Fell off my bike.... again. Race report here: http://gplama.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/cycling-victoria-wangaratta-itt-august.html
broken clavicle...surgery or not?
- Thread starter James Thomas
- Start date
I just got back home to Toronto from a 3 week backpack through Europe. Backpacking probably wouldn't be the right word for me because I was mostly using messenger bags or a rolling suitcase because of how straps irritate the plate and scar. Other than that though everything was perfect. I couldn't imagine doing the trip with the malunion I had before. It was always sore and getting in the way. Things like this just continue to prove I made the right choice.
When you have the plate removed it will stop bothering you anymore. I am 14 months post op and still feel it irritated when it gets in contact with something for long time, I don't worry because I will have the plate out. Btw what European countries have you visited?bsbs1876 said:
It's not a guarantee that it will stop bothering me. There are many other factors and I have spoken to people who have had theirs removed. Some have said that it resolved all issues completely, while others say they are still irritated in that area. In some cases it is not the plate even though we think it is since it protrudes. There are other things which may be causing discomfort such as damaged skin and muscle tissues which may even worsen with another surgery. I think it's important to be realistic when going under the knife. My doctor has told me that it may or may not provide relief. I am willing to take the risk because I personally have psychological issues with keeping metal in me for decades and going into old age. It is my opinion that not enough time has passed since these medical advances have been implemented to tell whether or not problems will occur in the future due to hardware such as osteoporosis. In some cases this has been found to happen. I am not a doctor so this is just my opinion and I personally just have a "get this thing out of me" attitude when it comes to the plate and 10 screws in my shoulder. My doctor sees it as completely reasonable and fair. Hardware removal is a decision usually left to the patient.
My trip was a blast. I visited the Greek islands of Crete, Andros, Mykonos & Santorini, Italy, Germany, and France. I have a Greek background so it was great to see family and get some nice weather in. Can't wait to go back!
I believe getting the plate/screws out increases the chances your surrounding muscles to get to a full normal state if the doctor uses internal stitches for the internal muscles too, not only to close the scar. My problem is that I still feel some numbness at the impact point 14 months after the accident. Probably if I get rid of the hardware it will help this too. Brad, check your PMs
Dissection and closure is always done in layers and doctors do their best to reconnect everything properly. The skill of the surgeon of course makes a difference.
My numbness has come a long way and I am only 6 months post op. It is still there but it honestly doesn't bug me that much. The only time I get a bit annoyed is when I am driving because my seat belt goes over that shoulder. Other than that I don't have many issues. I have read about a few patients who have had improvement with numbness after having hardware removed, but I think in most cases the numbness is just nerve damage that will either take time or just be permanent. This is important to realize and consider because a second surgery could actually cause more nerve damage.
My numbness has come a long way and I am only 6 months post op. It is still there but it honestly doesn't bug me that much. The only time I get a bit annoyed is when I am driving because my seat belt goes over that shoulder. Other than that I don't have many issues. I have read about a few patients who have had improvement with numbness after having hardware removed, but I think in most cases the numbness is just nerve damage that will either take time or just be permanent. This is important to realize and consider because a second surgery could actually cause more nerve damage.
Is there anyone on here who maybe has some tips to helping recover the nerves? I am 2 years post op and think i am SOL. I posted earlier about stomach rash and the docs think my bad nerves are messing with the blood vessels in my stomach. And well Alienator i asked the docs and they look at me like i am SOL so i am asking advice on here as to try and cure myself because they dont do much for you unless your dying. Any advise? Creams? Massage? Vitamins? Everyone says you just have to wait but i dont think it is ever going to get better on its own. I am still pretty much completly numb around the incision which measures from the top of my shoulder to the front of my neck. Thanks in advance
that's my guess too, I believe the numbness will heal after the hardware is removed, generally the metal disrupts the normal function of the soft tissue. I had an other accident in the past and the numbness disappeared after several years, I am optimistic. The nerve damage caused by the surgery heals relatively quicker, around the scar it does not bother me at all, what I have noticed though was that the muscles had loosen quite a lot, but now 14 months post op are becoming tight again, in fact they started 4-5 months ago, but now the feel and show tight as before.
