Broken Collarbone | MTB Accident | How Long to Recovery?

Eddie provides an update after his mountain bike accident on a wall ride. He sustained a broken left collarbone (clavicle), 2x breaks in his scapula (shoulder blade), 3x broken ribs, a dislocated right shoulder. He also shares his plan to provide updates on his progress back to full riding strength again.
**Update - I lost some video of my road to recovery when accidentally reformatting an SD card - sorry! It took me 12 weeks to recover nearly all my range of motion. I'm still rebuilding strength at 4 months - but it's coming fast every day! -Eddie
This video should be considered for entertainment purposes only, any action you take based on the content of this video is strictly "at your own risk".
#simplymountainbiking #SMB #mountainbiking

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

**Update - I lost some video of my road to recovery when accidentally reformatting an SD card - sorry -there won't be a follow-up. It took me 12 weeks to recover nearly all my range of motion. I'm still rebuilding strength at 4 months - but it's coming fast every day! -Eddie

[@scottaw]

New subscriber, enjoying your content. Thanks for sharing! I've had a few shoulder injuries from skiing and going OTB on the MTB, both the left and right. Shoulders can take a long time to heal up! Some of my injuries took almost a year before I didn't think about them anymore. Physical therapy, stretching, etc., will go a long ways, just stick with it!

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

@@scottaw Thank you for the advice and sharing your experience! -Eddie

[@ameerabdullah2559]

Realy thinks for ur video. Really I was depressed from my situation. Today I complete 7 weeks .but that is fine now if I know that it need 12 weeks . Hope I can get full direct motion very soon

[@yogsothothx]

Bianchi racer here... displaced clavicular fracture for me too, bike fall due to debris on road on Sunday. I have the first followup visit tomorrow... wish me luck. Day3. I already reduced calories intake to 1700

[@CubWelder]

Hey Eddie, I just found your channel through this video. I’m 4 months out from having a plate and 12 screws on my clavicle from a crash on my mountain bike. Anyways, I just wanted to say that I hope you’re doing much better and that I’m really glad I discovered your channel! I just subscribed and can’t wait to watch more videos!

[@AdventuresWithDaniel]

Thanks for the update and glad the healing is coming along my friend. Best wishes for continued improvement!

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Thank you! -Eddie

[@tsh765]

Broke my clavicle in the first 5 minutes of the first ride (night) of my new-to-me Yeti in early 2019. Like yours, it needed surgery, screws and a plate. It was a good 12 weeks of recovery. My Dr. was great and urged me not to over-do-it. I was riding by early summer and ended the season with a 50 mile race in VT. I came in the bottom 10%, but I had never raced before and it was a grueling blast. Two years later, I don't even think about it. Sometimes it feels a little strange, but it never hurts. We look to be about the same age. With your attitude, you'll look back at this as a minor inconvenience. You'll be back on the trails in no time!

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Inspiring! Thanks! - Eddie

[@bryanramirez1964]

Glad you are recovering! Hope you can get back on the bike and share your adventures with us!

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

I hope so too! The spring bikepacking adventure now becomes the fall... That's life! -Eddie

[@johndenton9746]

Best wishes on a speedy recovery

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Thanks! -Eddie

[@michaelsparrow2806]

I broke my clavicle, scapula, and a rib on my bike as well. Just had surgery yesterday. I was very active before and am hoping to get back into action soon. Your positivity and determination help a lot. Thank you!

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Hang in there - recovery will happen! I haven't updated in a while like I promised because things have gotten busy for me - catching up on household chores AND taking my family on a vacation for taking care of me for the 4 weeks my left arm was pretty useless. At 9 weeks post-surgery, I started strength training - and I was allowed on my bike again on low-risk trails. You'll get it back! -Eddie

[@michaelsparrow2806]

I've been doing a lot of walking, and stretching. My Clavicle feels great just a week out of surgery. However a physical therapist said I may have Rotator Cuff damage 😔 Did you have weakness In the back of your shoulder/top of back arm after surgery?

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

@@michaelsparrow2806 I'm so happy to hear that your clavicle feels great! I did have weakness with my subscapularis muscle (one of the rotator cuff muscles). My weakness was likely caused by my scapular break. I did not have any damage to my rotator cuff. -Eddie

[@suman3942]

how the condition nowadays

[@MiguelOjedaJr]

Can you say how much the surgery bill was?

[@johnkrejci]

Get well soon! Still enjoying the content so keep it up!

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Thanks, will do! -Eddie

[@davejussel2607]

Eddie, Glad to hear your on the mend, can’t keep a good man down it seems and I hope your recovery goes very well and that you can do your MTB event in July.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Much appreciated - I'm going to give it my best! -Eddie

[@Kutomaru1]

Hey thanks for the positive note! I recently re broke my left collarbone. the first break was a skateboarding accident. I got burger and they put a plate and 6 screws in my collarbone. now 6-7 years later I re broke it going 30 miles on a electric skateboard. I got surgery again on it but they put a longer plate in with 7 screws this time. its definitely scary because I can feel the plate and how tender the area is, but knowing that I am not alone out here gives me assurance. I hope you have a speedy recovery my friend!

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Thanks - and good luck on your recovery too! -Eddie

[@kurdtjohn]

Hey, man! I got a surgery for the same thing in late January and there was a titanium plate and screws installed on my left clavicle. After all the swelling subsided, I realized that the plate was literally just under my skin with little to no tissue underneath. If you saw or felt that area, you could literally just tell where the screws are. It had seriously affected my ability to play guitar standing up. I wonder if there are some things to be done to fix that.

