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Broken clavicle(post-op)

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Yourboybangs
Posts: 319 - Karma: 202
Hey guys,

Managed to break my collarbone(clavicle) on Saturday after the worst attempt at a nollie of the season. So I had my surgery done this morning, and i'm on Oxy now but painkillers 1.don't do too much for me 2.don't make me groggy/buzzed. I actually feel really great considering the surgery consisting of a plate and 6 screws was done approx 10 hours ago.

So here is what i'm looking for,basically just some stories/advice from people who have had similar injuries,proceeded by the same surgery and how long it took you to get out on skis/how long it took to start lapping park again.

Thanks in advance for any help that you may be able to provide!

Will post pics if anyones interested.
Dec 30 2015 8:21PM
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loopie
Posts: 142 - Karma: 152
I broke my collar bone in a biking accident. It only took about 4 weeks to heal before I was rock climbing again. Although I required no surgery.

I enjoyed doing puzzles in my down time.

Also a collar bone break does not make you immobile. I don't know what kind of pain you are in but I was back to hiking about a week after my break and hiking 14ers in Southern CO about 3 weeks after.

It sucks for jerking it though, I had to be a switch hitter for a little bit ;)
Dec 30 2015 10:05PM
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Swandog7
Posts: 4955 - Karma: 9,021
3 years ago I destroyed my left clavicle, no surgery and took about 6 weeks. Hurt a lot when changing clothes and small things like that. Get used to showering every 3 days or so. Wear the same undershirt for about 3 day then change when you shower.wear baggy clothes if you can.

I'm now sitting with a right broke clavicle, no surgery and it's gonna be 3 weeks tomorrow since. I'm going really strong and have been skiing about a week but no spins, jumps, or high impact. I hit small rails and runs atm. I'm hoping to be back in a week or 2 tops. Now it doesn't hurt to change clothes, and can pick up light objects with my hand.

*Make sure you keep your shoulders pushed back and ice it, you could shave off up to a week of healing. I'm doing this as much as possible and it's working it seems.
Dec 30 2015 10:23PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,093
I recently had surgery on my collar bone (second surgery) and im about 2 and 1/2 weeks out. I had two plates and a bone graft, kind of intense haha. My shoulder is a bit sore still, but my hip has been the worst pain. Im able to almost completely raise my hand though and im holding very light things with my hurt arm.

I had an issue with my bone healing in the first place, I probably shouldve got surgery but my doctor thought it might heal. 4 months later I had my first surgery and i felt really good after 2 weeks and i return to work too early, hauling around equipment, shooting on hill, etc. I tried really hard to not use my hurt arm but I definitely did too much and my plate started to come off my bone.

I would recommend being very careful, dealing with my collar bone for 6th months has been a PITA and you already got surgery so you're a good path of healing. I'm super paranoid about healing right now so im probably going to wait til 4 weeks to go skiing, but as soon as it feels stronger, its still weak. so just be careful.
Dec 30 2015 11:58PM
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Gr0mo
Posts: 707 - Karma: 3,663
YourboybangsHey guys,

Managed to break my collarbone(clavicle) on Saturday after the worst attempt at a nollie

how the fuck did you manage to break your collar bone on a nollie???

like i'm seriously curious on how that's even possible.
Dec 31 2015 2:12PM
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JibbaTheHutt
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 1,597
broke my collarbone and had exactly the same surgery as you at the end of jan last season. The most annoying thing i found was not being able to get changed/shower by myself for the first week to 10 days. also for the first few days my pain killers always wore off before going to sleep which sucks.

Its cray how much muscle wastage yopu get from not using your arm for even a couple of weeks, literally could barely lift my arm 45 degrees without assistance from my other arm.

