I am no Doc. I had four breaks in mine. Had surgery. In addition to the plate he also wrapped the smaller two fragments in stiches around the bone. I'd say get a second opinion. My opinion, and again I'm not a Doc, a break like that is unlikely to heal all by itself.
broken clavicle...surgery or not?
- Thread starter James Thomas
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I had clavicle fractured in pieces that looked very similar to yours. Surgery was not done, and mine healed fine and functions fine, with no pain and no limitations on range of motion. Here's the big point, though: my clavicle injury was mine, and its healing was a function of my health and medical history. Yours is very unlikely to the exact same health and medical history constraints. Given that and given that taking advice online from complete strangers about whether you should seek surgery or not is not wise, the best suggestion would be to address your questions to a second orthopod. Get a second opinion. It's many orders of magnitude much more reliable than internet medical advice. If you want to get the best advice possible see a shoulder specialist or similar specialist. Many communities (at least mid-sized cities or even slightly less than mid-sized cities) have such specialists and quite often have an orthopedic clinic in which orthopods of many different specialties work.Originally Posted by yornxt .
Hi guys, this is my first post here after finding this place looking for info on this topic.
I was riding to work the other day and wiped out big landed hard on my left shoulder and fter an ambulance ride xrays etc i found out i broke my collar bone, it looks pretty gross from ther outside being able to see how badly alligned it is. Now today I went to the doctor to find out whats gonna happen and i went in he came in looked at the x ray now apparently i broke it in at least 4 maybe 5 places, now the doctor was not in the room 5 minutes total and he just told me to come back in 3-4 weeks to take some more x rays and such, after looking and reading it kind of concerns me with what i've seen online and such and i'm just wondering if anyone has any has been through a break wiith multiple spots like this and whether surgery was a better option or even if i should consider a second opinion?(they have me in a figre 8 and an arm sling) thiis is the xray here:
thanks all
I understand your concerns. After the accident that caused my clavicle to become a piecewise function, 3 or 4 specialist refused to see me after they conferred with my original arthropod and saw the x-rays. Things were, uhm, ugly in my thorax (The orthopod and the ER doc in the hospital to which I was taken stopped counting fractures in my thorax at 26. In the ER doc's words, "It was just getting silly.").
My requirements for a doctor are that they actually listen to me, that they ask what I'm feeling and what I'm worried about (as well as the usual medical hx, accident hx, complications, and etc), that they discuss all the possible options, and that they factor my preferences and wishes into their formulation of a treatment plan. If they fail at any of that, I go to another doc. Moreover, if my doc isn't willing to discuss my case (if it's complicated or he's unsure) with other docs, I find another doc. It's well worth the expense of seeing another doc for another opinion is well worth it especially when your future function and health depend on how well a given injury will heal. You also could be well served to ask the doctor when you can start physical therapy. My doctor allowed me to start physical therapy 4 weeks after the accident, and initially (for about 4 weeks) the PT was passive, meaning that the therapist moved the affected arm.
Demand that your doctors listen to you. In my case, I was anxious to get back to motorcycle racing as fast as possible and made sure that the doctors knew this straight off. I found they all respected that desire. Importantly, I made sure through my words, tone, and actions that they knew I would comply with their best suggestions, even if that meant a longer recovery than I hoped for.
The healed appearance of my clavicle was not a concern to me, but then I dig scars and lumps on bones from healed fractures. To me they're memories that never fad. They're the best tattoos ever. I'm weird that way. It is perfectly natural to be concerned about the appearance of an injury after healing, so as I've said a few times now, make sure your doctor understands that concern.
Bones are amazing in how much they can heal. My injuries and fractures were such that might right shoulder (the side the fx'd clavicle was/is on) is now 2cm closer to my spine. I'm amazed that everything healed so well. I don't mean amazed in a "I believe that healed" way but rather in a "Man, the human body is amazing and has potential much greater than the credit we give it."
BTW, my clavicle fractures were managed with a simple sling. For the record and for bragging rights (I apologize for this, but I dig sharing injury war stories, both in telling them and hearing them from others), the injuries from that accident included the multiple clavicle fractures, 3 ribs (1,2, and 4) broken in two places each, a cervical fx (C5), an fx'd scapula (same side) which was in 16 largish pieces and a bunch of smaller pieces, the aforementioned clavicle fx, and partial paralysis of my right shoulder which lasted for several months. No surgery was done (doctors would not do any surgery on the scapula for fear of making the paralysis permanent. I was bit depressed because of that because surgery leaves cool scars, and general anesthesia is awesome. That one large piece of my scapula caused the skin protrude by over an inch because the paralysis kept my musculature from holding that piece in place.