[@brandondickerson4520]

lol im 16 just got a plate and six screws it there yesterday, 4th break on left collarbone, last two times were skateboarding within a two month period. last night was absolute pain omg it hurt

[@mikemazzantini6397]

Good luck on your recovery.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Thank you! -Eddie

[@williamjason1583]

Same injury, one week in...surgery needed, broken wrist too...frustrating times...glad you recovered well.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

You'll heal! I'm nearly one year since my crash and all I notice is a bit of numbness around the incision point - and I can feel the plate below the skin. Other than that - I'm just as strong and just as flexible. You'll get there! -Eddie

[@Marvinmiller7447]

In my experience (inferior dislocation) the key is not rushing. lts important to let everything heal and all the stretched muscles and such to shrink back together. A therapist told me this "you can work with a stiff shoulder but you can't with a unstable one". Keep it mostly immobile until you determine that your pain/limitation is coming from scar tissue, then go for it. I had really good results with using resistance bands for my recovery training. It's been about 8 months and I am feeling great and consider myself to have fully recovered and have no pain. I hope the same for you

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

I had to look up what an 'inferior dislocation' was and I think I'm scarred for life; "The arm appears to be permanently held upward, in fixed abduction. The patient will often present with their hand placed on the head or near it." I'd rather have a broken collarbone, I think! Excellent advice, too, Johnathan. Thanks! -Eddie

[@PhillipGibb]

Just shattered by clavicle, 2 out of surgery, so keen to learn. Thanks for putting this out there.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

You are welcome! -Eddie

[@BikingCarFanatic]

Great video mate, I did similar and had it plated last year. Was back riding MTB in exactly 3 months. Road bike a few weeks earlier. Once I started mobility exercises the strength came back pretty quickly. But was not fun when I couldn't even pick up a cup of coffee lol.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Thanks for sharing - glad you're back at it! -Eddie

[@forestkan6653]

Thought I’d share my story here. Broke my clavicle in many pieces in early May and had surgery May 17. Today marks more or less 13 weeks post surgery and I am about 80% of full riding capacity. My mental game is the main limiting factor but I can bunny hop and wheelie and all the rest. I was on the trainer approximately 4-5 days post surgery then on the road bike at 7 weeks. Gravel at 11 weeks, and full trail riding at 12. I was also urged by my surgeon to be very careful returning to riding and despite me feeling well, I chose to hold off riding until recently. Hope you are doing good. Clavicles suck and it looks like that was one of many injuries.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

I'm happy you're having a speedy recovery. Thanks for sharing! -Eddie

[@mcnamee901]

Hello. Does this mean you had enough ROM to put both hands on trainer 4-5 days post surgery? Thank you

[@forestkan6653]

@@mcnamee901 no, definitely not. I was spinning sitting up. My ROM was limited for a few weeks

[@mcnamee901]

Thank you for the response.

[@theodskieartemis2295]

I just had a same injury as you last October and I had my surgery in November, and now I'm back at biking but my doctor won't allow me to trail yet until it fully heals so I will take it slowly at a time to be back at fullshape and be able to do what I love the most which is downhill biking!!!

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Sorry for your injury! Good luck getting back at it! -Eddie

[@teddgram]

I can sympathise with your injury. I broke my ankle years ago and it sucked not being able to do things that I took for granted.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Ouch - an ankle is a bad break! I'm in my fourth week of recovery and I'm close to being murdered by my family, I think. Without rigorous activity 3-5 times a week - I can get pretty cranky! -Eddie

[@mtbjpoe]

I broke mine on the right clavicle when hit the MTB jump and landed on sideway, it’s happen this month. I got to wait 2weeks before my surgery. After the surgery, now I’m on 1st week on my way to recovery. But the way I keep watching your video & learnt something. Hopefully for another 2 months next year to be able to ride with my MTB. 🤘🙏

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Thanks - how are you doing now? You should have had your surgery now... -Eddie

[@mtbjpoe]

Yes I went my surgery almost a month ago & feeling well so far. 🤘

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

@@mtbjpoe Excellent!

[@nomad-pq4yw8iy7v]

This popped up and unfortunately it is quite relevant to my current status. Hopeful your back on your bike. I'll have look to if you have more video regarding the progress thanks for posting.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

I am back on my bike! I need to follow up here on KZbin - but I lost some video making other videos (reformatted the wrong card) so I couldn't update my progress as promised. I hope you're back together soon! -Eddie

[@nomad-pq4yw8iy7v]

@@SimplyMountainBiking good to here your back on 2 wheels.

[@davidcollister72]

Thx for sharing. I can share a story too. I broke my collar bone in Feb skiing. The hospital chose to put a figure of 8 strap on me rather than a sling. In the following 7 days after my break the arm on the broken side started to swell and a lot. I returned to hospital 3 days after the break and was told it was due to the trauma. After 7 days I went back and they kept me in. An ultrasound showed I had developed a DVT in my upper arm near the break. I had to stay in hospital for 7 days and was on an IV drip of blood thinners and pain relief. They never got to the bottom of why I had a DVT but the traumatologist suspected that it was the tightness of the 8 strap. I am slim and just 51 years old. No other injuries from the accident, I was told that with those factors the break defiantly did not cause the DVT and it was down to the strap. I have just finished 3 months of blood thinners so waiting to see if my arm starts swelling again. I have an appointment with the vascular surgeon in 3 weeks time. It doesn’t look they will operate on me but I have a sizeable lump where it broke about the size of a sprout. Not impressed at all and folks, avoid a figure of 8 strap. Go with a sling. Hope that helps.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Thanks for sharing! Sounds like a rough experience. 😔 -Eddie

