MTB'ing : Neck - Collar Bone fractures
by Martin Krause (Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist)
On an MTB holiday (February 2024) to Maydena, Tasmania, my 18 year old son managed to fracture his collar bone. The irony being, that this happened on the access track, which was relatively flat. Recent track maintenance meant that a large paver was sitting vertical rather than horizontal resulting in him going over the handle bars.
Great surgical outcome - sling for 6 weeks and no upper body gym workout for 12 weeks. Unfortunately, the incidence of numbness in the shoulder is 7%. He is one of those 7%. Electrical stimulation has been introduced as well as some basic rotator cuff strengthening with low resistance TheraBand.
Some say the reason for not wearing neck protection is the increased risk of collar bone fracture. However, this is a common cycling injury, especially amongst road cyclists, who aren't wearing neck protection. My son and I are almost the only people at various bike parks we visit, who wear neck protection. We commenced wearing LEATT neck braces (from motor cross) after we knew two people who became quadriplegic after cycling accidents.
Note how well the brace on the right sits on the rider, whereas my son, seems to have outgrown his brace (left)
After experiencing this accident, undergoing surgery and hearing from doctors at Hobart private hospital, that at least 4 people have become quadriplegics from accidents at the Maydena bike park, I asked through a social media post for comments. An old school friend sent me the following picture of her son, who in October 2024, had a spinal injury and concussion, whilst MTB'ing near Wollongong, just prior to his 20th birthday.
We learn in Physiotherapy School that "C3,4 and 5 keep the diaphragm alive". The site of his fusion is C3/4. He's extremely lucky to be alive. He was riding by himself, recalls nothing about the accident, was found at home in bed, by his partner, who followed a long trail of blood, to her unconscious 'significant other'. He actually has no recollection of driving himself home!! As luck would have it, a visiting neurosurgical spinal specialist, from Germany, was visiting Wollongong hospital, and was able to make such a perfect repair, with no neurological deficits. Also, apart from post traumatic amnesia, in addition to the initial week in hospital where he still has little memory of, he's making a full cerebral recovery. Luckily, he was wearing a very good full face helmet.
This helmet, as well as an extraordinary amount of luck saved his life. However, I still feel that the LEATT neck brace must help certain types of 'long' necks, where the size of the helmet, has an impact on the loading of the neck.
Uploaded : 7 March 2024