I was back skiing park (keeping it chill) by the end of march, might of been able to go earlier, but wanted to be sure everything was strong(ish)
Dec 31 2015 3:21PM
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petro
Posts: 657 - Karma: 456
shattered my right clav at stevens not even in the park, just caught a lurker on a semi-steep run. like you I had the plate/screws put in so it would heal correctly. not a fun time at all, fuck ever going through that again. had a hell of a time wearing anything other than silk shirts for awhile (swag) but i was off the pills about 4 days after surgery. im about 10 months out from surgery now. the plate doesnt really bother me but I can notice its there at all times. the body just sorta accepts it over time i guess. my surgeon also mentioned there was no way he would ever attempt to fix it if i had let it heal on its own then go back for surgery, so good work on just getting that shit done. ive been out 7 times so far and always mindful about falling on my right side

the scar looks pretty badass tho. heal up quick homie, nollie first run no fucks
Dec 31 2015 3:57PM
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Yourboybangs
Posts: 319 - Karma: 202
Gr0mohow the fuck did you manage to break your collar bone on a nollie???

like i'm seriously curious on how that's even possible.


Get out of my thread, your mom knows though, ask her
Jan 1 2016 12:35PM
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Yourboybangs
Posts: 319 - Karma: 202
eheathI recently had surgery on my collar bone (second surgery) and im about 2 and 1/2 weeks out. I had two plates and a bone graft, kind of intense haha. My shoulder is a bit sore still, but my hip has been the worst pain. Im able to almost completely raise my hand though and im holding very light things with my hurt arm.

I had an issue with my bone healing in the first place, I probably shouldve got surgery but my doctor thought it might heal. 4 months later I had my first surgery and i felt really good after 2 weeks and i return to work too early, hauling around equipment, shooting on hill, etc. I tried really hard to not use my hurt arm but I definitely did too much and my plate started to come off my bone.

I would recommend being very careful, dealing with my collar bone for 6th months has been a PITA and you already got surgery so you're a good path of healing. I'm super paranoid about healing right now so im probably going to wait til 4 weeks to go skiing, but as soon as it feels stronger, its still weak. so just be careful.


Thanks a lot dude;
Obviously took it easy last night which wasn't easy, but I feel pretty rad for 2 days post op!!
Will post updates!

Here was my break pre-op as well if you were curious(bones needed to be resectioned 2.34cm)
Jan 1 2016 12:39PM
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Yourboybangs
Posts: 319 - Karma: 202
Just updating here,

Feeling pretty bomb for 3 days post surgery, rode the stationary bike for about a half hour!
Jan 2 2016 3:18PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,093
YourboybangsJust updating here,

Feeling pretty bomb for 3 days post surgery, rode the stationary bike for about a half hour!


Like I said before, be careful. I found after both surgery's I had that just relaxing and icing helped the most. I've been super mellow for the last 18 days and my shoulder feels better everyday, basically zero pain just weakness. I know how I felt 3 days after and I didn't even wanna go to work and sit at a computer, but maybe I'm just an old man haha.
Jan 2 2016 4:00PM
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Yourboybangs
Posts: 319 - Karma: 202
eheathLike I said before, be careful. I found after both surgery's I had that just relaxing and icing helped the most. I've been super mellow for the last 18 days and my shoulder feels better everyday, basically zero pain just weakness. I know how I felt 3 days after and I didn't even wanna go to work and sit at a computer, but maybe I'm just an old man haha.


Honestly I'm at a pretty shitty stand-still because i'm a University student, so I start class monday and the workload is light until February when I'll be healed.
Jan 2 2016 4:14PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,093
YourboybangsHonestly I'm at a pretty shitty stand-still because i'm a University student, so I start class monday and the workload is light until February when I'll be healed.


Luckily sitting at a computer its pretty easy on your clavicle, walking around is fine too especially after a couple weeks you'll be close to pain free. I'm at the point now where I have to tell myself not do shit cause I know how weak I still am even though it doesn't hurt.
Jan 2 2016 4:19PM
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Yourboybangs
Posts: 319 - Karma: 202
eheathLuckily sitting at a computer its pretty easy on your clavicle, walking around is fine too especially after a couple weeks you'll be close to pain free. I'm at the point now where I have to tell myself not do shit cause I know how weak I still am even though it doesn't hurt.