[@SingaporeUntold]

Broke my collarbone last May and even had my cam running so it’s on my channel. Flew off about 30km/h. Left elbow , left wrist small fractures. 1 month of arm cast to recover. Right collarbone was damn painful. Diagonal fracture but not so displaced so didn’t do surgery as the doc said it’ll sever a nerve to cut there and need 2 surgery 1 to install plate and 1 to remove a year later. So opted natural. Hurt like crazy first 5 days. Even walking wasn’t comfortable. Slept 2 hours at a time on a reclined chair. After that it was fine with range limitations. Some numbing sensation in right arm. Waited 4 months to cycle again. 6 months to lift weights. 9 months now and 99 percent normal. 1 year should be technically fully healed. I don’t think there’s every 100 percent recovery. I would say collar bone fracture is very common in cycling 😅

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Thanks for sharing your experience. -Eddie

[@jonburlew302]

I had gotten into longboarding a few years ago, and got a real sturdy, serious board and decided to use a helmet for the first time. Felt so secure I just let myself roll down a big hill without scoping it out, built up speed in like 1 second and decided I needed to bail. Pulverized clavicle 😀. I have a plate with 6 screws just like yours. Dr said bone was in probably a dozen pieces and he tried to tie it up as best he could. I think he did a good job - all good now. I don't longboard anymore but I'm a good snowboarder. I mtb now that I live in wnc but miss that out of control feeling you get with no breaks haha

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Sounds exciting! -Eddie

[@joewong8182]

nice. i have same and going into surgery in 30 mins. hopeful i'd be good in 3 - 4 months optimistically

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Good luck! -Eddie

[@jonellmanguera2360]

Hi Eddie, Hope you are back on MTB action after a year from that left clavicle fracture. We had the same mid shaft damage but mine have some fragments and also my shoulder got dislocated. Just want to ask if you still remember, since this is my 5th week after the Open Reduction Internal Fixation, I still feel some pain when moving my arm (when reaching my right shoulder). Is it normal until 6th week? Seem like some tissues around the plate area got ripped when doing specific arm movements. How many weeks will it take after the ORIF for the plate to be hanging there without any pain? Thanks in advance for answering my questions. Regards, -Jonell

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Hello Jonell, Yes, I still had pain in the collarbone (and other parts of the shoulder girdle) 6 weeks after surgery when pushing the limits of my range of motion. A year later - I have no pain at the limits of my ROM - just a little stiffness - the shoulder is 98% as mobile as my right. I'm no doctor; so take my advice with a grain of salt. I recommend strengthening the area - as you can. Some of the muscle from the upper pectoral was cut away from my collarbone to install the plate. I started with light weights and did incline bench-presses and push-ups with my feet on a step to help re-grow muscle that attaches to the collarbone and stabilize the area. I hope to hear good news from you in the future! -Eddie

[@sheen675]

I´ve broken my collarbone almost 2 months ago. Surgery and I do have a wires in my shoulder. 4 weeks with bracer/support, not doing anything with my hand. After that physio started. I´ve also started riding on a trainer, just spinning the cranks :) after 6 weeks I´ve been riding on trainer and occasionally hold on handlebars and my recovery with physio went well. I have been doing exercises 3hours per day, going over the pain regularlyy. Since week 7 I have been holding handle bars on trainer all the time. At the end of 7th week I have also rode my first 20km outside on the flat, easy tempo.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Speedy recovery to you - Eddie

[@sheen675]

@@SimplyMountainBiking Thanks :) same to you.

[@kriscaudal8840]

I had a plate screwed to my broken clavicle. In 4 weeks my arm was in full mobility. In 5 weeks I went road cycling for everyday and no pain. But haven't gone mtbing yet.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Great recovery! -Eddie

[@ShivaKumar-yb4xc]

I broke my clavicle , its been 4 weeks Since surgery , hoping for recovering faster , thanks for your confidence that boosts me a lot

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

How's it going? Did you heal well? -Eddie

[@ShivaKumar-yb4xc]

@@SimplyMountainBiking yeah thanks Eddie , I had recovered fully , able to do all the activities as I do before , but still need to remove the tens nail which is implanted inside .

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

@@ShivaKumar-yb4xc So happy to hear! -Eddie

[@solomonjr.galera5799]

Good day sir. Is the hardware/steel plate still in your clavicle or it was already removed? If it was already removed, may I ask if how many months/year/s before it was decided to removed? (From putting in to putting out the hardware)

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

I left the plate in. It does not bother me. + I think it's cool to be a cyborg. ;) -Eddie

[@chucklayton5753]

Heal fast man!

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

I'll try! -Eddie

[@davidbaca1189]

I appreciate this video a lot, it’s 3:50 in the morning and I was having trouble sleeping, came across this video and the first 5 seconds had me dying of laughter instead, I know it wasn’t funny, but I was dying of laughter cause that’s about how it looked when I fell too so I know how that felt. I fell trying to hold a wheelie on my bike but I hit a hidden slope behind a tree smh

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

I hope you heal up soon, David. Happy to make you chuckle! -Eddie

[@ramachandranselvamani8774]

Hi Eddi, your video is usefully. i recently broke my collar bone and crack in rib, now i am in 4th week of my medical rest. I need some suggestion from you, do you have a plan/suggest to remove plates after the fracture heals?