If you'd like to give more detail or discuss this further, I'd be happy to via PM or via email. No matter, please keep us all apprised of your treatment and healing progress. Most importantly, good luck. We all hope you heal quickly, are back on the bike soon, and retain your normal function.
Get surgury!! I broke my clavical bone 4 years ago but didnt know, I went to the doctors because I was having terrible back pain and my doctors (3 specailists) said it was scoliosus so I went 4 years believing it was something I couldnt fix and being in pain. So yes it can mess up your back and believe me you dont want to go through what I did. Go see your doctor and ask them because depepnding on the fracture or breakage spot it can most deffenetly affect other things to happen.
Here are some more lessons learned as I progress in my recovery. As I mentioned, I had a break in four places with a plate and seven screws with two bone fragments wrapped in stitches.
I posted earlier about the first several weeks post surgery. This is from that period on:
- I was in great shape prior to my crash so I figured once I was out of the sling I would be back to normal in no time. Wrong. My shoulder was immobilized (sling) for seven weeks. The shoulder is a complex, versatile joint. It was very stiff and only gradually begins to loosen. At three weeks post sling, I have prob 80% range of motion and my arm goes up 170 degrees but it still is stiff.
- Three weeks into PT, I still get pain in my upper arm and pect muscles but they are not problematic.
- I sleep on my side and by 3:00 a.m. the pain in my upper arm, would hurt. PT therapist says that's likely muscles and nerves. Last night, eight weeks out of surgery, was the first night of no pain.
- All that notwithstanding, I see improvement in strength and range of motion daily. Not big improvements but still it's clear it's improving all the time.
- I realized not only did my arm and shoulder atrophy but my whole back on the upper side of the injury.
- I've been ultra careful not to exceed Dr. orders in what I can and can't do, but I've never had pain at the surgery location/in the broken bone area..
- All my pain, and its been a 1 or 2 on scale of 10, has been around pect muscles, upper bicep area. PT therapist says that's because above the pect muscles is where three different sets of muscles connect to bone.
- I was optimistic about being back to normal 3 months post surgery. That's not very long but time passes so much quicker in looking back than in moving forward day to day. Sigh. Still time clearly passes and mounts quicker the further from the surgery you get.
I posted earlier about the first several weeks post surgery. This is from that period on:
- I was in great shape prior to my crash so I figured once I was out of the sling I would be back to normal in no time. Wrong. My shoulder was immobilized (sling) for seven weeks. The shoulder is a complex, versatile joint. It was very stiff and only gradually begins to loosen. At three weeks post sling, I have prob 80% range of motion and my arm goes up 170 degrees but it still is stiff.
- Three weeks into PT, I still get pain in my upper arm and pect muscles but they are not problematic.
- I sleep on my side and by 3:00 a.m. the pain in my upper arm, would hurt. PT therapist says that's likely muscles and nerves. Last night, eight weeks out of surgery, was the first night of no pain.
- All that notwithstanding, I see improvement in strength and range of motion daily. Not big improvements but still it's clear it's improving all the time.
- I realized not only did my arm and shoulder atrophy but my whole back on the upper side of the injury.
- I've been ultra careful not to exceed Dr. orders in what I can and can't do, but I've never had pain at the surgery location/in the broken bone area..
- All my pain, and its been a 1 or 2 on scale of 10, has been around pect muscles, upper bicep area. PT therapist says that's because above the pect muscles is where three different sets of muscles connect to bone.
- I was optimistic about being back to normal 3 months post surgery. That's not very long but time passes so much quicker in looking back than in moving forward day to day. Sigh. Still time clearly passes and mounts quicker the further from the surgery you get.