Ya my doc said hopefully I'll be able to do some light cruising on my reading week(Feb 13th-20). But thanks again for all the insight man, definitely gave me some piece of mind!
Jan 2 2016 4:21PM
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Yourboybangs
Posts: 319 - Karma: 202
bump
Jan 3 2016 3:29PM
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QuinnBestwick
Posts: 693 - Karma: 751
Broke my collar bone a month a ago now, I didn't need surgery though. They told me 4-6 weeks. It definitely is starting feel good but I'm pretty nervous about falling on it anytime soon. I also can't really just take it easy so I'm not going to ski for a week or two, I definitely would be fine to cruise if I just took it easy. Follow your the advice you were given and take it easy for a while.
Jan 3 2016 8:01PM
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Swandog7
Posts: 4955 - Karma: 9,021
YourboybangsJust updating here,

Feeling pretty bomb for 3 days post surgery, rode the stationary bike for about a half hour!



I felt bomb after a week. Iced and sat still and for another week and felt 4x as good. Id say just ice a lot and don't move it, the early stages are the most important for healing. If you use it to early it might not heal right and you could need surgery again. Keep it it cool atleast until week 4.

QuinnBestwickBroke my collar bone a month a ago now, I didn't need surgery though. They told me 4-6 weeks. It definitely is starting feel good but I'm pretty nervous about falling on it anytime soon. I also can't really just take it easy so I'm not going to ski for a week or two, I definitely would be fine to cruise if I just took it easy. Follow your the advice you were given and take it easy for a while.


Ive been too 4-5 because i had a lucky break i guess. Ive been causing on skis for about 2 weeks now lightly. I feel ok but I've been off snow incase. Taking a whole week off this week. Will be 4 weeks this thursday for me. Im going to take x rays again tomorrow to see how its healing.
Jan 3 2016 8:14PM
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Deforestation
Posts: 1606 - Karma: 3,194
Don't have any personal experience with broken clavicle but a couple years ago a kid on my hockey team broke his pretty bad. He was out for a while (6 weeks?) but I believe he ended up fully recovering without any lasting problems.

My advice is to rest. Don't rush a return and when you do come back, ease into it. The worst thing to do is push it when it's not fully healed and fucking it up again.
Jan 3 2016 8:25PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51652 - Karma: 162,332
Once you're allowed to move it a good stretch is pulling your shitty arm up behind your back with a belt. I never got back to 100% but did alright. Shattered it, had 2 surgeries, was out for the season but was a work injury so other than sneaking a few runs in here and there was pretty much out for all of jan, feb, and march. Kind of a bummer but whatever.

One seaso my buddy broke his arm pretty bad and did a lot of our filming.

Idk, be careful if you go out. Best to let things heal properly the first time.
Do your PT obviously, don't get addicted to painkillers, and get back out there when you;re ready.
Jan 3 2016 8:48PM
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Yourboybangs
Posts: 319 - Karma: 202
BortyOnce you're allowed to move it a good stretch is pulling your shitty arm up behind your back with a belt. I never got back to 100% but did alright. Shattered it, had 2 surgeries, was out for the season but was a work injury so other than sneaking a few runs in here and there was pretty much out for all of jan, feb, and march. Kind of a bummer but whatever.

One seaso my buddy broke his arm pretty bad and did a lot of our filming.

Idk, be careful if you go out. Best to let things heal properly the first time.
Do your PT obviously, don't get addicted to painkillers, and get back out there when you;re ready.


Funny you mention the painkillers, my dad(a psychologist) has been making an attempt to ween me off of them, but tbh i'm stuck at home doing nothing so feeling a little wavey isn't gonna hurt me until they're done.