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Sorry to hear! I do not plan to remove my plate. My plate is stainless. I can feel it through the skin and it sometimes feels strange/weird - but it does not hurt. I think it will be fine to leave in there. - Eddie

[@stonksrgud7645]

How are ya? I found this video just now and saw its 3 months old, so you should be alright now. Broke my collarbone 6 hours ago in a mtb accident but i dont need surgery, still on vacation so i hope the pain goes away quickly so that i can at least walk in the mountains without all the pain

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

I'm well! Unfortunately, I lost most of the video for the follow-up that I promised - sorry! I'm back to riding (as of June 2) and I'm about a mile an hour slower on average at this point. I'm getting it back though. Good luck on your recovery and hope you do get to enjoy your vacation! -Eddie

[@estelitafabia4004]

Hello..How's your recovery if no surgery needed? Do have weakness in your arm?How's the pain?

[@22joek]

Gute Besserung

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Vielen Dank! -Eddie

[@jhonmarsai2416]

Me too now almost 4 weeks. Hopefully healing fast..

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

I'm almost back to normal. Speedy recovery! -Eddie

[@bobbymyers9030]

I broke mine 4 days ago riding bmx and just got out of surgery today then found this video. I now have broken both my clavicles. The first day out of surgery is painful with no painkillers.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Hang in there! -Eddie

[@user-hg3pw5dq4q]

Hello!! Thanks for making this video! I broke my collar bone about 3 weeks ago. My doctor told me that I got lucky with the fracture. In 1 week I am allowed to be a lot more with my body, but I’m afraid that my collar bone is going to be very weak due to a lot of inactivity. Do you have any physical therapy exercises I can do? Thanks it would mean a lot if you could answer.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Every injury is different and every body is different - so realize I'm just sharing what worked for me. The #1 thing that helped me was kayaking. I would go paddle hard for :30 minutes several times a week for about a month. Putting my shoulder girdle through that rotating motion helped re-activate all the muscles in my shoulder. Aside from that - I worked my way up free-weights doing shoulder raises (lateral, front), and military press. I did higher reps at lower weight. My focus was to get my nervous system and muscles to learn coordination again - activating all the muscles to do work. I hope this helps. -Eddie

[@zistoadventures2342]

Hey nick I broke mine Saturday and they told me also that I was lucky and I don’t need a surgery. Although I’m afraid that it doesn’t heal the way it was. You have any advice about what stance should I sit or how to get up because I’m all day lay down because I don’t want the bone moves. Thanks 🙏

[@RoadTripUSA]

I dont suppose you know anything about distal third collarbone breaks? My husband has had two opinions saying to get surgery, especially because he enjoys surfing. But do you think its worth it? Are there any downsides to having a plate in permanently? Is it tender there or does it feel weird? Can you see your plate and is the scar really bad?

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

I don't know anything about distal third collarbone breaks. My plate is a bit weird since the skin is so thin in that area. I've bumped my collarbone against hard surfaces a few times and it's a bit sharper than the other 'regular' collarbone. I can see it slightly. The scar is not bad at all. It's really fading fast. Good luck! -Eddie

[@Zack-fg2vw]

Just broke my collarbone about 4 days ago ( no surgery required) I play Basketball and spend lots of time in the weight room, I was just wondering if you came back to the same strength and coordination, and if you can put the same amount of weight ( as if you were in the gym) on your bone?

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Oh, yeah. I use my arm just like before. Military press at the weight I was before is no problem. I think I was back about 6mo after injury. -Eddie

[@ralphkeith2905]

Chicks dig scars! Several friends have broken their collarbones and all had complete recovery. Be patient and you'll be back on the bike in no time. Suggestion for a video - review of the Old Man Mountain rack and Ortlieb bags???

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Way to look at the positive side! I planned to review the rack and panniers after a mountain trip - but Pisgah is postponed until this fall for me. I'll likely do the review this fall. Is that okay? I'd really like to see how they take a punishing downhill before I make a verdict! -Eddie

[@ralphkeith2905]

@@SimplyMountainBiking Based on your install and bikepacking video, I already bought both :) I was just curious what you thought of them. Unfortunately, the bike I purchased was delayed and I haven't installed my rack/bags yet.

[@kevincloutier6550]

I bought the Old Man Mountain rack and Ortlieb bags because I saw you had them. I had a cheap rack and bags but I wanted a better setup. I like them much better than what was using.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

I can tell you that I very much liked the setup on the Swamp Fox trail. I liked that I could clean up the 'cockpit' of my bike and get a lot of things off the handlebars. For the Swamp Fox, I had some cold weather gear, since we did it in January, and that filled up some bags! I can't wait until this fall on a trip more mild - I want to see if I can get away with ONLY the rack/panniers and the frame bag. -Eddie

[@metaldad8318]

Last Friday (May 7) was the 12th week after my collar bone fracture surgery, I took the surgery at the same day I crashed. The fracture was as bad as yours (broke into 5 pieces), it took 8 weeks before I can go back riding my bike after I confirmed my condition to my orthopedist. Now I'm gonna start to ride again at the local bike park, but I just feel not so confident even though it may be just an XC / trail ride...😨😨

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

I'm in the same boat. 8 weeks post surgery, I can ride again - but only easy greenway type stuff (at least I've been advised) I'm looking forward to it and have one week to go! I hope you do well on your first ride! - Eddie

[@metaldad8318]

@@SimplyMountainBiking many thanks! I hope you'll get well sooner & back to action again, Eddie!

