I broke my collarbone 5.5 weeks ago. The Dr and I both had hoped I would be farther along than I am...the site shows some slight healing/bone regrowth.

I have been raw since 2000 and started 811 in 2007. I am 53 years old and consider myself to be very active. I broke my collarbone on a 100 mile ride at the 75 mile mark, up to that point my group had been averaging 19.1 mph. Two days before breaking my collarbone I did a 96 mile ride.

I have no other health issues although I generally only sleep 6 hours at time.

Any suggestions on how to speed the healing would be appreciated.

Sue

Sue,
I'd start by giving myself as much sleep as I desire, which could be 8, 10, or more hours per night. Bones heal at their most rapid pace when fasting, but you are already approaching 6 weeks so I wouldn't start fasting now.
I can tell you that it is normal to hope to be further along. Everyone thinks everything should heal faster than it really can, I'd say. If you were to ask me, I would suggest that 8 weeks is about right for such an injury, and 12 weeks would be a long time, but not amazingly so. By 12 weeks, in normal healing, you should be able to pretty much forget about this break.
Please keep us posted.

Hi,
I went to the Dr this past Monday which was 9 weeks since the injury. The progress is not good although there is bone formation, just not a lot. After my last appointment 4 weeks ago I got a bone stimulator and have been using it every day and some days twice a day. It doesn't seem to be helping yet and I am not sure what Natural Hygiene thinks about it. My next appointment is in 4 weeks which will then be 13 weeks.
I do try to sleep, I am usually in bed from 10 at night to 7 in the morning it just that I am only sleeping 6 hours a might, generally 3 hours sleep, wake up then go back to sleep for another 3 hours the rest of the time is laying there hoping to sleep.
The Dr has said that I can do stretching exercises for my arm. I have lost a lot of my range of motion having worn the sling for 8 weeks. He does not want me doing anything else. What's your thoughts on using a bike trainer or stationary bike or an elliptical machine? I guess I could agree with the Dr that running might not be the best thing since I still do have pain at times. Although I wouldn't mind riding my bike (and actually did a 40 mile tandem ride last weekend - I didn't tell the Dr, it was a beautiful day and there aren't many left if any here in Wisconsin). I more trouble with my knee than my shoulder on the ride.
I would really like to do something but if doing nothing is the fastest way to fix this then I'll do it.
I still have pain at times in my shoulder blade and down the bone of my arm. Mostly this happens when I am standing or sitting upright (using good posture, reclining is easier).
I am really hoping this fixes itself because I don't want surgery but I just don't know how long I can wait and be doing nothing....
Thanks for your help and input.
Sue