broken clavicle...surgery or not?

bendeac

I've just busted my clavicle and have to get fit in three months. It's a bad break and the medical advice i've had has been pretty ordinary. Do you have the names of the rugby shoulder specialists? I'm in sydney so they should be here in town.

mbishop38

I just broke my clavicle mountain biking two Sundays ago and my orthopaedist gave surgery with a plate as an option for me. Guess I am one of the 5% of the middle of the bone fractures that has all of the characteristics of a nonunion. I am scheduled for this Wednesday and I hate to be vain, but I am nervous about the scar. Can someone tell me what theres is like? Anyone have any pics? mbishop38@hotmail.com

Thanks in advance, I will let you know how it goes.

ahinalu

There is a scar, but it just adds character. Both of mine are about 5" long or so. I spend all day in the sun on a boat so they're prob a little more visible than if I didn't.
Surgery was ok, post op a little sucky, but after a day or two I'm usually able to go off pain meds (I don't like how they make me feel).

Good luck to ya, make sure the surgeon screws them down tight (one sticks up and has since surgery).

Aloha...

friedmikey

I went with surgery. I broke my right clavicle quite severely in a nasty MTB crash about four weeks ago. Two orthos looked at my x-rays and strongly recommended surgery based on the nature of my break. They said that they usually discourage surgery for "normal" breaks (middle of the clavicle). However, mine broke in what appeared to be 4-5 pieces out at the AC end and they agreed that due to the ligament structure and displacement at the end, non-union was likely.

The ortho had planned to use a plate and screws to put it back together in a rather standard procedure. What he found once I was on the operating table was more significant damage than the x-rays showed. The AC tip of the clavicle was shattered into about 30 pieces. "Sawdust" was how he described it. He could not plate it back together. Instead he performed a Mumford Procedure (a surgical remedy for AC arthritis). This meant removing the shattered end and cleaning up the rest. He reattached the CC ligament (I'm not clear on the status of my AC ligament) using heavy-duty sutures and a pair of drilled holes in the remaining bone. This moved my rehab schedule out further than anticipated, to allow the ligaments to heal. My clavicle is approximately 22mm shorter now.

I'm 2.5 weeks into my post-op recovery. Two more weeks in the sling before I can start PT (I hope!). Probably 2-3 months or more off the bike and 6-12 months for nearly complete recovery, my doc tells me. The pain was bad for the first 4-5 days, and then got to be negligable and I stopped the meds. The worst part was and still is sleeping. So hard to get comfortable! I'll definitely have a 5" scar. I've also lost some sensation on my skin on the distal side of the incision - I'm told that's normal. But I don't really care about the scar or sensation, as long as it gets me back to normal.

I'm hoping for a complete and uncomplicated recovery. I'm dying to get back on my road bike! Mountain bike... not so much

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underrock

" based on the nature of my break. They said that they usually discourage surgery for "normal" breaks (middle of the clavicle). "

Hi, I'm a new member of cycling forums and a new member of the "broken clavicle club". My break is not normal - I have 2.2 cm diff. between the two broken parts - as well as 6 broken ribs, a pneumothorax, and a scapula that was broken in two. Even developed pneumonia! This from a high-speed paceline where a big stick jumped out into my spokes (would you all PLEASE point out those suckers LOL!).

Anyway, apparently the combo of broken clavicle and scapula is known as a floating shoulder, and that seems to be a common cause of clavicle plating. I had to wait until my lung cleared up and waded through several bozo orthos until I got to Riley Williams at the New York Hospital of Special Surgery. He is great! So, surgery set for next week (Thursday Sept.29). I have to convince my insurance company to cover this operation with "in-network" benefits evven though he is out of network. I hope it will work as it means the difference of several thousand dollars. To even further comlicate matters, I have a torn labrum from a previous ski injury that he can repair at the same time. SO - if anyone has any more web sites (like the ones listed - thanks!) that will help me convinve the cold-hearted insurance execs, please pass it on. Besides the money, I have the issue of my three young children (twin 4 year olds and a six year old who expect Mommy to take them skiing/riding soon) and I am convinced that surgery is the only way to get back in the saddle soon. BTW, my left should is already much lower that the right - with both bones broken, there is nothing to provide support.
Thanks! Great forum!

ahinalu

Wow, it's funny (not haha) how the xrays don't show much
of a good picture. When I went in I had torn bone away from
my clavicle that was connected to my deltoid.
The numbness you are experiencing is normal. Both my sholders
are still a little numb. The left which I did 1+yr ago is getting
much better, the right (easter 2005) still pretty loopy.

Good luck w/ PT and your upcoming surgery.

Aloha Chris

blueangel

I just wanted to thank everyone for all the great information you've shared. I broke my left clavicle four months ago and am about to have surgery on Wednesday since it's a non-union. It looks like I'm going to get an Acumed plate, so I really appreciated learning what others have experienced. I also have a few questions I'm hoping some of you may be able to answer.