[@metaldad8318]

@@SimplyMountainBiking Hi Eddie, how's everything going now? It's been 25 weeks (almost 6 moths) since my surgery. I started to do small jumps & hops again. However, I'm still not sure to go to the gnarlier bike park. How about you? And what do you think if I go one step further from XC to enduro for now?

[@ChopperOutdoors]

I had the same surgery at the end of October. 4 months in I’m still healing and the bone is not Fusing together as quickly as the doctor wanted. They just gave me a machine to speed up the process.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Heal up! -Eddie

[@mabentv517]

I have a incomplete broken collar bone since last week when i was involved to a motorcycle accident i hope we feel better soon. 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Me too! -Eddie

[@stephenalmia8598]

Same here

[@SonuSharma-kd8yq]

How's your hand clavicle now? I had broken coller bone too... It been 2 months everything is fine but when I raised my both hands in side it show different? Why Have you also feel the same. Plz reply

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

I'm nearly 100% now. Same range of motion, same strength, etc. I do feel a little tender near the bone break and also some nerve damage/loss of feeling. Other than that - I hardly notice. -Eddie

[@TheDucktrue]

You had a broken collarbone, how long did you have to take a break from biking and other sports because I had a bike accident a few days ago in which I broke my fracture and I would like to know how long I can no longer pole vault and I do tricks. Thank you in advance

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

I was back on the bike, riding carefully, after 3 months as I recall. After 6 months - I was back to riding normally again. -Eddie

[@nicholascorbett4622]

Just wrecked in a parking lot at low speed on my motorcycle. Went over top end and broke my collar bone, I rode the 7 miles home and the adrenaline wore off. Pretty bad pain and bc I live in NY I was only prescribed Tylenol. Lol. I'm mostly worried about getting back to work. I have a physical job. Any advice on what to do about temporary disability

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Fortunately, my day job doesn't require physical labor and I only missed a few days of work. I hope you have a speedy recovery! -Eddie

[@davidcarter6737]

i just broke my clavicle and scapula by falling back onto a rock. Have to wait another week to see the Orthopedic team. Hoping they will advise surgery, otherwise i think it will be a longer recovery and possibilities of complications. My question is do you wear body armour now? And what kind? Thanks.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Sorry to hear of your injury. I don't wear body armor now. I decided instead to build some muscle back into my shoulder girdle area. I used to be more muscular but that's fallen off in the last decade for more cardiovascular type workouts. My physicians said that more muscular mass would help reduce my chance of having a similar injury in the future. -Eddie

[@1911Zoey]

I don't think body armor will do much for the collarbone area but it sure helps against spine and rib injuries. Channel owner's advice is pretty good too. Building muscle will help strengthen that area away from further injuries.

[@JPNYC4]

Would you remove the plate and screws after surgery and the bone is healed? my doctor told me that’s an option though he doesn’t recommend it. Don’t know if I want that plate and screws to to remain in me. I’m getting surgery next week.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

I'm going to leave the plate in my shoulder. -Eddie

[@iwonder2c]

All the best for a quick recovery Eddie and hope your back on the bike soon.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Thanks, me too!

[@kiranfelix5799]

The pain factors are high on the next day after surgery and the first real physiotherapy session. Later you'll be fine.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Thanks! I'm all better now. Just a bit of numbness around the site of the incision. Other than that - basically the same as before. The plate feels weird under the skin - as the skin is so thin there... -Eddie

[@AnnYT2]

I just broke my collarbone from a atv accident. I have to have surgery as well. In the past three days I've learned to do just about everything with one hand lol. I have 4 kids with one but a year old so she's the only one I have to physically help with. The only things I struggle with to do by myself is removing my shirt and washing my hair. I also have a small business where I make signs so my husband is helping with that. Who knew you could change a diaper with one hand lol. I cut my calories also so that I didn't gain weight during this time I'm actually trying to lose weight and that this was gonna set me back but just changing your calorie intake accordingly will be helpful since I won't be as active as I was.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

I'm so very feeling your struggles right now. That's a lot to keep up with while injured. Hang in there - recovery will come. I had most of my range of motion back in 3 months and my strength back in 4-5. I hope you have a speedy recovery! -Eddie

[@AnnYT2]

@@SimplyMountainBiking it's been two weeks since my surgery and back to normal besides any over head things. Went to gym and started strength training again, had to go down in weight but wasn't so bad

[@1911Zoey]

@@AnnYT2 wow that is quite a fast recovery! Are you in your 20s?

[@cass_metal]

Washed out on a simple berm because I was hyper after doing some jumps and broke my clavicle 😎

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Heal up soon! -Eddie

[@cass_metal]

@@SimplyMountainBiking thank you man 🙏

[@GeetaRani-od1yq]

How is your coller bone and you removed the hardware from collar bone or not

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

It's just fine now. I have not removed the collar bone. I will not. -Eddie

[@stephenalmia8598]

I broke my right clavicle last july 30 and got surgery August 9, today im on my 6 weeks recovery im alright nothing hurt but got this numbness and stiffness on my right arm cause of this sling hopefully this comming sept. 21 of my check he will removed it cause i more comfortable without a sling on me 😅.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

I hope you are doing better today! -Eddie

[@chrisjvales2]

I literally had almost all the same injuries minus dislocated shoulder. Been recovering for about 3 weeks. I so want to get back out and be active again

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Hang in there - it will come! -Eddie

[@1911Zoey]

Take it easy. Hows your full range of motion so far?

