Dylan McCaffrey Collarbone

Submitted by Bluenin on November 9th, 2018 at 6:04 PM

After searching news articles and other message boards, I haven’t seen anything on the severity of the break of Dylan’s collarbone?  Just wondering if anyone had any insight on if it was just a minor fracture (4-6 weeks) or something that would require surgery?

cletus318

November 9th, 2018 at 7:18 PM ^

As others have stated, the healing process itself is six weeks or so. That being said, when I broke my collarbone in high school, even though I healed up just fine in six weeks, I had lingering soreness for months. I'd imagine in this case that even though Dylan could potentially return for bowl season, there's also no real reason to rush him back.

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RoseInBlue

November 9th, 2018 at 7:25 PM ^

Yes, Jim Harbaugh sat down with each of us and provided an in-depth look into Dylan's injury and the medical treatment involved.  Then, he cooked us chicken and handed us a depth chart.

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YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

November 9th, 2018 at 7:29 PM ^

I just have flashbacks to Wilton’s hitched throwing motion that likely resulted from his severe break in HS. 

Here’s to a full and mighty recovery in Dylan’s right arm!

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The Fan in Fargo

November 9th, 2018 at 9:06 PM ^

All I have to say about the situation is he better start drinking a ton of whole milk or take some calcium pills/supplements. Or something, I’m not a doctor or nutritionist but if you break bones that easy, you better toughen up that skeleton somehow. Going to need that kid in the next couple of years. Somebody over there get in his ear and and talk some sense into him if he isn’t drinking milk. Hell, at least drink chocolate milk. Chocolate milk is amazing. Good for the soul too.

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jbuch002

November 10th, 2018 at 10:55 AM ^

Sounds about right.

80% of clavicular fractures occur in the mid-1/3 portion. They can be displaced (bone segments are separated) or greenstick (not separated).

>2cm displacement or shortening of the fractured bone segments are usually, but not always, surgically repaired.

Any neurologic deficit is an absolute indication for surgical repair.

If the fracture segments are greenstick or can be reduced, placed in proximity to each other then tightly slinged to insure they stay that way, surgery can be avoided.

That would be best case for McCaffrey and one team orthos would probably seek to obtain. Surgery is usually straight forward with plates and screws. 30% of patients request or need removal of the plates - one reason you might not want to undertake surgical correction. 

Assuming best case (no surgery), fracture will heal in 6-8w. Typical outcomes include reduced strength and endurance in the affected shoulder. This can be restored with appropriate therapy that begins after the fracture has healed - probably another 8w of that to restore to pre injury strength.

That's a 4 month period so, yeah, out until spring ball.

NB: Docs will monitor fracture healing over time. An indication of non-union (callous does not form, healing with bone segments separated by >2cm) will dictate surgical intervention. 

 

 

 

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