Displaced distal clavicle fracture
Hi all,
Week long lurker first time poster. I think I have typed in every possible search for similar injuries now so need to break cover and post my own!
Background: 39 years old, 30 mile a week runner. Recently got into strength training as well (to try to avoid getting injured lol) with a p/t once a week so have just started lifting weights etc. Potentially a short lived and expensive project that….
Last week (09/05) I tripped going fast at parkrun, going full on send for a 5k pb. Landed (hard) on my shoulder then head. Went to A&E was told it was a clavicle fracture and went away with a very basic sling and no instructions. I was a bit dazed and in shock (I suspect I had a bit of concussion that wasn’t picked up at the time) so didn’t take in much other than I would be referred to the fracture clinic. Was on a weekend away so not local A&E (a whole other story)
Pain and swelling have since eased but the bump on my shoulder is very uncomfortable and poking the skin and it all seems very unstable at injury site. Miserable.
Saw a surgeon today at NHS fracture clinic and got to see the x-ray - see attached (which was a shock how gnarly it looked tbh). He didn’t make a recommendation either way I.e. surgery / non surgery. After a bit of back and forth my wife and I decided on surgery and I am waiting for a date and phone call to get that sorted.
I guess my question is, can I be confident that is the right decision? Surgeon seemed incredibly on the fence and mentioned there is very little purchase for metalwork on the bone which sounded ominous and complicated.
I am incredibly depressed at losing running, which is my passion and a huge part of my mental health so the best outcome is returning to sport ASAP. Also super busy at work and this isn’t helping that. The surgeon wasn’t opposed to me buying a static bike for cardio - any other options for low impact cardio?
I am far from a doctor but I feel the x-ray tells its own story and common sense dictates those two bones won’t reunite on their own, but would welcome opinions otherwise?
Thank you for taking the time to read and for any help and advice you can impart.
Rich