[@chrisjvales2]

@@1911Zoey it's about 70 percent. I played about 6 holes of golf the other day at 50% without any issues

[@amierul9234]

Just broke my bone 6 weeks ago and still not prepare either surg or no. Is it OK if just healing itself or must be undergo surgery. BTW I'm 29 yo

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

I think it depends on how clean the break is and how separated the pieces of bone are. My break was not clean and the bones were far apart. That condition and my age meant that healing without bringing the bones back together would not work well. I hope you have a full recovery! -Eddie

[@Joeymga6]

I broke mine today while jumping. Now I’m out for the season. It really sucks

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Hang in there! Mine healed pretty quickly. Trick is; getting back to full riding speed. I must admit, I'm a bit timid now. -Eddie

[@coloradocamera]

How long did yours take to heal?

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

After 3 months, I was back to riding again. The rest of the battle was mental. -Eddie

[@beatsbybmc1985]

wow i broke the scapula and clavicle also.im 2 weeks in and im wondering if it could heal wrong. mines tenting,and ive heard that people will heal and it will wont be as good as it was before.im a MTB guy and trail runner. just curious about those things though...

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

How'd you heal up? -Eddie

[@beatsbybmc1985]

@@SimplyMountainBiking it healed wrong,got surgery after 8 months of it still hurting then that took a few months to heal,now I'm finally good.

[@jtaylor2563]

I broke my clavicle in 3 places, four broken ribs a month ago at a pump track. I had to get a cervical plate put in 7 inches long

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Get well soon! -Eddie

[@XfireKeenmike]

Please make video or a conversation about how body armor might allow a sliding fall upon impact. I think upon impact our skin and clothes ack like a sudden stopping effect causing compression and then fractures of bones.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

That's a cool idea! -Eddie

[@jd4000]

Going through this right now, just clavicle, about to get bandage off, I'm desperate to get to physio and strengthen exercise.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Good luck on your recovery! -Eddie

[@jd4000]

@@SimplyMountainBiking thanks man, it's continuing to go well 👍 even pedalled arround my parking lot for a minute this morning.

[@vitustillebeck4965]

I fell this morning on my bike and broke my collar bone. Though it doesn't hurt it bothers me that I'll have to skip the gym and spring gymnastics for at least 6 weeks I am 15, so it will go pretty fast, but it socks. I now have nothing to do for 6 weeks

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

You'll be back in no time! -Eddie

[@alvierisolorio1791]

I’m watching this because I also broke my left clavicle in a mtb accident

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Good luck on your recovery! -Eddie

[@breadstickpapi3266]

Broke my collarbone about a month ago bombing this huge hill on my skateboard lmao went tumbling like a rag doll and landed right on my shoulder upon initial impact i guess. At this point its about halfway healed so it dosent hurt too much and i use my arm for a lot of things but i still cant be as active as i would like which sucks, but ill be back at it in another month i know for sure. Compared to other bones Ive broken this was the least painful definitely.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

My collarbone wasn't very painful either - it was everything else! Glad to hear you are on the mend. -Eddie

[@RoadTripUSA]

Do you know where the break was on your collarbone? Was it at the end near the shoulder?

[@RoadTripUSA]

@BreadStickPapi Do you know where the break was on your collarbone? Was it at the end near the shoulder?

[@djurowsky123]

I have a question if you could answer it from your personal expirience. Broke my clavicle month ago. Road cycling injury. Didn't have surgery. Bone placed and healed perfectly. So, four weeks later I'm free from the sling, and now I've noticed that I can't lift my arm straight up high, nor can I touch the oposite shoulder, or ear by using the busted hand. It's left side shoulder that I've broke and I can't go up front or right with my hand. When I grab my left hand with my healty right hand, I can move it up, down, left, right, front, back, no pain, nothing. Moves perfectly. But If I try to use only my left hand, only using left hand, left shoulder muscles, I can't do it. I just can't. Hurts like hell. I can't lift my arm more than 90 degrees. The question is, is that normal? Being an athlete, I feel miserable and sad right now.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

I had a similar experience. Keeping my arm immobile for a long while caused some "locking in" in the rotator cuff muscles and others. Daily stretching and exercise brought back all of my mobility and strength. Hang in there - you'll get it back! -Eddie

[@djurowsky123]

@@SimplyMountainBiking Thank you very much for your respond. Couple of days later, I'm much more mobile, and the strength is coming back. Inch by inch, so to speak. Still my arm feel very "wooden", but I can clearly see the progress. Guess, it just takes time for this type of trauma. 👍

[@RoadTripUSA]

@@djurowsky123 Do you know where your injury or what type of break it was? My husband broke his collarbone but its a distal third so right on the ned near the shoulder. He cant decide whether to get the surgery or not.

[@djurowsky123]

@@RoadTripUSA In the middle of the bone, 19mm diagonal fracture. 20mm is tolerances for not getting the surgery, and that's always a better solution. I'm all good today. Healed perfectly. Everything is normal. The doctors know what they're doing.

[@brinkmanjs]

Didn't read the other replies. So I apologize if it's a repeat but it definitely helps to do physical therapy and get some mobilization for your shoulder area. And physical therapy helps me a lot. With that I broke my mind about 2 months ago and I'm still on the fence about surgery. It's a distilled break it tents kind of like his did. I probably should get it surgically. Repair, but I'm trying not to anyway. Sorry about the long reply. But physical therapies your answer.

[@dougnevitt2257]

Doing any trainer riding without that arm eight bearing to stay in biking shape?