Also did you look at my x-ray further up? Fortunately it didnt shatter, but was a 2 piece clean break, so hopefully the recovery isnt as bad. For sure gonna be shooting a ton this season until I'm confident that I'm strong again.
+how many screws/ how many inches was your plate?
Jan 3 2016 10:56PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51652 - Karma: 162,332
YourboybangsFunny you mention the painkillers, my dad(a psychologist) has been making an attempt to ween me off of them, but tbh i'm stuck at home doing nothing so feeling a little wavey isn't gonna hurt me until they're done.

Also did you look at my x-ray further up? Fortunately it didnt shatter, but was a 2 piece clean break, so hopefully the recovery isnt as bad. For sure gonna be shooting a ton this season until I'm confident that I'm strong again.
+how many screws/ how many inches was your plate?



Yeah I mean I ate them a ton for injuries back when they were giving out huge ones like crazy. I remember the vicodin script I had for my back/femur. That shit was gnar. I was fine, Enjoyed it, and had no problem stopping.

It's just more of a PSA to be aware though. Because you take some painkillers doesn't mean you're going to get addicted to them, but it definitely happens, and opiate addiction sucks so even if you're enjoying getting a bit loopy, just respect them.

I have no idea how many screws. It wasn't ridiculous. It was only in like 4 pieces I think. Had a plate running the whole span screwing it all back together though.

Actually was pretty good about letting mine heal other than the stretching. Really only notice the loss of movement when in the shower and reaching my upper back from below. My right arm doesn't go nearly as far up as my left. I could probably still work on it and stretch it but I'm lazy and don't really care.

Hopefully you're back on the slopes soon though. I did mine new years day so about the same time as you.
Jan 4 2016 12:25AM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,093
YourboybangsFunny you mention the painkillers, my dad(a psychologist) has been making an attempt to ween me off of them, but tbh i'm stuck at home doing nothing so feeling a little wavey isn't gonna hurt me until they're done.

Also did you look at my x-ray further up? Fortunately it didnt shatter, but was a 2 piece clean break, so hopefully the recovery isnt as bad. For sure gonna be shooting a ton this season until I'm confident that I'm strong again.
+how many screws/ how many inches was your plate?


I meant to post my xrays before, so better late than never.

break (after 3 months, didnt heal)


First surgery (one plate, 8 screws) the looks left side of the plate came up off my bone, i forgot to take a pic, mostly because i was so pissed


Second surgery (two plates, 15 screws and a bone graft)
Jan 4 2016 12:44AM
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Rparr
Posts: 5562 - Karma: 45,585
eheathI meant to post my xrays before, so better late than never.

break (after 3 months, didnt heal)


First surgery (one plate, 8 screws) the looks left side of the plate came up off my bone, i forgot to take a pic, mostly because i was so pissed


Second surgery (two plates, 15 screws and a bone graft)

Damn that's some serious shit. Been skiing pretty hard on a compromised knee lately but now I think I'll take it easy for a bit. Good luck staying off that
Jan 4 2016 1:30AM
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Zypher
Posts: 2337 - Karma: 2,268
Broke my collarbone doing the stupidest thing ever, holding on to a tail grab for too long. After surgery, let it rest for a week or two, then just start curling and stretching your shoulder with 5 or 10 pound weights to regain some muscle strength. (Might sound stupid but it works) To answer your question, I was back on skis in three weeks and playing lacrosse in a month and a half. Word of advice, don't fall on it because it will hurt like a mother fucker and don't do any push-ups for like 2 months


Initial break was nearly 3 inches of displacement with a bunch of fragments


Plate + 9 Screws Later...



After all 14 staples were removed
Jan 4 2016 3:34AM
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Yourboybangs
Posts: 319 - Karma: 202
Thought I'd update,

So I went skiing for the first time 37 days after my surgery(couldn't turn down a free ride to Bromont/Mtl from Ontario for the weekend), cruised for about 4 hours and probably rode the park for an hour. Felt pretty good actually, had one fall on the day where I kinda washed out but I managed to keep my arm out of the mix.

