Hellobee Boards

Just wanted to express some sympathy- I broke my collar bone when I was 16. It was pretty painful for a few weeks- especially sitting up from laying down, but I just spent the summer watching TV on the couch. Hopefully he feels better soon!

@littlejoy: The ER doc thought he might need surgery based on how far apart his bones were but the orthopedic surgeon confirmed it the next day. He was in pain when he moved his arm but when it was stable and resting it was ok just sore.

Both my DH and I broke our collarbones - him in a cycling accident and me in a car accident. His healed great and he had no problems. Mine shortened when it healed (the bone overlapped about an inch). Now my shoulder slopes some (I can't carry a purse on that shoulder without it falling off) and it caused me a lot of neck pain for at least a year. Physical therapy and massages helped eventually. Hindsight being what it is, my doctor was concerned at my two week appointment that the bone wasn't healing great and said to maybe think of surgery. I had just had abdominal surgery so having another surgery was the last thing I wanted. Looking back, I just wish I had gotten the surgery then. That being said, I think unless the bone breaks the skin or it gets broken in more than one spot, the general course of action is to let it heal on its own. I would definitely consider surgery if it seems like there will be a malunion based on the experience I had.