Regrettable Decision After a Clavicle Fracture
Hello everyone, I want to share my experience of breaking my clavicle yesterday. I’m a 25-year-old male, weighing about 57 kg and standing 1.78 meters tall. I don’t have any other significant medical details to mention, but I am taking Ibuprofen and Tradonal for pain relief. Last night, I made a poor decision while under the influence of those painkillers, which dulled my sense of discomfort. I opted for a barefoot walk that lasted around two hours. It wasn’t until I was approaching the end of my stroll that I began to grasp how unwise my choice had been. Walking without shoes placed a shock on my shoulder with every step I took, likely causing the two fractured sections of my clavicle to move slightly with each stride. In three days, I’ll undergo new X-rays and based on those results, a decision regarding the necessity of surgery will be made. However, the doctor indicated that surgery is likely due to my youth and active lifestyle. I’m anxious that I may have inadvertently exacerbated my injury. Reflecting on it now, it seems incredibly foolish to have undertaken such a strenuous walk so soon after the fracture. Although I am wearing a sling, I'm aware that this might not have been the best course of action. I feel optimistic that everything will turn out okay, but from here on out, I will prioritize rest and refrain from any strenuous activities. I would appreciate insights from anyone with medical expertise on my situation.
Answers (1)
6/16/2025, 9:30:52 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you are understandably concerned about your clavicle fracture and the potential impact of your recent decision to walk barefoot. It’s important to acknowledge your feelings and recognize that accidents can happen when pain relief medications dull your senses. Here’s some information and guidance to help you manage your recovery more effectively.
Main Points:
- Clavicle fractures typically heal well with appropriate care, but it's crucial to avoid activities that could worsen your injury.
- You are correct in prioritizing rest and refraining from strenuous activities while healing.
Explanation:
A clavicle fracture can lead to pain and instability in the shoulder area. The fact that you experienced a change in comfort after your walk indicates that excessive movement could potentially shift the fractured pieces, possibly complicating the healing process. It's common for doctors to recommend surgery for younger, active individuals like yourself to ensure proper healing and restore function.
Next Steps:
- Rest Your Shoulder: Continue to wear your sling as recommended, and avoid any unnecessary movements or activities that could stress the shoulder.
- Monitor Symptoms: Pay close attention to your pain levels and any changes. If you notice increased swelling, worsening pain, or numbness in your arm, take these seriously.
- Follow Medical Advice: Be sure to discuss your recent walking activity with your doctor during your follow-up appointment. Transparency will help them assess your situation accurately.
- Limit Physical Activity: Refrain from all strenuous exercises and activities until you have clarity from your X-ray results. Stick to gentle movements or stretching if permitted by your doctor.
- Pain Management: Continue taking your medications as prescribed, but be cautious about overdoing it. If you feel pain returning or changing, note this for your X-ray appointment.
It's good to see you're optimistic about your recovery. With the right care moving forward, you'll be on a path to healing. If you have more questions or need further support, feel free to reach out.
Related Questions
Experiencing Clear Fluid from Ear with No Discomfort: Should I Wait for My Appointment?
I am a healthy 57-year-old female, weighing 120 pounds and standing 5 feet 5 inches tall. My daily medications include 100 mg of Losartan for effectively managed high blood pressure, 200 mg of Lyrica taken twice daily for post-herpetic neuralgia, 100 mg of Synthroid following treatment for thyroid cancer, and a combination hormone replacement therapy patch. Additionally, I take Zyrtec and Flonase every day to combat allergies. Since October, I have been dealing with persistent tinnitus in my right ear, accompanied by some pressure and a muffled sensation. Recently, I've noticed that when I speak, it feels akin to the sensation I experience when my ears clear during a flight after chewing gum—my voice sounds amplified in my head. I've scheduled an appointment with a physician's assistant in an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) office for the end of March due to my worries about the tinnitus and any potential hearing impairment. Yesterday, I noticed that my ear emitted a clear fluid. Thankfully, there was no associated pain. The fluid was somewhat thicker than water, completely odorless—unlike the unpleasant discharge I recall from my daughter's ear infections—and there was no sign of blood. Could this indicate a perforated eardrum? I suspect this might be the case, but can this occur without an underlying infection? Should I seek attention sooner than my appointment in March? I would prefer to avoid urgent care during flu season; however, if this situation is serious, I am prepared to take precautions and visit.