Will post pics of the plate,however the doc said probably 3 more weeks till the bone is 100% as strong as it was before the break.
Feb 10 2016 10:14PM
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Aharrelson358
Posts: 356 - Karma: 478
Gr0mohow the fuck did you manage to break your collar bone on a nollie???

like i'm seriously curious on how that's even possible.


A collarbone only takes 8 pounds of pressure to break. It's one of the easiest bones in the body to break. You could walk down the street, trip and fall and very easy break your collarbone. So that's how he broke it on a nollie
Feb 11 2016 12:46AM
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JimmyGreen
Posts: 96 - Karma: 2,287
a clavicle is a vagina...
Feb 11 2016 1:11AM
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zerospinskier
Posts: 4867 - Karma: 350
YourboybangsThought I'd update,

So I went skiing for the first time 37 days after my surgery(couldn't turn down a free ride to Bromont/Mtl from Ontario for the weekend), cruised for about 4 hours and probably rode the park for an hour. Felt pretty good actually, had one fall on the day where I kinda washed out but I managed to keep my arm out of the mix.

Will post pics of the plate,however the doc said probably 3 more weeks till the bone is 100% as strong as it was before the break.


Just be careful. I had basically the same thing. Once I started activity again I would get a weird pain from easy falls on that shoulder for a long time. It was probably a combo of atrophy and the plate feeling weird. I am a few years out now and still have numbness from the nerve block shot and some weird feelings on shoulder falls, but overall I don't notice it at all. Sounds like you're healing well.
Feb 11 2016 1:28AM
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Yourboybangs
Posts: 319 - Karma: 202
zerospinskierJust be careful. I had basically the same thing. Once I started activity again I would get a weird pain from easy falls on that shoulder for a long time. It was probably a combo of atrophy and the plate feeling weird. I am a few years out now and still have numbness from the nerve block shot and some weird feelings on shoulder falls, but overall I don't notice it at all. Sounds like you're healing well.


Thanks for the tips dude!
Ya it felt pretty good, im taking it super easy the rest of this season for sure, and as far as the numbness that wouldn't be from the nerve block, but rather nerve damage, as there is a nerve plexus directly under your collarbone that runs to under your shoulder! It sometimes gets damaged during the fall but more commonly during surgery, thanks again tho dude!
Feb 11 2016 2:01AM
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Yourboybangs
Posts: 319 - Karma: 202
Aharrelson358A collarbone only takes 8 pounds of pressure to break. It's one of the easiest bones in the body to break. You could walk down the street, trip and fall and very easy break your collarbone. So that's how he broke it on a nollie

S/o your kinesiology knowledge
Feb 11 2016 2:05AM
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YunGBlood
Posts: 186 - Karma: 186
I broke mine in a hockey game. No surgery, I went to play again after 6 weeks and it was not healed all the way yet (thanks Doc). Re-injured it and it took about another 4 weeks to i was able to play. You will still have a little pain for about a week(if you play sports) but skiing you should be good
Feb 11 2016 9:14AM
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Randy_Quench
Posts: 5447 - Karma: 4,343
Broke mine in 2 places, so instead of it looking like this: ____ it is now: __/‾‾‾
Not really a huge deal. My left shoulder is about half an inch shorter than my right, so getting fitted for a suit gets a little interesting but who wears suits anyways?

I didn't get surgery, I was being treated for a bruised kidney, ruptured spleen, and internal bleeding, so fixing my collarbone wasn't a priority. Plus the doc said in today's practice people rarely fixes collarbones anymore. Fixing a clavicle is more about the aesthetics than function.

To answer your question- even with my other injuries I was back on skis in 44 days. I could have skied earlier but I was worried about blowing the clot off my spleen and bleeding out. I skied in a sling for a week or two, less because of support and more of a reminder not to do anything stupid.