Broke my collar bone twice such is life,last time looked like a jigsaw puzzel when i was shown the x-ray.It has seemd to knit back together really well but i think my swimming days are over as trying to make a full arc with this arm now the shoulder seems to click,so much for the NHS here in england.never once was i offered an operation,a sling and seven weeks i was back out on the bike./img/vbsmilies/smilies/rolleyes.gif
I have broke both clavicles.Each time doctors advice was let nature take its course.As a result after 1 year surgery with bone grafts were required because the bone ends go dry. A famous moto GP rider broke tib/fib like nearly severed the limb,had surgery within the hour and was back racing in 6 weeks. Enough said.If you fix displaced fractures while the bone ends are still juicy they heal quick.Also living with a displaced fracture can do harm to nerves and blood vessels as i had not good. Fix it 100%
I have broke both clavicles.Each time doctors advice was let nature take its course.As a result after 1 year surgery with bone grafts were required because the bone ends go dry. A famous moto GP rider broke tib/fib like nearly severed the limb,had surgery within the hour and was back racing in 6 weeks. Enough said.If you fix displaced fractures while the bone ends are still juicy they heal quick.Also living with a displaced fracture can do harm to nerves and blood vessels as i had not good. Fix it 100%
Well, here I am one week short of 3 months post surgery. Here are my newest observations:
- The Doc says from xrays that the bone is 90% healed. He can't see the fractures on the xray of the two small bits of bone so he's very pleased.
- After about a month of physical therapy, much but not all range of motion has returned. Strength is less than range of motion but I see incremental improvements almost every day in both.
- I still have periodic stiffness in my shoulder, particularly after not moving it for a period of time but as soon as I stretch it the stiffness goes away. I'm still surprised at how the shoulder deteriorates and atrophied after 7 weeks in the sling. Recovery is incremental with no big leaps of improvement.
- Sleep is much better but not fully back to normal. I can't yet sleep on my left side.
- Next week I'm cleared to return to riding motorcycles. My accident was on the bike but I usually don't bike in the winter, even though I'm in SoCal.
- The plate is slightly noticeable and I am only aware of it occasionally with slight discomfort. No problem at all.
- Numbness has improved a little bit.
- The Doc says from xrays that the bone is 90% healed. He can't see the fractures on the xray of the two small bits of bone so he's very pleased.
- After about a month of physical therapy, much but not all range of motion has returned. Strength is less than range of motion but I see incremental improvements almost every day in both.
- I still have periodic stiffness in my shoulder, particularly after not moving it for a period of time but as soon as I stretch it the stiffness goes away. I'm still surprised at how the shoulder deteriorates and atrophied after 7 weeks in the sling. Recovery is incremental with no big leaps of improvement.
- Sleep is much better but not fully back to normal. I can't yet sleep on my left side.
- Next week I'm cleared to return to riding motorcycles. My accident was on the bike but I usually don't bike in the winter, even though I'm in SoCal.
- The plate is slightly noticeable and I am only aware of it occasionally with slight discomfort. No problem at all.
- Numbness has improved a little bit.
Thank you so much for your story, I am one week into my broken collarbone. I was supossed to have surgery today to fix the problem but backed out. I am extreamly scared about the procedure and feeling sick over the whole deal. After reading your story I may have to reconsider, I am a very active young person who is not wanting to go through surgery. Your story is inspiring to say the least. Thank you.
ime now nearly twelve weeks after breaking mine and going out on my bike tomorrow for the first time since yes!!!! still not fully mended went back three weeks ago and it was about 50% joining back together so its been a long one for me!!back in 8 weeks for another xray..so after having a plate in the opposite side last year and back riding after 4 weeks it all depends on the type of break, age health status etc and how quick you want to be up and running if you want a plate or not......thanks steve
What are you afraid of re: the surgery? As I look back on mine now, over three months ago, I'm glad I did it.
Almost three months and one week post surgery and here's my observations:
- I do see leaps in recovery of function with my shoulder (keep in mind I'm 58). Still not one hundred percent but recovery has been progressive and a lot of the stiffness is gone. Still not full range but about 90-95% and I expect the rest will come in the coming weeks. I work the PT exercises or yoga poses almost every day.
- I now sleep on my left side for short periods of time. The back muscles haven't fully come back yet.
- I go long periods of time feeling normal now.
- Once every 4 days or so I feel the plate under the skin- like a little itch. Hardly noticeable. Numbness is leaving only a little bit. It's still strange to itch there but not really an issue.
- Doing progressively more poses in yoga and fully back to hiking and riding (motorcycles).
- Surgery seems like a long long time ago.
