QUESTION: How can I accelerate the healing of a broken collarbone?

Hello Beth,

I broke my collarbone in two places, and I am in month three of healing. The doctor says it will be four months before I can surf again. I am dying to go out, and went out the other day, but had a lot of pain and was unable to hop to my feet due to the fact that it felt that my collarbone would pop. What can I do to accelerate the healing process and get in the water sooner than four months, short of jeopardizing the progress that I have made so far?

Desperate for a session,
Mark

ANSWER:

Hey Mark,

It better have been going off to get you out in the water earlier than necessary!

I am not too familiar with the exact timing on a collarbone rehab and would tend to listen to the doctor. There are different severities of breaks and other factors that go along with each individual injury. I think you broke it at the perfect time of year. Four months will put you racer-ready for the fall. By racer-ready, I mean that you will have time to start a great stretching routine (you are going to be wicked tight and out of whack from favoring the other arm), a slow strengthening regimen (by slow, I mean starting with rubber tubing and slowly advancing to weights), and maybe even a bit of time to get into a swimming pool and strengthening your surfing muscles free of board and potential hazards.

As for stretches and strengthening, it would be a good idea to get a script from your doc to send you to a physical therapist to set you up correctly. They can assess where your body is in terms of healing, flexibility, and strength. You may find that you feel somewhat vulnerable due to weakness, which can be cured through strengthening exercises.

Don't jump the gun on this, especially so close to killer swell and warm, offshore days. It is not worth it! Let pain be your guide, not your ‘jones’ or your friends.

Let me know what you decide to do.

Hasta,
Beth

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