How to avoid cycling's most common injury before it sidelines you

In the UK, the total number of miles cycled per year has increased from 3 bil lion to 5 billion post-Covid.

As cycling continues to increase in pop ularity, unfortunately, so does the number of cycling related accidents. A broken collarbone or clavicle is one of the most common injuries for a cyclist. Sadly, most professional cyclists will break their collarbone at some point in their career and it is often regarded as a ‘rite of passage’.

A broken collarbone is usually the result of the way that a rider falls, as the majority of people tend to extend their arm/s to break a fall. The force travels through the arm and up to the shoulder. The collarbone is usually the weakest link in the chain and tends to break first.

Our shoulder team recommends the following steps to minimise the risk of injury:

● Try not to fall – this is often easier said than done as cyclists can take risks especially with speed. Keep in mind that this is more likely to happen on a descent because you will be moving faster and you are tilted forward.

● Be aware of your surroundings –look out for rocks and tree stumps, especially when going off-road/track as these are the obstacles that often cause a sudden stop.

● Make sure that your pedals are level –distribute your weight evenly between the left and right pedal. If you are unbalanced while riding, you will be more likely to go over the handlebars.

● Exercise caution when riding on wet surfaces – as this can make turns particularly treacherous.

If you are unfortunate enough to suffer from a fall or collision, and feel that something might be wrong with your collarbone, look out for these signs which might indicate a fracture:

● Pain that increases with shoulder movement

● Swelling

● Tenderness and bruising

● A bulge on or near your shoulder

● Stiffness or inability to move your shoulder.

If you do suspect you have a broken collarbone, you should see a doctor or specialist straight away as early diagnosis and treatment are key.