- I do see leaps in recovery of function with my shoulder (keep in mind I'm 58). Still not one hundred percent but recovery has been progressive and a lot of the stiffness is gone. Still not full range but about 90-95% and I expect the rest will come in the coming weeks. I work the PT exercises or yoga poses almost every day.
- I now sleep on my left side for short periods of time. The back muscles haven't fully come back yet.
- I go long periods of time feeling normal now.
- Once every 4 days or so I feel the plate under the skin- like a little itch. Hardly noticeable. Numbness is leaving only a little bit. It's still strange to itch there but not really an issue.
- Doing progressively more poses in yoga and fully back to hiking and riding (motorcycles).
- Surgery seems like a long long time ago.
It's natural to be afraid of some things unfamiliar, particularly surgery, and in this case, orthopedic surgery. Don't let your fear, though, prevent you from doing what the doctors suggest. First, for you the surgery will be easy since you'll likely be asleep. Afterwards the can be pain, but the medicines for pain control are very advanced these days. What you pain you do have is dependent on how sensitive you are to pain, what has to be done in surgery, and in part, what your state of mind and/or mood is after surgery (days/weeks, not the few hours so much). What's important is to weigh the relatively short term discomfort/pain after surgery against the long term potential for pain, decrease in range of motion of your shoulder, and potential loss of some function in that shoulder. From my experience with other fractures, fractures that don't get the correct treatment or that heal unfavorably can be much more uncomfortable than life after surgery. Likewise, such things can be more difficult to correct down the road.
What's important is to discuss your fears with your doctor. It's entirely possible he may able to offer treatment modalities (both surgical and post-surgical) that minimize your discomfort and give you relief from worry.
Please keep in mind that all of the stories you've read in this thread are those of individuals. Likewise, how some feels after surgery and whether or not surgery is necessary is dependent on the nature of their fracture(s) and other injuries, as well as complicating physical conditions. The best you can do is follow your doctor's advice or if need be to get a second opinion or even a third opinion. No matter the case, always voice what you are thinking and what your concerns are to your doctor. If he's/she's a good doc, he/she will listen.
I've been under the knife 17 times, 15 for orthopedic fixes or remodeling. None of the surgeries was like the others in terms of discomfort/pain afterward. Each was different. In no case was it horrific afterward for me. Like many others here, I've broken my collarbone (4 pieces), and the pieces were severely displaced. My doctor was unable to surgically repair it because of complicating fractures and injuries that happened in the same accident. My collarbone healed but did so sub-optimally. The collarbone fractures coupled with other fractures resulted in one should being 2cm closer to my spine now and a slight decrease in range of motion.
Hopefully, you'll address your concerns to your doctor. Good luck.
I broke my collar bone in 2006. I did not have surgery and regretted it. The collar bone did not heal correctly and I ended up with a separated a/c joint in my shoulder. Subsequently I went back for surgery which required the placement of a hook and plate to pull the shoulder in and 6 months later required the removal of the same. I wish I had gone in for surgery immediately. I think the trend now is to go for surgery if you look at the professional bikers and football players most have surgery as a matter of course.
Professional athletes get the surgery so that they can get back in the game asap. In the case of pro cyclists, that can be a matter of a couple of weeks. Professionals get all sorts of things done that wouldn't necessarily be advisable for others. Cadel Evans rode the last 10 or so stages of the Tour de France in 2010 with a broken elbow, something that doctors would not have recommended to pretty much anyone. Because the pros do it is not reason for others to do something.
Hello All,
I hope I am not reviving a dead thread but this thread was an important role in my decision as to have surgery or not so I was going to put my input on this...
Dec 30th I broke my left clavicle in 4 places. It was in a Z pattern. I went to the hospital the surgeon gave me a figure 8 brace and said I would be fine.
While I am no Dr. what I saw looked very hard to heal on its own My bones were badly misplaced.
I sent my X-ray to 2 different surgeons both highly suggesting surgery.
So I went and saw an orthopedic surgeon he said that the z fractures are hard to heal and hardly heal right. If I let it heal naturally I was likely to lose 2 1/2 of my shoulder. Not sure as to what my mobility was. He sent me to his friends office to have another look..He highly suggested surgery and had me in on an appointment exactly 6 days away..
I was both nervous and excited.. I went in for surgery and I freaked I was so scared..So to those that are worried I was to..Just ask for the happy drugs....They gave me two hits and I was laughing like a school girl and I did not care in fact I blacked out before they moved my bed..
