Son has a broken collar bone - JP Fitness Forums

bfoley · 03-05-2008, 05:48 PM

My 14 year old son broke his right collar bone in a lacrosse game in late January. I took him to see an Ortho who specializes in Sports Medicine/Rehabilitation. He put my son in a figure-8 harness and gave him an ultra-sound machine that he would apply twice a day for 1/2 hour. This supposedly stimulates bone growth/repair.

Anyway, last Friday he was cleared to resume phyiscal activity but no physical contact. He's in 8th grade and was asked to play on the JV team this year, and was supposed to take a test to see if he measured up to some standards out school district has. Part of the test was the standing long jump. He tried practicing it on Sunday, landed perfectly, and re-broke the collar bone. Had him back to the Ortho and he's in the figure-8 for 6-8 weeks.

So, in addition to the ultra-sound, are there any nutritional supplements that I can give him to facilitate the healing process ? Sorry for the long-winded post. Thanks.

Brian

Jean-Paul · 03-05-2008, 07:38 PM

Sounds like he better sit this season out. I hate to be a debbie-downer, but if he wants to take part in athletics in the future, and possibly even on into college, he needs to give this time to heal properly.

I don't know about supplements, other than milk. Maybe a calcium supp. He could still do some resistance work (not upper body) since that actually heats up the bone and makes it more permeable by calcium, supposedly increasing absorption by 300%.

Chrisatc · 03-05-2008, 10:19 PM

In all due respect, I am surprised the doc cleared him for jumping activities as well, the fear should have been falling though, not breaking on a clean landing (I am assuming)

bfoley · 03-06-2008, 03:34 PM

When I took my son to the ortho, I actually saw the physician's assistant, not the actual ortho. When he cleared my son, he said no contact, but he could practice only stick skills (passing, catching, etc.). I wish I would have told him about the long jump test, I'm kicking myself for forgetting that. When I go back for the re-check in 4 weeks, I am seeing the ortho, not the PA.

When my son gets cleared again, it will probably be at the end of April. Half the season will be over by then. I already told my wife that I think we shouldn't let him play the last half and should just let him heal.
Unfortunately, he's counting down until the end of April. With the disappointment he's already feeling, I don't want to disappoint him further by telling him he can't play, BUT I don't want him to play yet. It won't be pleasant in my house come May.

He plays tournament lacrosse in the summer, which starts at the
middle/end of June. That gives him about 3 1/2 -4 months to heal. I hope that is enough. In the meantime, I have him drinking more milk and riding my exercise bike daily for 20 - 30 minutes.

Brian

UConnJulie · 03-07-2008, 10:27 AM

A calcium with Vitamin D supplement would be a good addition.

CAchief · 03-07-2008, 08:19 PM

I broke my collarbone back in the summer of '05. (Details here: Broke my collar bone 2 hrs. ago.)

I don't know about your son, but I couldn't even think about going into the figure 8 harness, I had to just go w/ the sling, more support.

I asked the doctor about supplements and he advised me that one extra calcium pill could help, do not take more than that as it can lead to further complications. Hope this helps.

andrewjordan · 03-08-2008, 04:34 AM

I surprised to see this. Was he your family doctor if yes so i suggest for change him. your son is younger he can rehabilitate soon but keep him out to the games and running. One pill of vitamin and one glass of milk give him in morning and evening regularly. He will become perfect really soon.

bryanc · 03-10-2008, 06:34 AM

Your son is 14, not 64. If he's already getting adequate nutrition, things will be fine.

bfoley · 03-10-2008, 06:35 PM

CAchief;

I saw the picture of your x-ray. My son's fracture isn't complete, more of a bend with a crack at the top. He doesn't like tie harness, but feels that he just has to do it. How can an extra pill lead to further complications ?

Andrewjordan;

The doctor my son saw is a Sports Medicine Ortho. What were you suprised at ?

bryanc;

My main concern is that while my son eats pretty good for his age, he consumes almost no dairy. He doesn't really like milk or cheese. I figured that 1 or 2 calcium pills a day would be helpful.

BTW - this is the supplement I am having him take :

Supplement Facts
Serving Size 2
Servings Per Container 150

	Amount Per Serving	% Daily Value

Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol)	204 IU	51%

Calcium (As Calcium Citrate)	333 Mg	33%

Magnesium (As Oxide, Aspartate, Citrate)	189 Mg	47%

--Brian

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAchief

I broke my collarbone back in the summer of '05. (Details here: Broke my collar bone 2 hrs. ago.)

I don't know about your son, but I couldn't even think about going into the figure 8 harness, I had to just go w/ the sling, more support.

I asked the doctor about supplements and he advised me that one extra calcium pill could help, do not take more than that as it can lead to further complications. Hope this helps.

CAchief · 03-10-2008, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bfoley

CAchief;

I saw the picture of your x-ray. My son's fracture isn't complete, more of a bend with a crack at the top. He doesn't like tie harness, but feels that he just has to do it. How can an extra pill lead to further complications ?

Mine was not either, you'll notice the bone is still connected at the very top. Doc said that was good to deliver nutrients to the bone.

As far as the pill, it was something to do with the body not being able to consume that much calcium and can lead to...I believe stones. DOn't quote me on that though.

bryanc · 03-14-2008, 03:56 AM

What about alternate sources of calcium, other than dairy, or the more palatable dairies (yogurt, ice cream, chocolate milk, calcium-fortified orange juice)?

Your son is young. Their bones heal if they're in the same room.

bfoley · 03-18-2008, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryanc

What about alternate sources of calcium, other than dairy, or the more palatable dairies (yogurt, ice cream, chocolate milk, calcium-fortified orange juice)?

Your son is young. Their bones heal if they're in the same room.

Every night at dinner, he has a tall glass of chocolate milk. My wife started giving him calcium-fortified OJ at breakfast. Ice cream on the weekends. These, in addition to the calcium supplements, and I feel I've got most of the bases covered. I take him back to the ortho next week to be checked out (and I'm sure re-xrayed), so I'll let you know his progress.

Brian

bfoley · 04-27-2008, 09:04 AM

An update about my son. Two weeks ago, I took him to the ortho, had an x-ray and the ortho cleared him. I expressed my concerns about him re-breaking it again and the ortho said that the x-ray showed that the break has healed completely, and that he has as much of a chance of breaking it again as any other body part. I must have given him a skeptical look because he then said that if it were his son he would let him step on to the field that day.

I still held him out the previous 2 weeks. I spoke to the coach this past week, and let him know about my son's injuries, and how concerned my wife and I were. He said he would bring my son along slowly. My son's first practice was this past Friday. Some light throwing/passing. No contact. He was a little sore, but nothing more. My son is ready to get going, and it's hard for him not to want to go all out, but I have to keep telling him to go slowly and build up to it. Anyway, he won't be stepping on the field for a game for at least 2 more weeks, because he has to have a minimum of 12 practices before he can play. That will make it about 12 weeks since the break. That makes me feel a little more comfortable, although when he gets out there the first time, I will be nervous for him.

UConnJulie · 04-28-2008, 06:09 AM

Good news! Better to be conservative IMO ...