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

I had a high-end indoor bike a few years ago. Just couldn't get into stationary biking. I have a stepper I plan to use when the arm comes out of the sling, though. -Eddie

[@adrian_veidt]

I broke my collarbone last October. Went OTB and hit a rock crushing my collarbone. Had a titanium plate surgically installed.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Good luck on your recovery! -Eddie

[@adrian_veidt]

@@SimplyMountainBiking I'm jealous you get to recover in just 2-3 months. It's almost 7 months since my surgery and I can still feel numbness on my left deltoid hope you can post videos about recovering mentally

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

@@adrian_veidt I also feel numbness in my deltoid and the top of my pectoral. It's going away very slowly... Mentally, I've not fully recovered. I am more reserved on the gnarly bits - but still having fun riding! -Eddie

[@adrian_veidt]

@@SimplyMountainBiking It's almost a year my friend and I'm feeling parasthesia on the deltoid. I wonder if you felt the same

[@de-bodgery]

I did this! I got hit by a car, flew over the hood and landed on my right shoulder. That was super fun!

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

That's an interesting perspective... Haha! -Eddie

[@de-bodgery]

@@SimplyMountainBiking LOL...nice to see we both understand sarcasm. Obviously breaking your collar bone is the opposite of "super fun". I saw where his shoulder bulged out...mine did that too. I broke mine in 1986. I had nearly forgotten about it until I saw that bulge under the skin and it all came rushing back! I have crunchy bits in my right shoulder from it. I move my right shoulder in the right way and it's all crunchy in there. No pain, just little bits of cartilage move around and I feel/hear them. Yeah...super duper fun!

[@Omenxiiii]

I broke mine 5 days ago and am so scared of surgery.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

I understand - surgeries aren't fun. I've had a few myself and this one was not very bad. Stay on top of the pain for the first day with meds and you will be fine! Happy recovery! -Eddie

[@conquest12331]

hello everyone i got an mid clsvicle fracture and i just got surgery and my doctor tell me that i can now not wear my sling at home. any advice for fast recovery and no errors?

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Don't rush/push too hard - but work towards flexibility diligently. -Eddie

[@Rydens_hockey_life_]

Rough day, separated my shoulder and broken collarbone and season ending injury, juts trying to help pull a bully off his friend and as they were walking away the guy came and pushed me from behind resulting in the injury, and in a tonne of pain, really rough day for Me

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Did you heal up well? -Eddie

[@Jesus.X]

Your clavicle was broken worse than mine my bones were close to each other barely displaced and it healed well without surgery but my rotator cuff is still acting weird breaking your clavicle messes with it. My clavicle has a bump but it is small but it still healed a bit deformed.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Glad you're all healed up. I have several bumps on mine - from the plate! -Eddie

[@swxrvn.7159]

I ran into a kid reaching for a ball with my left hand I have a bump near shoulder near my collarbone every time I move my arm it stiffens and hurts what could of happen to me

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Hmm - did you ever figure this out? -Eddie

[@barrontrump3943]

My clavicle got chunked out like in the thumbnail. Motorcycle crash into sand pit 🙄 Broken from both ends. Docs say nah to surgery and that it will just be a lumpy collar bone from here on out. Its been 6 weeks and i can ride but its very sketchy. Need another 6 weeks for the bones to fully fuse

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

How'd your recovery go? -Eddie

[@TehonaMeagan]

I’m 14 and broke my clavicle last Sunday and I’m so lucky I had enough adrenaline to get back to the car it was hard work 😓 I don’t think I’m gonna get surgery

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

How did you heal? -Eddie

[@rhea3133]

Same. Broke it on a trail jump and hit the tree,bike survived but I ended up with broken collarbone and ribs,both on the right hand side so can’t do much except sitting on the couch and breathing like a french pug

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

How'd you heal up? -Eddie

[@kristopmonreal9601]

3weels now since i got accident also on bike.my clavicle also broken and my humerus.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Speedy recovery! -Eddie

[@abinabi6519]

✌now mee tooo🙆‍♂️

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Another one joins the club! -Eddie

[@crf450rbulletdavid9]

I crashed my sport bike. Same injuries pretty much but no surgery. I had a broken right coller bone, fractured scapula and I also broke a piece in my back but they weren't too worried about that one. It wasn't an important piece I guess. A week after I got covid to the point where I dont remember anything for days due to lack of oxygen. I woke up in the hospital days later finding out I had covid and got flown to a hospital in a nearby city. I was dreaming constantly but dont remember shit from the real world. It was frustrating. I couldnt do anything on my own for a while. Oh yeah, when i woke up my left arm was also swollen. Idk if i had a fall or if maybe a nurse blew out a vein trying to do an iv. Idk but thats all i needed was more injuries. Im finally getting my health back day by day. That crash was with some pretty good riding gear. I might not be here without all that gear.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

I'm glad you made it! What a difficult story. I hope things get better for you fast! -Eddie

[@crf450rbulletdavid9]

@@SimplyMountainBiking you too!! Hope everything is good with you. I'm slowly starting to gather the parts to fix my bike. Thanks.

