u/ForTeaAndToast

Hi guys, last Tuesday I (36m) broke my collar bone during a dad's race at my daughter's Sports Day.

When I went to A&E, there was no consultant available who specialises in shoulder injuries. So I was given an x-ray, a sling and sent on my way to await a review.

I was told that I may need surgery and that I would discuss this with the consultant and to think about what I would want.

Since then, I've spoken to two friends who each broke their collar bones some years ago. One had surgery and one didn't. The one who did not have surgery said that he was still suffering with issues like pain and reduced strength and flexibility. The friend who had surgery said his recovery went very well and was back riding a bike 3-4 weeks post operation.

I get that this is a sample size of two people though. So I wanted to ask, those of you that have had a broken collar bone, did you have surgery or not? How was your recovery? Do you wish things had gone the other way?

Any thoughts welcome and appreciated.

Hi everyone. On Tuesday, I (36m) broke my collar bone. I took part in a dad's race for my kid's Sports Day and tripped on an uneven bit of ground.

I went to A&E and was given an X-ray and then put in a sling. The consultant in at the time, specialised in hand injuries rather than shoulder injuries, so I'm due to have my first meeting with my proper consultant this Monday.

I'm really struggling to manage at the moment. Lack of sleep in particular, is a real issue and I've actually found I'm getting less sleep as the nights go on. Last night I got just two hours.

I've never been able to sleep on my back, even before my injury and finding a comfortable position to sleep on my good side is proving impossible.

The pain also seems to be increasing, not just in my shoulder but in my elbow and forearm, which often feel tingly and hot.

I've noticed now that my mood is very low, particularly in the evenings when my wife and daughter have gone to bed. I feel so alone and in dread of the night to come.

I'm just looking for advice/tips on the following:

1, Did anyone feel like their pain levels got worse in the initial days? Should I be worried or is this normal?

2, Did anyone else struggle with sleep levels? Are there any tips you can share on how you managed it?

3, Did anyone else experience a similar drop in mood? I want to be a good husband and father so any tips on managing this would be really appreciated.

4, I will mention all of this to my consultant on Monday. Is there anything else that people found useful to ask about?

Thank you everyone for your time.