broken clavicle...surgery or not?

[67Rally]

Originally Posted by willy81 .

67 rally,

your injury seems to be a little more serious than a usual collar bone fracture.
Your fracture is a little closer to the acromion and this is the reason the coracoclavicular ligament was also injured.

I would not worry about your collar bone fracture because the bone is fixed and it will be fine in 6-10 weeks.
What did your Doctor say about the Coracoclavicular ligament rapture?
How long it will take?
As far as I know it is the Acromioclavicular ligament which is more important but in your case it seems to be fine?

Yep...the injury turned out to be quite unusual with the shattered end and the grade III ruptures. My AC joint suffered only minor bruising (which is quite odd considering the traumatic force it sustained). The Coracoclavicular lig rupture is very rare for this type of impact, but the repair will bring me back to 100% mobility/RoM. I have 8 weeks of no arm elevation above shoulder level. 12 weeks before I will be fully healed.

 

[67Rally]

Originally Posted by moderman .


Crazy! I had the same break and same surgery 11 days ago, the 27th!.. I'm still having quite a bit of pain.. And some weird sensitive skin issues arounf the incision.. Getting better for sure but not quite as easy as I thought it would be.. I have heard that these distal breaks and plates are more painful..
Only difference for me was that I broke mine 4 months ago and tried to let it heal naturally but it never did..
Anyway, I read o here about people getting the plate and riding in 2-3 weeks!!? Wtf.. No way that would be possible for me.. It's been 2 weeks and I think at this rate I will not ride for 8-10 at earliest..
How long did yur docs tell you to leave the sling on? I have kaiser and the info has befall over the map.. Surgeon said to only wear if it helps pain.. Last dr at follow up said 6 weeks in sling.. Anyway.. I'm just using at work and when go out...

My ortho docs (one for the bone repair and the other for the lig repair) urged a more rapid path to surgery. With the calcification that occurs in the healing process, the bones are far less likely to heal properly regardless of surgery, the longer you wait...think: diminishing returns with increased time following the injury. I am two weeks (today) post-op and I am still wearing the sling. I've been riding (my new ride!!!) on a trainer - I rode 10 of the 12 days following the crash and have ridden 3 of the past 14 days following the surgery.

One of my docs says that I am cleared to ride on the road as of today and the other says that I have to wait the full three weeks - I think the answer lies somewhere in between, but closer to the three month-time frame.

As far as the sling goes, I am starting to find periods where I can leave it off. I need to allow myself sometime to let the shoulder have motion and I've been working under that guidance from my doctor. It gets sore very easily and I know where my limits are. I would imagine that the sling will be a part of my daily repetoir for at least a few more weeks with a gradual "weaning."

Good luck with your healing!

 

[67Rally]

Originally Posted by ezcompany .

*****,

Thanks bro, the dizziness is about gone.

67rally,

Sorry to hear about your accident, and welcome to the club. lol

Moderman,

I just got my surgery days after yours, and it took 3 weeks for me to get the surgery after i broke mine.




I'm getting stronger day by day. My doctor told me to do some small circles and curls with my arm just to get the blood going and get it strong a bit.
Sleeping sucks! I've been sleeping with my back against a wall with lots of pillows sitting up right. How are you guys sleeping after the surgery?

The stress of not doing anything all day and day to day has been horrible for me mentally. :/ I don't know how you guys dealt with it.

This is hardly the club I aspired to belong to...but thanks for the welcome. My surgery date was Monday, 7/30.

I've been sleeping on my back and partially on the opposite side (using pillows to prop myself) since the 3rd night after surgery. My pain has been something I never thought would be this intense (I had labrum repair in '96 via arthroscopy that was painful, but a "2" compared to the "20" I felt those first two-three days post-op).

I too have been doing the circles along with forearm curls and that has been working as I can feel the range of motion returning to the shoulder.

 

[67Rally]

Originally Posted by moderman .

Your plate looks pretty standard...why did they say it was the first of its kind?

The plate is unique (new) in that it allows for the ligament repair (sutures) to be un-inhibited by the plate (typically a hook plate would have been used in my situation). This plate has some features (not visible in this anterior x-ray) that allow the sutures that are anchored between the clavicle and the corcoid process (there are now holes drilled to allow the sutures anchor points between the two locations). The alternative is to pass the sutures through one of the screw holes in the hook plate. Also, the design difference affords the plate to remain in place (permanently) in that it is set away from the AC joint and the labrum (two places where the hook plate causes pain and limited RoM, necessitating the removal 18-months post-op).

 

[willy81]

Originally Posted by 67Rally .

With the calcification that occurs in the healing process, the bones are far less likely to heal properly regardless of surgery, the longer you wait...think: diminishing returns with increased time following the injury.

How do you know that it will not heal properly?
Calcification does not happen always.
It happens when soft tissue enters into the fracture site.
But this is one of the benefits of the surgery, the Doctor will clean the fracture site and the two bones will form a perfect union.

 

[67Rally]

Originally Posted by willy81 .


