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- Talk
- 23/09/2021
- UK
Return to Competition Following Clavicle Fractures in Professional Road Cyclists
Description
In a recent presentation, Matthew Walmsley examined the return to competition after clavicle fractures in professional cyclists. The study aimed to address a common question asked by patients: "When can I get back on the bike?" Despite the lack of existing literature on this topic, Walmsley and his team reviewed data from over 1,000 professional cyclists, identifying 140 cases of primary clavicle fractures. The findings revealed that the mean return to competition time was approximately 60 days, with the most common cause of injury being crashes during races. Furthermore, cyclists experiencing associated injuries had a significantly longer recovery period of 75 days compared to 55 days for isolated fractures.
The study also noted that approximately 80% of the injured cyclists underwent surgical treatment, primarily open reduction internal fixation, with the mean time to surgery at 2.7 days. Interestingly, no significant difference was found in recovery times between those treated surgically and those managed conservatively.
For amateur cyclists, the study offers valuable data for recovery expectations, indicating that outdoor cycling activities could commence as early as 25.5 days post-injury. Return to competition times varied, especially for injuries incurred in the latter half of the cycling season, suggesting seasonal factors may influence recovery. Overall, the research provides a clearer picture of recovery timelines, useful for guiding both elite and recreational cyclists on their rehabilitation journeys.