I came to laughing and everything anyone was saying..it slowly wared off and the pain hit and it hurt like a son of a b@#ch they gave me a pain reliever to which I had an allergic reaction too I saw starts started sweating it was crazy I stayed an extra hour to let it wear off..They sent me on my way home...
Sleep sucked I woke up all night long popping hydrocodone the pain was horrible I could barely get out of bed..It seemed to get worse the following day I was totally regretting surgery my arm felt like a heavy rock that just sat and throbbed..I popped pills all day long and into the night I slept off and on again... I woke up late that morning and Have not had a pill since... I started going for very short walks as I could only stand for so long before it was hurting...But every day I keep getting more and more movement...I had surgery on the 11th it has been 9 days and I am now forgetting my arm is still hurt when i use it to much or in other ways..It gets sore but thats about it....
I keep using it every day and pushing myself more and more in physical therapy..
So if you are broken right now it will get better just keep moving forward it feels like it has all blown by and has forced me to have down time and think about myself and my life and watch a **** ton of movies and develope a seriouse addiction for LOST..
So thats how my story has worked out it wont be the same for everyone but If I can help one person in there decison or calm them down then I feel like I have done my job...
Thank you guys for all the information before!!
I hope I am not reviving a dead thread but this thread was an important role in my decision as to have surgery or not so I was going to put my input on this...
Dec 30th I broke my left clavicle in 4 places. It was in a Z pattern. I went to the hospital the surgeon gave me a figure 8 brace and said I would be fine.
While I am no Dr. what I saw looked very hard to heal on its own My bones were badly misplaced.
I sent my X-ray to 2 different surgeons both highly suggesting surgery.
So I went and saw an orthopedic surgeon he said that the z fractures are hard to heal and hardly heal right. If I let it heal naturally I was likely to lose 2 1/2 of my shoulder. Not sure as to what my mobility was. He sent me to his friends office to have another look..He highly suggested surgery and had me in on an appointment exactly 6 days away..
I was both nervous and excited.. I went in for surgery and I freaked I was so scared..So to those that are worried I was to..Just ask for the happy drugs....They gave me two hits and I was laughing like a school girl and I did not care in fact I blacked out before they moved my bed..
I came to laughing and everything anyone was saying..it slowly wared off and the pain hit and it hurt like a son of a b@#ch they gave me a pain reliever to which I had an allergic reaction too I saw starts started sweating it was crazy I stayed an extra hour to let it wear off..They sent me on my way home...
Sleep sucked I woke up all night long popping hydrocodone the pain was horrible I could barely get out of bed..It seemed to get worse the following day I was totally regretting surgery my arm felt like a heavy rock that just sat and throbbed..I popped pills all day long and into the night I slept off and on again... I woke up late that morning and Have not had a pill since... I started going for very short walks as I could only stand for so long before it was hurting...But every day I keep getting more and more movement...I had surgery on the 11th it has been 9 days and I am now forgetting my arm is still hurt when i use it to much or in other ways..It gets sore but thats about it....
I keep using it every day and pushing myself more and more in physical therapy..
So if you are broken right now it will get better just keep moving forward it feels like it has all blown by and has forced me to have down time and think about myself and my life and watch a **** ton of movies and develope a seriouse addiction for LOST..
So thats how my story has worked out it wont be the same for everyone but If I can help one person in there decison or calm them down then I feel like I have done my job...
Thank you guys for all the information before!!
thanks tdonned,,heres my xray on the day of accident,,btw for those choose surgery,how many days before stopping taking pain meds.?
Originally Posted by tdonne2 .
Ed,
Good luck in your recovery. Remember to listen to the Dr. and not overdue anything. 6 weeks of inactivity is a drop in the bucket compared to the rest of your life. Learn to sleep on your back. Post up some xrays if you're able to.
I stopped taking pain meds 2 days after my first surgery, but it took a little longer after my 2nd surgery due to the illiac crest autograft. The pain felt in your hip after a graft has definitely not been exaggerated by anyone in this thread...it sucks. I get all stopped up when I take pain meds for too long, so I normally only take them for a few days. I would start by weening off them during the day, and just taking them before bed so that you can fall asleep.
Here is my clavicle 5 months post-op 2nd surgery for others to reference:
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