How do you know that it will not heal properly?
Calcification does not happen always.
It happens when soft tissue enters into the fracture site.
But this is one of the benefits of the surgery, the Doctor will clean the fracture site and the two bones will form a perfect union.

willy81,

Please note that I that I said it was "less likely" rather than an absolute "it will not heal" properly.The longer the wait, the more intervention required and the increased complexity. The surgery is, without a doubt, the only solution (in this situation) that would lead to successful healing. Obviously, moderman wasn't healing without the surgical procedure.

 

[willy81]

67Rally,
ok now it is more clear to me.


There is something else I have noticed. The muscles are also affected by the crash, the impact. In my case they have lost power, they are a little softer than before, my Pectorals, my Posterior Deltoid but I believe they will get back soon when I start my normal activities again.

 

[67Rally]

Originally Posted by willy81 .

67Rally,
ok now it is more clear to me.


There is something else I have noticed. The muscles are also affected by the crash, the impact. In my case they have lost power, they are a little softer than before, my Pectorals, my Posterior Deltoid but I believe they will get back soon when I start my normal activities again.

Without a doubt, you will regain muscle mass and strength as you return to activity. A proactive yet gradual effort to rebuild what was lost will help you to achieve that.

In 1995, I suffered a partial tear of my labrum. I elected to pursue recovery via physical therapy in an effort to avoid surgery. After nine months, I had plateaued regaining only 20-30% RoM and even less overall strength. I was a wreck. In January of '96, I had the shoulder scoped and the repair was successful. I had 60-70% RoM TWO DAYS AFTER SURGERY! What was I thinking during the preceding months. Over the course of 3 months of PT, I built up the shoulder that had suffered tremendous atrophy and regained all that I had lost from the injury.

My current ortho docs stated that I will be at 95-100% of what I had prior to my break last month. I am two weeks post-op and I have ridden my new bike several times on the trainer. During yesterday's ride, I chose to forgo the sling and rode two-handed carefully applying minimal presser on the repaired shoulder as I rode aggressively for 20 miles (loads of resistance in the intense intervals). I felt sore, but it was such an encouragement to physically feel the progress so shortly following the surgery.

I have a goal to be on the road by the end of October. It could very well occur a few weeks sooner, but that will be something to be decided by the doctors and me.

I hope you are encouraged by your own progress!

 

[willy81]

thanks for your info 67Rally.
I don't believe we must push ourselves to get back riding.
In the past I have suffered a shoulder dislocation, no labrum tear but severe rotator cuff injuries. Recovery was slow but I could tell how strong I was so I could control my comeback to the sports.
This time I am a little worried because you can't really tell when a bone is healed completely. The Doctor said it will be fine in 3 months. I am not so frustrated to get back to sports unless I am 100% strong (impact wise) as before.

 

[67Rally]

Originally Posted by willy81 .

thanks for your info 67Rally.
I don't believe we must push ourselves to get back riding.
In the past I have suffered a shoulder dislocation, no labrum tear but severe rotator cuff injuries. Recovery was slow but I could tell how strong so I could control my comeback to the sports.
This time I am a little worried because you can't really tell when a bone is healed completely. The Doctor said it will be fine in 3 months. I am not so frustrated to get back to sports unless I am 100% strong (impact wise) as before.

Agree - no need to push.I am taking what I can get when I can get it. My recovery and healing are moving along better than I had anticipated. I doubt that I'll be doing push-ups or dumbbell curls anytime soon. I am only working out what is reasonable and in agreement with my physicians' directions for activity.

Cycling means a lot to me and I even enjoy riding my trainer. I will crawl before I walk. Walk before I run. I am, decidedly at the crawl stage.

 

[Bowlie]

Well i dont know anything about broken clavicles, but i have had reconstructive surgery on both shoulders and im only 19. All i can say on the matter is that with my experience surgery is very very good, it does have a long healing time afterwards but after that you should be right as rain. I cant say what is best for you, but i would say that dont be put off by fear of surgery

 

[ezcompany]

Wassup falles,

Its good to hear everyone is doing! I'm now a week post op and feeling good, still doing circle motion and curls with my left arm about two times a day.

I'm looking to try out EMS "Electric Muscle Stimulator" for working out my muscles to rehab them a bit.

What you guys think? /img/vbsmilies/smilies/smile.gif

 

[ezcompany]

^ Wait, now I think about it with the plate and screws; I don't know what it'll do or feel like. lmao

 

[moderman]

The plate is unique (new) in that it allows for the ligament repair (sutures) to be un-inhibited by the plate (typically a hook plate would have been used in my situation). This plate has some features (not visible in this anterior x-ray) that allow the sutures that are anchored between the clavicle and the corcoid process (there are now holes drilled to allow the sutures anchor points between the two locations). The alternative is to pass the sutures through one of the screw holes in the hook plate. Also, the design difference affords the plate to remain in place (permanently) in that it is set away from the AC joint and the labrum (two places where the hook plate causes pain and limited RoM, necessitating the removal 18-months post-op).

