The Ironman and the Broken Clavicle

Triathlete Tomasz Jankowski has no memory of the bike accident. It was October 10, a few days before the 2012 Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, and Jankowski was finishing up a light training ride on a portion of the Ironman course called the Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway.
"I was about two or three miles from where I'd left my car and the last thing I remember thinking was, 'I'm having a great day; it's going to be an awesome race on Saturday,'" he recalls.
Jankowski awoke three hours later at the Kohala Hospital emergency room, having sustained a concussion, a broken collar bone, and multiple deep body abrasions and bruises.
Once home, Jankowski met with Dartmouth-Hitchcock orthopedic surgeon James Ames, MD, MS to review his treatment options. "I asked him a ton of questions and he was able to immediately put me at ease," says Jankowski, who is a Doctor of Physical Therapy. "As a sports medicine specialist who has worked with a lot of athletes, he understood how important it was to me to regain 100 percent of my flexibility and strength so that I could return to Ironman racing."
Jankowski had the procedure done at Dartmouth-Hitchcock's Outpatient Surgery Center. "Both my wife and I were most impressed with the facility itself and the people who work there," he says. "We felt very well attended to by our care team, who provided regular updates to my wife through the 90-minute procedure. The whole care experience was far superior to other surgical procedures I've had in the past."
For those who want to learn more about the Sports Medicine team at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, visit bit.ly/12Pb0V4.

[@seanhenry8693]

Mr Jankowski, I am using your story for inspiration. I am nearly a year into my training for my first Ironman - Coeur d'Alene 2013. Two days ago, I crashed on my bike and broke my collar bone and learned today I will need surgery. I will try to emulate your positive attitude and, someday, complete my mission. Good luck in Kona

[@bomberhhh6692]

I crashed my bike and broke my collarbone. I still rode it back to the car with one hand.

[@kiking9260]

Get surgery if u can 💯

[@WillEDC]

Boss

[@alext-3467]

how long did it take you before u can swim good

[@sangeetsongs7191]

After how many days were you able to use your hand fully...?pl reply soon.

[@tsyapo]

Broke mine 2 days ago on a bike crash. It hurts like hell.😭

[@jesusdiniguez1]

how are you? are you off the sling yet? hope you heal soon!

[@akakrewsavages]

I broke my clavicle riding a bike the other day it fucking sucks

[@NationTheSadBoy]

Hey. Are you better from when you had your accident?

[@akakrewsavages]

@@NationTheSadBoy My clavicle is fucked forever Bc I didn’t wear my brace enough

[@NationTheSadBoy]

@@akakrewsavages hey man can I discuss this with you. Do you say forever because your bone is off its place of ehi is it that it's messed up FOREVER. SADBOY2001

[@aprilwah7023]

@@akakrewsavages did you do surgery?

[@akceire4393]

Great video, just broke my clavicle last Saturday and have a plate in it now. Was 1 week before the Ring of Kerry cycle. Frustrating , how long til I’m back on the bike?

[@tintin1294]

Me too i did broke my clavicle last friday . Got my plate last saturday. So sad i have it on my dominat side . Im still wodering if i could go back to regular activities after 2 months

[@Designandrew]

how long did it take?

[@Designandrew]

@@tintin1294 how long did it take tin tin?

[@bccook6311]

I just did the same thing 2 days ago I crashed my mountain bike and broke my clavicle

[@fbiopenup4773]

Hope wil heal painles

[@jesusdiniguez1]

just broke mine lol

[@aprilwah7023]

@@jesusdiniguez1 did u needed surgery?

[@jesusdiniguez1]

@@aprilwah7023 nah fam. wore my brace for 3 weeks. healed on its own. im back 100% 💪🏼🤙🏽

[@aprilwah7023]

@@jesusdiniguez1 great! Can’t wait for mine to heal

[@arilwenger]

this year is 1st ironman but.... just broke my clavicle

[@caseysimon6357]

arilwenger I’ll guess that you are back to normal by now? I’m on week 8 post-op of my left clavicle. I had 1plate with 9 screws installed.

[@akceire4393]

Casey Simon just broke mine last saturday, does It ever to the same strength ie for weight lifting and such ?

[@kututoebit-t7841]

i broke my clavicle same way