broken clavicle...surgery or not?



Originally Posted by 67Rally .

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?
Click to expand...
Before

https://picasaweb.google.com/106092307578191162413/May302012?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCOfK2djF4pDwSA&feat=directlink

After, just a cell phone pic but you get the idea..

https://picasaweb.google.com/106092307578191162413/August152012?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJm086XIoKWBjgE&feat=directlink

I have the same numb patch as well.. I hear that may never fully go away..and my skin is peeling and really rough..getting better.. i have like 3 layers of pain.. the plate, the nerve thing and muscular pain.. from my shoulder and neck being so tight from months of favoring my right side..

I'm pretty good until about 2-3 in the afternoon then it starts hurting bad.. but I think its more muscular at that point...
 

was wondering if any of you guys lift heavy weight like bench press shoulder press after having surgery and how long did it take i had surgery on july 26 this year been 3 weeks i only have tghtness and tendons in my neck hurt
 
Originally Posted by lets see em .

was wondering if any of you guys lift heavy weight like bench press shoulder press after having surgery and how long did it take i had surgery on july 26 this year been 3 weeks i only have tghtness and tendons in my neck hurt
Click to expand...

after several months you will be able to weight lift as before, my Doctor said to wait at least 6 months
 
I'm two weeks post op, going to the doctors today for xray and to get the stitches removed.

My Doctor wants me to do PT but I dont think I have enough money for it. Im dont have insurance.

Did you guys do PT?

If not what kind of stuff did you guys do to get your motion back?
 
I am 7 weeks post-op and I have not done PT at all.
I do some exercises at home though, such as internal/external rotation with elastic bands (red), abduction with 1Kg.
Don't worry about PT at this stage, your muscles will come back easily when you get back to your normal activities.
You will see yourself in the next weeks as your bone mends you will feel more confident and you will start using it more, then your muscles will respond and come back gradually.
 
from what I have experienced so far what we actually need is not PT but some light Muscle Stretching.
Muscles around the shoulder area become a little too tight.
The impact was violent, that's the reason we had this collar bone fracture, and the muscles were suffered too.
 
You're right *****, stretching opens up the muscles and tight veins.

My neck is a bit tight too like "Let see em." I hope it gets loosen after this week.

I've been doing larger circle movement now and wall walking. My Doctor said he expects me to move my arm up past my head in a week. How long did you guys take to do that?

I too a very active person and enjoy weight lifting. I average 6 days a week in the gym. I guess I'm going to be doing more leg workout and cardio for a couple of months to make sure Im completely healed.

Heres my xray from yesterday

 
You can lift your arm above your head now, you have the capability to do it but you SHOULD NOT because the plate will break and the two parts of the bone will move away from each other.
Be smart, don't even try it.

My Doctor asked me to do this 4 weeks after the surgery and I did it.
After the 3rd week the Union starts to become a little more solid.
When you have a fracture you must relax for several weeks until a Union is formed and then work with your muscles.
 
Oh no, I'm not planning to move my arm above my head until my next xray appointment with my doctor which is in 2 weeks.

I just been doing, circle motion bending forward and wall walk with my finger below my shoulders, Im not planning on rushing my activities.

I'm just wondering for long should I do these workout per day. My doctor just said, "Do them when you remember" haha

Also, today started not wearing my sling around the house, I just pretend I'm on a sling when I walk. Am I the only one who does this?
 
no ezcompany lol i totally walk around like iam still in a sling even know i am not. i was just wondeing how old you are cause we both had surgry around the same time and we both like to work out so it would be cool to hear your progress
 
Hi letseeem,

I'm 26, and I'm recovering pretty good. I have this sunburn feeling on my left pec when my shirt is on it, really sensitive! Also, my neck is a bit stiff, including the tendons. I'm been doing some exercises such as bending forward while doing circles with my arm, squeezing a ball, rolling the ball on the wall with my hand, and while laying down on my back with my arm straight flat palm facing down, I would press my hand down a bit to contract the muscles.

