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My 16yr old son has AS and today has broken his collarbone playing football...What should be done?

By May 15, 2010 - 9:25pm
 
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I'm not a physician, but worked in healthcare for years, including pharmaceuticals. In addition, I'm a chronic pain patient. My advice, written by his physician of course, would be anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS) and an acid reducer to protect his stomach (such as prescription Prevacid or OTC Pepcid AC). A heating pad applied to the collarbone area may also provide him some relief, as it would relax the muscles surrounding the injury. If he was prescribed pain medication, such as hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab, Lorcet), do not give him Tylenol at the same time, as hydrocodone always has either Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Ibuprofen in it, but typically Tylenol. I hope this helps and that he recovers soon.

May 17, 2010 - 7:28am

I am so sorry your son was hurt! I assume you took him immediately to the doctor/hospital?

AS, or Ankylosing Spondylitis, is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes arthritis of the spine and hips, and can range in severity from mild to severe. We are not able to tell you what your son needs done, as there are too many unknown factors: severity of his AS, type of broken bone (exact location, severity of break), etc. Only his doctor will be able to diagnose and recommend treatment, based on his presenting conditions.

We can help you research your son's various options, based on his doctor's recommendations. Did you have specific questions?

You can read more about AS at: EmpowHER: AS.

May 16, 2010 - 6:58am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Alison Beaver)

I'm so sorry to hear that! I recently fractured my spine in a horseback riding accident and I also have AS. The trauma surgeon said that it would be hard to say how it will affect the AS because everybodies AS is different. One thing that I did do and seemed to help was getting into physical therapy in a warn water pool. Additionally I would chew a couple of TUMS every day to increase my calcium intake. It's important after a break to eat a high protein high calcium diet to heal quickly. It may take longer to heal because of the AS or may heal faster it's a surprise. I also with drs ok stopped taking the prednisone I was on since it leeches calcium from your bones and makes your bones more succeptable to fractures.

The best advice I can give is for him to listen to his own body and it's limitations and keep in contact with the rheumotologist. I wish him a speedy recovery!

FYI I am not a medical dr, I have been diagnosed with AS for 6yrs (I am 26yrs old).

May 17, 2010 - 1:33am
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