TLDR: Give it a month, take it easy/ski in a sling for a week, shred by week 5.
Feb 11 2016 10:20AM
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Randy_Quench
Posts: 5447 - Karma: 4,343
Double post because IDGAF

Here's some inspiration from Gus

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/790617/a-sunny-afternoon
Feb 11 2016 10:26AM
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skittiti
Posts: 172 - Karma: 434
I know your pain, i've broken my collarbone twice, once snowboarding about 7 years ago and then again playing hockey a few years back. I got the plate put in just like you did, and probably within a week or so i was noticing a significant improvement in mobility and quality of life.

Granted, i had surgery in the summer so there was no rush to get back onto snow, but i was back playing hockey about 3 weeks or so after the surgery. In your case, if you take it easy and relax, you could probably be back on snow in a week or two, but i wouldn't start sending it in the park for at least 3 weeks
Feb 11 2016 10:38AM
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LeapedTanks
Posts: 2 - Karma: 11
First post, I broke it 4 days before new year. Had surgery 2 weeks later, now after 6 weeks broke another part of the clavicle. Now in hospital for a week because the bone is infected. They took out the plate from the first operation. Now gotta wait for the antibiotics to work, maybe an operation for the infection and maybe another operation for the bone....
Feb 25 2016 2:48PM
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Wibby
Posts: 293 - Karma: 165
strong tip. Spray on Deodorant.
Feb 25 2016 3:44PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,093
LeapedTanksFirst post, I broke it 4 days before new year. Had surgery 2 weeks later, now after 6 weeks broke another part of the clavicle. Now in hospital for a week because the bone is infected. They took out the plate from the first operation. Now gotta wait for the antibiotics to work, maybe an operation for the infection and maybe another operation for the bone....


Yeah man you gotta be careful after surgery, I only skied like twice when I was 6 weeks out, waited to really go up a bunch until I was 8 weeks. Im at 10 weeks now and im stoked I kept it so mellow for the first 6.
Feb 25 2016 3:47PM
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Yourboybangs
Posts: 319 - Karma: 202
Bump.
Been riding full speed for the last 2 weekends with no issues, knock on wood.
Thanks everyone especially Eheath for the advice.
Dope to be riding again!
Mar 24 2016 9:35PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,093
YourboybangsBump.
Been riding full speed for the last 2 weekends with no issues, knock on wood.
Thanks everyone especially Eheath for the advice.
Dope to be riding again!


Going skiing again for the first time since my surgery was the best fucking thing ever, life changed man, at least for me haha. I wasn't really depressed but I was just so bored and lazy for the 7ish months after I broke my collarbone. It was mellow at first, but as soon as I started missing skiing, it was brutal. Drank more, smoked more, it was definitely not a fun dec/jan for me. Stoked you're doing good man.
Mar 24 2016 10:28PM
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beezey
Posts: 9027 - Karma: 427
eheathI was just so bored and lazy
psh the most lazy
Mar 25 2016 4:08PM
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Yourboybangs
Posts: 319 - Karma: 202
eheathGoing skiing again for the first time since my surgery was the best fucking thing ever, life changed man, at least for me haha. I wasn't really depressed but I was just so bored and lazy for the 7ish months after I broke my collarbone. It was mellow at first, but as soon as I started missing skiing, it was brutal. Drank more, smoked more, it was definitely not a fun dec/jan for me. Stoked you're doing good man.


I spent the majority of a month feeling bad for myself, not going to class and smoking more than usual. So I definitely understand where you're coming from. I personally think I just had a bad mindset, one where I assumed I was more capable/healed than doctors told me because I felt awesome.Thats where you helped keep me in check, especially after the bone graft situation. Honestly once the good news started coming it just kept coming which I was obviously blessed by. Thanks again for the input dude, ended up being extremely beneficial in retrospect.
Mar 25 2016 8:18PM
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