Understanding the Increased Pain in My Foot While Reclining
At 30 years old, I am nearing the five-week mark since undergoing surgery on my metatarsals. I've encountered a troubling issue: I can’t seem to find comfort when lying down, whether it’s with my foot raised or lying flat. My pain level escalates to a severe 10 out of 10, unless my foot is making contact with the floor or I dangle my leg off the side of the bed so that my toes touch the ground. Is this situation typical for someone in my circumstances? Are there any suggestions that might assist me in getting a better night's sleep?
Assessing My Health Concerns: How Anxious Should I Be?
I’m a 32-year-old woman, weighing 124 pounds and standing at 5 feet 6 inches tall. For over a year, I have been experiencing bright red rectal bleeding. Initially, I attributed this issue to hemorrhoids that developed during my pregnancy two years ago. The bleeding occurs with most of my bowel movements, sometimes happens without one, and on a few occasions, has been enough to stain the toilet bowl significantly. The color of the blood is typically darker than what I observe during a hemorrhoid flare-up. There is a notable family history of bowel cancer on both sides; one family member was diagnosed at age 45, and another at 60. In the past six months, I have encountered several episodes of severe abdominal pain—3 to 4 instances—intense enough to consider a trip to the emergency room. However, the pain usually subsides within about an hour. It’s unusual for me to experience such acute pain, given my high tolerance for discomfort; for example, I once played rugby shortly after dislocating and fracturing my finger. Recently, I mustered the courage to consult with my doctor, who recommended a FIT test, which returned a positive result (30.1). Additionally, I underwent a complete blood test, and aside from having low ferritin levels (7 µg/L), all other results were normal. I have since been referred for a colonoscopy on a two-week waiting list to rule out any possible bowel cancer. Given these circumstances, how concerned should I be? Thank you for your input.
Persistent Pain in Right Shoulder and Arm After Lifting
Hello, everyone! I’m a 23-year-old male and have been engaged in weightlifting for several years now. Recently, I’ve been struggling with ongoing discomfort in my right shoulder and arm, which I haven’t been able to accurately identify. The pain manifests during particular movements, especially with lateral raises or when my arm is raised to shoulder level while rotating my wrist. Certain pressing and pulling activities can also provoke this discomfort. Rather than feeling sharp, it’s a deep, nagging sensation that sometimes seems localized in the front area of the shoulder or at the biceps tendon, and at other times it feels more like it’s situated between the shoulder and upper arm. Fortunately, there’s no numbness or tingling involved. This issue began while I was working out. I decided to take a break for around two months, but when I returned, the pain persisted. After consulting a physician, I was diagnosed with bicipital tendinitis. Since then, I’ve reduced my upper-body workouts, completely steering clear of shoulder exercises and heavy lifting, and have begun a gentle rehabilitation regimen focusing on external rotations, pendulum movements, and scapular exercises. Despite adhering to this routine for about a week, I haven’t experienced any noticeable improvement. Is it typical for this type of tendon injury to require an extended period for recovery? At what point should I consider diagnostic imaging, such as an ultrasound or MRI? Additionally, are there frequent rehabilitation errors that might impede the healing process? I appreciate your insights in advance!
INTENSE Spine Discomfort, Breathing Difficulties, Muscle Twitches, and Sweating
To elaborate on the situation mentioned in the title, I’ve been experiencing unusual muscle twitches and spasms for the past few days, along with some discomfort in my back. However, today, I felt an unexpected sharp pain shoot through my spine, which has left my legs feeling numb and made it impossible for me to sit up straight. Additionally, I’ve been dealing with cold sweats for the last hour and struggling to breathe properly. Perhaps I’m just overanalyzing things and it’s a common occurrence, but the intensity of the pain is overwhelming—it's truly unbearable. I’m shaking quite a bit, and unfortunately, my parents aren’t responding to my attempts to reach them for help. I have a history of a chronic heart condition and arthritis, yet I’ve never experienced pain this severe, especially in my spine. For context, I am nearly 15 years old and female. My current medications include pain relievers, anxiety medication, beta blockers, and some vitamins, though those specifics may not be particularly relevant. I don’t smoke; however, I have tried vaping a few times, which might not matter much, but I thought it was worth mentioning as it was requested.