Did anyone have a hip bone graft?
If so, how big is the incision?
How long did you feel pain in the area?
What things should I expect right after the surgery?
When it gets cold/hot, does your shoulder area with the plate feel more sensitive?

If there any females out there with similar experiences, I'd also like to know how you deal with the whole bra issue. I'm sorry if I'm getting too personal - I'm just really curious.

Thanks!

ahinalu

I don't wear a bra, but it can be irritating if you've got a heavy pack on. If
you hike a lot it will desensitize. Scar on collar bone is big, but it'll just let
the guys know they can't push you around.

The pain in the arm only lasted 2 days for the left (it was the worst) and the right was 4 days before I stopped meds (i REALLYdon't like pain pills).
Not hot cold issues, but I do live in Hawaii.

I think your surgeon is the most important part of the equation.

Good luck!

underrock

I bought a few bras that close in the front and that seems to work - or I simply go without .

ShelleyKraus

Hello Everyone,
I have been searching the internet for days, trying to find somewhere to confirm a treatment my Ortho Doc wants to do to me. I found no site until now, this forum. Looks as though some of you have had a clavicle surgery with pins/ plates and hip bone graft. This is what I am facing. I'm truly terrified. I broke my collor bone 4 years ago and it has not mended.The pain of it was unbearable. The two bones are still separated with a space in between. He wants to shave off the bone calcification (Bump), put the piece of bone in from my hip and then plate it. What I've read and seen, it looks like the scar is horrible and the sugery (especially to the hip) to very painful. I was tramatized when it broke the first time. I very concerned about healing, pain and scars now. Is it worth it? I'm a 52 female (Very girly) and very sad about how I will end up. My surgery is scehduled for Nov 14. (my birthday, ...what a present!) I would appreciate anyone's comments. I trying to make the right decision for the rest of my life. My husband would like to see me have the surgery. He has seen how uncomfortable I've been these las 4 year. The pain this last few years has been bad at times, but not all the time...is it worth it....? I don't know. I pray for the right decision. Anyone out there...? Please be honest with me. I need peace about this from real people, not a doctor who dilutes the truth.. Thank you all so much.

ricain

Shelley. I had my surgery one week ago. Plate on the collar bone (with screws) and bone graft from my hip. I was not happy about having a scar or submitting to my first surgery, but so far it's been great. After 2 days, I could walk with little to no pain. After one week I am not even using pain meds. Yes I will have two scars, but soon enough I will be back in great shape and scars are a small price to pay, really. Be sure you doc has done these surgeries before, the more the better. And be aware that some potential effects are continued soreness and even some numbness if any nerves are accidentally cute during surgery. I have a numb patch on my shoulder. The math equation already tilts in favor of surgery: 4+ years of pain > 6-8 weeks of healing.

Good luck

ptlwp

I hear tell so don't swear on it; that the clavicle nearly never mends itself properly...

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"All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing." Sir Edmund Burke

friedmikey

Shelley,

It sounds like you have a tough call to make. It’s good that you’re thinking it through. Surgeries are always risky, but personally, if I had been dealing with pain for as long as you have, I’d take the chance and I’d endure the extra pain short-term in exchange for no pain long-term. You'll get through it.

It’s been nearly two months since my surgery now. I’ll say that it certainly hasn’t been fun, but that’s just as much out of frustration (of not being able to do much) as it is due to discomfort. I’m working hard on my rehabilitation now, which can also be a physical and mental challenge, but it’s gratifying to see my mobility and function improving everyday. My scar, though about 5” long, is not particularly big and ugly. I’m guessing your requirement of a plate rules out arthroscopic surgery? Arthroscopic surgery only requires one or more smaller cuts, versus the one large incision I have. Anyway, if I can offer one piece of advice to you, if you go for the surgery… get used to sleeping on your back now!

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ShelleyKraus

[QUOTE=blueangel]I just wanted to thank everyone for all the great information you've shared. I broke my left clavicle four months ago and am about to have surgery on Wednesday since it's a non-union. ....

Thanks for your comments. It helps to know someone understands. Now...
Hello BlueAngel,
I hope you are doing fine now that it is the end of Oct. If you able, a quick update on your condition would greatly be appreciated.

I'm starting to realize I have no choice but to have my surgery but I'm very upset by it. A good word would help. I'm starting to get more info on what I can take and do to help my skin heal and my scar be as minimal as possible. I called a plastic surgeon and she said she would take a look at it after 6-9 months to see how it's healing and if I'll need help with scar lasar remmoval. (it doesn't really remove it all...)
I'm trying... Hope your doing well. I'm very interested in what everyone's scar looks like after .. say one year or so. If it will help others I would be happy to keep you informed of my surgery and recovery.
Take care everyone.
"Newbie-to-the-broken-clavical-club"
Shelley