See different doctors. See a neurologist. What kind of doctors are you seeing? Nerve regeneration isn't a speedy process if it happens at all. The odds are highly stacked against you finding any miracle cure on the internet. Again, as always, if you don't like a doctor, like what a doctor has to say, or feel unsatisfied with your progress, get an opinion from another doctor. It is absolutely not true that doctors in general won't do anything "unless you're dying." That would be within the purview of bad doctors.bbninja said:
probably you ask your Doctor if they placed enough internal stitches, as bsbs says if they done it in layers, probably acupuncture could revive the surrounding muscles, you better ask if it can do any good. Your stomach rash could be independent from your shoulder, I had stomach rash some years ago but it was because I was to much stressed, consume a lot of coffees, generally my eating habits were quite unhealthy. try to get some healthy nutrition, quit coffee and get some simple medication for digestion. If the rash is external, some kind of dermatitis I don't believe it has anything to do with the numbness, but you said "stomach", You probably want to ask a dermatologist instead of your Orthopedic doctorbbninja said:
Thanks everyone,
@ Alienator I have a family doctor and i have seen a skin specialist. Your right though maybe i should look at getting a different family doctor., Its pretty hard to get to see a specialist around here so whatever they give you has to do. I have seen a couple other clinic doctors as well that are not sure why i would get the rash but that my allergy levels were high thru bloodwork and think i am reacting to something. I went to a allergist that found no reaction to your basic stuff. I was allergic to pennicillian when i was a kid and now i am preparing for a full test on it to see if i am allergic still. Maybe if they could perscribe me penicillian again maybe that could help. Its all just kinda wierd to me and most people that listen to my story. I dont know.
@***** I still wonder about the plate, i still have it in and plan on keeping it in but wonder if i would be better to take it out. With all the skin issues i been having i am really worried about surgery. I had a severe case of Folliculitus after the initial surgery and recently puncherd my forearm which got infected and another round of Folliculitis, coupled with the wierd rash thing i am nervous. Anyways you are right on about the stress, coffee and nutrition though. I will try to eat better in hopes of riding myself of this. I do not have any digestion issues though. Well i will keep trying to figure this out.
@ Alienator I have a family doctor and i have seen a skin specialist. Your right though maybe i should look at getting a different family doctor., Its pretty hard to get to see a specialist around here so whatever they give you has to do. I have seen a couple other clinic doctors as well that are not sure why i would get the rash but that my allergy levels were high thru bloodwork and think i am reacting to something. I went to a allergist that found no reaction to your basic stuff. I was allergic to pennicillian when i was a kid and now i am preparing for a full test on it to see if i am allergic still. Maybe if they could perscribe me penicillian again maybe that could help. Its all just kinda wierd to me and most people that listen to my story. I dont know.
@***** I still wonder about the plate, i still have it in and plan on keeping it in but wonder if i would be better to take it out. With all the skin issues i been having i am really worried about surgery. I had a severe case of Folliculitus after the initial surgery and recently puncherd my forearm which got infected and another round of Folliculitis, coupled with the wierd rash thing i am nervous. Anyways you are right on about the stress, coffee and nutrition though. I will try to eat better in hopes of riding myself of this. I do not have any digestion issues though. Well i will keep trying to figure this out.
Quote: Originally Posted by bbninja .
Canada
Another fine example of how shitty public health care is. I had to see 4 different surgeons and wait 3 years to have my surgery done that I was basically begging for from the beginning. The whole time I wished I could just go to someone and pay them to do it but it doesn't work like that here.
Canada
Another fine example of how shitty public health care is. I had to see 4 different surgeons and wait 3 years to have my surgery done that I was basically begging for from the beginning. The whole time I wished I could just go to someone and pay them to do it but it doesn't work like that here.
Obviously there are positives too. What I meant is how shitty it can be. If you don't live in Canada you really can't chime in on the subject. Our clinics are crammed every day with 8 hour wait times and doctors treat you like a number. It's a serious issue.
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