[@skylarnicely6496]

Broke my left collarbone 3 days ago so I understand

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Heal fast! -Eddie

[@jamesroberts3642]

Why is there no collarbone protection for mountainbikers? Since that's the most common injury

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Not sure it can be protected against. The collarbone collapses under load force, not impact. Load on the outside shoulder is transferred across the collarbone, snapping it. -Eddie

[@jamesroberts3642]

@@SimplyMountainBiking )--:

[@BadManWithAMadPlan]

I just did it on my ebike. So I fractured my clavicle today. Blackout drunk, I don't even remember doing it

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

How'd you heal up? -Eddie

[@BadManWithAMadPlan]

@SimplyMountainBiking amazingly well. It barely even hurt. All the broken ribs really hurt😁 my surgeon did really good work. It broke into 15 pieces and I got a titanium strap and 10 screws. It barely looks asymmetrical anymore

[@garyhosten6281]

Clavicle broke in a fight i got chopped by a blade and it cut through the put two titanium plates for proper healing and stability its close to a month since this happend

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Get well soon! -Eddie

[@mattsmalls6078]

Does anyone have a tip for putting on / taking off a T-shirt? That sh*t is torture with a broken clavicle.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

We bought a few comfy vee-neck shirts so the head hole would be bigger! -Eddie

[@Laku69power]

Same I fractured my collier bone

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

How did your recovery go? -Eddie

[@BBD_Bangali]

How are you wearing t-shirt after 2 weeks ?

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

So much help from my lovely wife. :) -Eddie

[@whitetiger6618]

I just had surgery on my collarbone. I fell in my shower an my shouIder hit the back of my tub. I keep thinking this pain is never going away! Lol

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Mine did eventually go away... Good luck! -Eddie

[@jaymoacp975]

What’s the monetary damage for all that? Serious question. Lol

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

If I recall correctly, $30,000 was the total cost. My portion was somewhere between $200 - $300? I have very good insurance. 🙂 -Eddie

[@markmoreno7295]

Prevention. Aside from not riding, is there any kind of padding which may have lessened your injury? Just wondering since I am just starting out.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

A strike from the right (wrong?) angle on the shoulder and there's not much you can do. Since the shoulder "floats" and the only partial connection to the body is the collarbone - through two facet joints - it's likely to fracture. Having a bit more muscle in the deltoid and pectoral muscles may have helped me - but pads wouldn't have done much. -Eddie

[@SingaporeUntold]

Don’t think so. It’s just not a strong bone. Alternative would be sticking your arm out and maybe breaking your wrist? I think best just to roll it out.

[@TheBRADLEYJAMES123]

i just broke mine , mtb over the handle, they didnt do surgery

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Did you heal up well? -Eddie

[@rajagopal8843]

I am just 10 before surgery very pain

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

You'll get through it! If an old bold rider like me can do it - you sure can! -Eddie

[@rajagopal8843]

Recovery time😍 bro

[@oldgeezerproductions]

About two and a half months ago I was practicing low speed motorcycle maneuvers when my engine quit and slammed me hard on the pavement on my left side. I was within my "golden hour" so when I got over my initial shock, I was able to pick up my 500 lb bike and ride it home. The collar bone at the break started swelling almost immediately, but by not moving my left arm away from my body, I was able to control the pain. A day later, I went to the ER to be X-rayed and yes, I had broken the collar bone at a rather long, shallow angle and it was naturally in opposition. They gave me a sling, but to put it on was too painful, so I never used it. A week or so later I was able to get my clothes off an took my first shower. After two weeks, with a large lump where the break was, I was able to start using my left arm, but with some pain. I have many chores to do every day, so I had to work through the pain, trusting my body to know when to cut back. When it would hurt too much, I would stop, but continued to use the arm and shoulder as much as possible. To my satisfaction, I quickly regained nearly full motion within about three weeks, but with some pain. After about a month and a half, I had full motion and full use of my left arm even to the point of lifting heavy weights and all completely without pain as if the injury had never happened. I still have a large lump of what feels like hard bone where the fracture was. By the way, I am a very short and active 77 year old guy who has taken Vitamin K3 and D2 supplements for quite some time before this injury. I have taken some rather bad falls from horses and motorcycles mostly without injury and always considered myself as having "strong bones."

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Wow - thank you for sharing your story. Very interesting! -Eddie

[@Phoenix-oc6tc]

I just snap my collarbone to mate

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Did you heal up well? -Eddie

[@polishguywithhardtospellna8227]

Pins? Screws? 🤔 Let's settle on straight spokes 😂

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Haha! -Eddie

[@Ryan-Batty-1994]

I’m same at min☹️

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

You have a broken collarbone too? -Eddie

[@Ryan-Batty-1994]

@@SimplyMountainBiking ye went flying off push bike into concrete☹️

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

That sounds horrible! -Eddie

[@Ryan-Batty-1994]

@@SimplyMountainBiking how are you now?

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

@Ryan Batty Better every day! After the first week of physical therapy, I'd say I've recovered 75% of my original range of motion. I'm not doing any strength training yet - but I'm hopeful I can begin that soon! -Eddie

[@michaelnotigan7796]

Maybe time to reevaluate the kind of riding you do. Critique your own limitations. Tone things down out on the trail or courses. And continued good luck with your recovery.

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Thanks for the tips! Yes - I plan on backing away from 'competitive' events and just ride for fun. I was riding that wall just fine until I got target fixation on that tape. -Eddie

[@Designandrew]

@@SimplyMountainBiking I busted my clavicle and 3 ribs a week ago chasing a strava KOM.. needless to say I'm done with that and I'm done with racing fullstop.

[@scottbates5099]

Get ready for a lifetime of collar bone pain. From someone that's had it.

[@sanchous85]

I've had both of mine broken. Zero pain once healed up. Did you have surgery?

[@SimplyMountainBiking]

Sounds like no fun! -Eddie

[@oace8176]

@@sanchous85 did u let it heal without surgery