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Comment by gnarcoregrizz | Hacker News Reader

Shattered mine mountain biking as well (6 pieces). Ortho took one look at it and scheduled surgery for the next day. It wasn't a 'standard' break since it included my AC joint and coracoclavicular ligaments which needed a special type of plate. Ultimately it took 2 surgeries (ORIF, then plate removal). Total recovery was 9 months. My arm/shoulder is as strong as it was before, and it looks anatomically correct.

My shoulder immediately felt "better" after ORIF. I would suggest it if it's way out of whack... mine was drooping probably 2". I can't imagine how much it would suck if the bones healed that way.

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Mine felt immediately worse after the ORIF. After two weeks getting comfortable in their new positions, all the ligaments really resented getting wrenched back into place.

Good illustration was that my run of the mill, 45 minute surgery ended up taking 4.5 hours.

It’s good to hear that everything felt good after your plate was removed. At 18 months post-surgery, I’m in a really good place where I can do most anything I want. Only occasionally experience discomfort if my son headbutts the plate or a backpack strap rubs on it. I was in two minds about having it removed as it would be a step backwards to post-surgical, but the likelihood of me doing something stupid again in the future means it’s worth it. Rather have the fuse that a clavicle is rather than fracture my sternum!

I should restate - mine definitely did not feel better post-surgery, the ORIF pain was worse than the break, but it felt good to have my bones secure with my shoulder in its anatomically correct place, and not have any more crepitus.

My plate was extremely uncomfortable, it was a "hook plate" which held my collar bone to my scapula. I couldn't raise my arm above shoulder height with it installed, it had to be removed after 6mo.

Plate removal was a bit tougher than anticipated (short term). I read accounts of it being a 'relief' but I was in quite bit of pain.

Ah, thanks for the clarification. That post-ORIF pain being worse than the break was my experience too. Even with the plate I became quite paranoid about shifting the screws because it provided so much immediate stability I was worried I was able to do things that may loosen the screws.

A hook plate sounds horrible! Mine is a simple straight plate, bent into a helix shape to follow the natural rotation of the bone. I've got almost full mobility, although that shoulder does seize up quite readily. Not sure whether that's the plate or just remnants of the reduced mobility post-crash and post-surgery.

I've been told to expect two weeks of surgical healing and a further 4 weeks of babying it and avoiding impacts. I'm hoping your removal being tougher was due to the different plates. Would quite like it gone and to get on with my life now.

Almost everyone I know that mountain bikes, had broken their collarbone.

I plan to purchase one in the spring. This thread is giving me second thoughts lmao.

Nah do it, it added a whole new dimension to my life. You can mitigate the risk a lot, I ride fast and am definitely a bit too ambitious at times, but you can aslo ride more relaxed and safely progress your skills.

Jumping is anecdotally where most noobs bin it hard, you don't need to do jumps at all if you don't want. Many people ride around them.

Multiple folks in my family have broken their collarbone (myself included). None that ride mountain bikes 2-3 times a week have broken it biking.

(More anecdata to persuade you to buy a bike. Great fun.)

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