Heres some neck stretches I found that works for me. Just go on next once after you've done the exercise
http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/flexibilityexercises/ss/NeckStretches.htm


How bout you letseeem? How are you recovering?
 
Had/have the same sunburn feeling.. totally normal.. can last for months from what I hear.. I'm 5 weeks in and its getting better.. almost full range of motion.. still sore..
 
Nice to hear that all of us are progressing fine.
I am almost 9 weeks post-op, the bone seems to have formed a nice union.
The problem now is my muscles. When I crashed the impact was immense and the muscles have suffered quite a lot.
I still feel the numbness at the impact area and a little around it.
All surrounding muscles (front/lateral deltoids, pectorals etc) have atrophied a little, it is not much but I feel them weak. They will return as the time passes with the proper workout of course, but now I am a little frustrated because it is the muscles that make me feel awkward.
 
I am 42 but age does not matter that much in bone healing unless you are 80 where the body could be depleted from Calcium and Potassium.
I receive Ca and K supplements and my food also contains a lot of them (milk, bananas, etc).

All those weeks I noticed three point of significant improvement:
1) between the 2nd and 3rd week
2) between the 5th and 6th week and
3) after the 8th week

so I believe it is matter of time for you to feel the same.

About this TENS unit I would be a little reserved and I would strongly advise you to ask your Doctor.
Does it really help the bones heal faster? Are you sure? There are devices which can do that but not this one.
But since you had the surgery let your bones heal naturally.

The sunburn you feel might be from the impact, I have about the same feeling, but it will go away with time.
I was feeling strange when I touched the scar, probably the nerves there have come up to the surface since the skin was cut, but it has gone away now.
 
Good to hear you found those exercises useful. About the TENS, I used it on my arm and back shoulder. It opens up the tight veins allowing more blood flow thus heals the muscles and bones blood supply a lot faster. Also it eliminates muscle soreness/pain.

Are you guys back to work?

I've been out of work for almost two months now and the medical bills are keep on coming in, sucks not having insurance. They'e going to have to wait until im better. haha
 
office work for me was possible after the first week,
full time manual work is still impossible, as I have said earlier it is my weak muscles the problem now.
 
I work with CNC machines, can't really get the job done without using my hands. I kind of wish I have a office job right now. lol
 
ezcompany said:
***** and Moderman, do you guys mind if I asked how old are you? I'm about 4 weeks post op. Muscles are sore but getting better with work outs and with a little help from my TENS device that I bought. I read it helps the bones and muscles heal faster. Heres the link http://www.lgmedsupply.com/lgdilcdteunw.html
Click to expand...
38...wish I was 26.. I disagree with the age thing not playing a role.. At 26 you should heal more quickly.. The sun burn feeling is not from the impact.. It's from the surgery.. They cut through nerves.... May always be alittle burning Or may go away.. Just depends..from what I hear.. I know the burning is not impact related becuase I broke my clavicle 4 months before having surgery.. Then had a non union and decided to get it plated... No burning until after surgery.. Not sure about the tens device.. But for me right now it's massage..had one yesterday..huge help! Find a good one.. Acupuncture..not started yet but I have great luck with it.. And stretching.. Also good nutrition and exercise.. I've been riding stationary bike..stair master etc.. Also, I be been taking 1200-1500 calcium http://www.amazon.com/Mezotrace-Calcium-Magnesium-Minerals-Elements/dp/B0019LV4NG/ref=pd_sim_hpc_2 Has all kinds of trace elements.. Seems good. And 2000ui of vitamin D Along with http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Food-Super-Greens-Grams/dp/B0012QSFY4 Which I mix in with other stuff to make a killer green drink .. example; 1 apple, 1 scoop perfect food, 2 kale leaves, 2 collard green leaves, half mango and some grapes today..Protein powder too.. I'm using hemp powder..but not my fav, kind of gritty.
 
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