J

Jmn15

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I managed to (literally) start the week just gone off with a bang by falling off and braking my collar bone. Wasn't even a bad fall! Luckily it is fractured and very small but I am out of riding for a good few weeks. I was just interested in peoples experiences of being back in the saddle after time of riding and from having an injury like this. Although I am looking forward to being aloud back in the saddle I'm rather nervous of what to expect from my shoulder area and of course future unplanned dismounts! Will be riding the quiet plodders for a good few weeks...
 
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I did something similar when my pony fell on me when I was younger. I was back in the saddle riding one handed about a week later (fortunately my pony neck reined) I was back riding properly about 3 weeks later.
 
I dislocated my right collarbone in a car assisted fall from a bike.

I was allowed to ride again after a month and it took about nine months to get everything working as before, mostly because the collarbone sticks up permanently, so all the skin, muscles and tendons kind of have to stretch around it. The most troublesome thing was, and still is to a degree, grooming, as the repeated action of brushing just makes my shoulder ache.

On the plus side, I'm really good at grooming with my left hand now.

I have full strength in my arm and shoulder and am easily able to hold difficult / over excited / keen / nutter horse, either in the saddle or on the ground.

Collar bone breakage is very common amongst road cyclists. The pro's get their breaks plated and are back on a bike in a week or two. If your break is being left to heal by itself, then it'll be four to six weeks until it is healed, after that it should be as good as it ever was. Some pro's have broken their collarbones two, three and even four times.... ouch.
 
I got back on two weeks ago after destroying the proximal head of my humerus mountain biking. I had the same concerns but I don't really think ofit when I'm on board unless there is something unexpected happening. My girl is very good though. I'm not brave enough to hack yet as the road is hard and technically I'm not supposed to ride yet!

I'd say be careful when you do get on board, and if it hurts get off again. The effect for me has been an even weaker right arm, I'm a leftie and I grip too hard with my left hand anyway. I fatigue quite quickly too, and the first few rides was sore the next day. Do your physio exercises, it really does help.
 
With any broken bone you need to be sure to stick to what your dr says!

I badly fractured my ankle and was allowed to ride after only 8 weeks. I didn't have any problems. Confidence was fine as I knew my horse well and knew it was a freak accident. Aljough I had fallen off him before I has never done any serious jnjury. Therefore chances were even if I did fall I would be ok

Shame ankle later collapsed. (Surgery not the best)
 
I broke my collarbone in a fall but unfortunately, due to the way it healed I developed a partially frozen shoulder. This meant I had limited movement in my right arm for some months, and it was painful.

I was riding again as soon as I could, which was about 5 weeks I think, but I had to mount with a tall block and dismount by swinging my leg over the front of the saddle as I couldn't weight bear on my right arm. I stuck to slow and steady stuff once I was riding again, as I couldn't risk making any sharp movements with my arm, and it took me a while to get my confidence back. A lot of that was due to the fact that it tok nearly a year to get full movement back though.
 
7 weeks down the line mine is still very painful, not only have i pulled mine off its attachments at each end but ive also torn my ligaments and joint capsule. It hurts all the time, and the pain can vary depending on what I'm doing, driving makes it worse as turning the steering wheel while changing gear pulls it, and reversing and looking over my right shoulder is awkward too. If i move or lie certain ways i can actually feel it move around. I'm still mucking out and looking after my toddler etc as there's no one else to help me. I'm just having to get on with it and cope as best I can. Ive had a months worth of strong prescription pain killers. It will take a long time to heal as it doesn't get rested but I'm managing and my ponies injuries are more of a priority.
 
I feel your pain! I came off 7 weeks ago and dislocated my shoulder and fractured my humerus and thumb. After 10 days I had to have my fracture plated. I'm itching to get back on board but my consultant has said 'no way' as I can't guarantee that I won't come off again or the horse not pulling on the reins. The consultant advised me that the risk isn't worth taking as if anything happened, I'd be back to square one! Here's to a speedy recovery to everyone who is broken at the moment!
 
Ive had a fractured collar bone and more shoulder dislocations than I can remember. I have to admit they have never really caused me any trouble apart from re-training them to stay in the correct position, they always creep forward and get tired quickly if I have to hold them properly for long.

In your shoes, I'd take some painkillers before riding, make sure you are wrapped up warm and just have a gentle ride first time back in the saddle and see how you feel.
As riding may cause pain in the area having painkillers already in your system will help if you do get leaned on a bit. If you are in pain during or after riding, give yourself some more time to recover. I'm sure you will be fine, no point worrying about 'what ifs', just get back on when you're ready, relax and see how you go!
 
My best advice is to ignore all the "I was back competing 4* BE or riding wild stallions 3 days later" posts😜 don't let anyone pressure you, just allow yourself to heal and don't push yourself before you're ready. I broke my collarbone in my early 40's and it took months to heal, I tried riding a few times along the way but only really felt fully healed 9-10 months later. (Cried in the corner of my stable more than once at the pain of trying to reach up to put saddle or bridle on and had to admit defeat) coupled with a complete loss of confidence, it wasn't a good time! Just give yourself time to heal is my advice xxx
 
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