Interesting.. The dr was going to put a hook plate in me.. But I was informed and begged him to make it happen with a contoured plate and sutures.. He listened.. I'm glad.. I've heard the hook plates can be painful... Although this one has been soo painful!! Omg.. I thought it would be a few days.. I'm going into week 3 and it still hurts.. Starting to get better though.. But man..this is the real deal pain I'm talking about,, I think the distal end fractures or more painful.. From what I hear.. The mid clavicle fractures are not as bad to have plated.. My skin around the incision site is still super sensitive.. Skin is peeling off.. Feels like a bad sun burn when me shirt rubs against it.. Maybe it's nerves or maybe they used some industrial cleaner on me..idk.. But that is painful ontop of the other pain. ... I digress

 

[67Rally]

Originally Posted by moderman .


Interesting.. The dr was going to put a hook plate in me.. But I was informed and begged him to make it happen with a contoured plate and sutures.. He listened.. I'm glad.. I've heard the hook plates can be painful... Although this one has been soo painful!! Omg.. I thought it would be a few days.. I'm going into week 3 and it still hurts.. Starting to get better though.. But man..this is the real deal pain I'm talking about,, I think the distal end fractures or more painful.. From what I hear.. The mid clavicle fractures are not as bad to have plated..
My skin around the incision site is still super sensitive.. Skin is peeling off.. Feels like a bad sun burn when me shirt rubs against it.. Maybe it's nerves or maybe they used some industrial cleaner on me..idk.. But that is painful ontop of the other pain.
... I digress

Clearly, I am in agreement that the distal fractures and the subsequent plate/screw repair is painful.

I am slightly more than 2 weeks post-op and I still have pain though it is diminishing with each day of healing. I too have the skin sensitivities that you noted. The sunburn-type pain is an odd sensation. I also have an area (approx 3-4 square inches) of the surgical site and surrounding skin that has very discernible numbness at the surface. I can feel neither temperature nor slight touch. I am assuming that this is due to the massive incision (about 6" along the clavicle) that severed nerves. From what I understand, much of the numbness will diminish as the nerves repair themselves over time.

What does the contoured plate/sutures repair look like? Did you sustain a mid-clav fracture?

 

[willy81]

Originally Posted by 67Rally .


I am slightly more than 2 weeks post-op and I still have pain though it is diminishing with each day of healing. I too have the skin sensitivities that you noted. The sunburn-type pain is an odd sensation. I also have an area (approx 3-4 square inches) of the surgical site and surrounding skin that has very discernible numbness at the surface. I can feel neither temperature nor slight touch. I am assuming that this is due to the massive incision (about 6" along the clavicle) that severed nerves. From what I understand, much of the numbness will diminish as the nerves repair themselves over time.

they can be side effects of the crash, don't forget the impact was of extreme magnitude and all surrounding muscles are affected, the skin has also suffered and as a result the increased numbness and the lack of feeling.
I still have these problems, I have reduced feeling at the area were the impact happened.
it will go away with time.

 

[67Rally]

Originally Posted by willy81 .

they can be side effects of the crash, don't forget the impact was of extreme magnitude and all surrounding muscles are affected, the skin has also suffered and as a result the increased numbness and the lack of feeling.
I still have these problems, I have reduced feeling at the area were the impact happened.
it will go away with time.

I agree with your assessment however I had the normal skin sensations prior to the surgery.

The impact was on the side of the outward side of the deltoid (as that was also where the contusion/abrasion were present). The numbness is on the top of the shoulder adjacent to the incision (between the lengthwise, main incision and the scope entrances).

 

[ezcompany]

Hi guys,

Good to hear you guys are doing well and sharing experiences. I'm week post op today and I lost about 20lb, from 185 to 165! Everyone that haven't seen me in awhile since my accident are a bit disturb. I can't to get back to weight lifting even if just doing lower body and running/cardio! I hope you guys are keeping up with your health.

 

[lets see em]

hey guys just wanted too share my story i broke my right clavicle april 29 this year it didnt heal got surgery july 26 this year ti plate and 10 screws its been almost 3 weeks since surgry my arm feels a lot better then it did a week ago only problem so far is it feels really tight around the plate and one of the tendons in my neck is really sore iam told not to move my arm i go back see doctor sept 5th i was just wondering if any of you guys are really big into weight lifting and if you ever got back to a level of lifting after surgery ?how long before you could bench press or do shoulders and what did it feel like?

 

[lets see em]

i broke my clavicle april 29 this year it didnt heal so i got surgery july 26 this year ti plate 10 screws its now 3 weeks after surgery and not much pain just feels really tight around the clavicle and a tendon in my neck hurts other then that not to much pain now i was just wondering if anyone is big into working out lifting weights like bench press should press and have been able to get back to it after having this surgery and if you were able to could you get close to a level you were at before and if so how long did it take you before you coulld do bench press and shoulder work outs thanks this is a shtty injury