broken clavicle...surgery or not?

Punisher92009

I pulverized my left clavicle proving that gravity can real pummel the human body.

I was cut open what would resemble the entire length of my left clavicle had it remained in tact. I had a cadaver's clavicle put in place of mine to be accompanied by a metal bridge.

I had to wear an immobilizer for 2 weeks if I recall correctly but after that I was just watching to make sure the sutures did not tear. I got x-rays every 2 weeks for the first 2 months to make sure none of the screws backed out. After 2 months if went to 1 x ray done every month till the 6 month anniversary.

However, after the 2 month window I was heavy into rehab/pt. I did a lot of pool work as the weighlessness aided in my recovery/recuperation time.

If I can be of any other help, please drop me a pm.

Hope some of this helped out.

~Andy

Punisher92009

Contact any of the farm hockey teams as they should be able to put you in contact with a sports specialist in your neck of the woods.

~A

Punisher92009

Definition: O.R.I.F. is an abbreviation for Open Reduction Internal Fixation. Open reduction internal fixation is a method of surgically repairing a fractured bone. Generally, this involves either the use of plates and screws or an intramedullary (IM) rod to stabilize the bone. If you are having a broken bone treated by ORIF, you will be taken to the operating room, given anesthesia so that you will not feel the surgery, and have your bones repaired by an orthopedic surgeon.


Also Known As: Open Reduction Internal Fixation, Operative Treatment, Open Treatment

Great link for Clavicular Injuries
http://www.emedicine.com/SPORTS/topic25.htm

Garden Girl

[QUOTE=Punisher92009]I pulverized my left clavicle proving that gravity can real pummel the human body. ....

Wow! That must have been quite the experence. Thanks for all the info. I'll see if I can contact one of the teams.

jhshannon

After reading all these postings I am a bit confused. I busted my clavicle March 3 in a road race (some guy decided it would be a good idea to take one hand off the bars and look over his shoulder before pulling off, and down he went, along with 12 of us.). My clavicle was broken in 3 spots (medial and distal) and the ends are very displaces and two fragments lie in different planes one not even touching the other bones, the other sticking up and almost poking through my skin. The two orthopedists I've seen here in NYC both recommend against surgery despite a month having passed and no signs of new growth or union. I am very concerned that it won't heal (any concerns about getting back my season or gone; it's now a matter of maybe Sept 07 or realistically Spring 2008). Not sure if waiting for the body to do its tricks will be enough..... sigh .
But I'm going to wait and see. Worst case is I go under the knife in Sept.

waspo

Hey, that's the same day I broke mine! How is it feeling? Are you still sore? Can you move your arm ok?
Mine is improving and so far, feels as if it's joined to the other bone with a slight displacement. Still sore though and I've only just start to use my arm with limited range.
I get more x-rays in about 4 weeks time to see if there is actually bone starting to grow. Fingers crossed!
I guess when the specialist say to leave it, then it's the best thing to heal naturally and only have surgery if it's going to affect your ability to do the things you used to do.
It's a Loooong healing process though, which it the down side if you want to get back in the action sooner. Surgery does certainly help avoid this in the short term and gets you up in running quickly, but may give you a false sense of security. So, you'll still need to take it easy.
I'm forever touching around the broken area and feeling the bump. Feels weird. Also, I check to see if my shoulders are even. Sort of obsessive behavior you could say, but when your used to weight training and keeping you body symetrical it does play on your mind abit....hopefully I'll get over it though.

jhshannon

I don't have that much pain any longer, except when I do something stupid like reach up or pick something up. The bones haven't started to fuse yet, but I'm still going to wait it out. I was overly optimistic that it would heal quickly and perhaps I returned to activities sooner than I should have (though I still haven't been on the bike; perhaps it's good that the bike is still at the shop awaiting some repairs, so there's no temptation). I'll stick it out and hope for the best - I'd rather avoid surgery now with the assumption that it will heal better in the end. We'll see. I'm not so concerned about the cosmetic aspect, and even now my range of motion is pretty good (I'd say 80%). So if I can get that close to normal and ride my bike again, I'll be happy. It will prob be another month before I start training again, though, and I've already been off the bike a month +, so it's starting to get to me .
Good luck in your recovery!

SerpicoUK

I've not read all the stories but I thought I'd add mine and ask for some advice:

I'm 'lucky' enough to have broken both my clavicles. The first was my own fault after cutting onto the grass next to the road to get around an obstacle. What I didn't see was the drainage ditch for the field on the other side of the hedgerow. My shoulder was sore but I didn't even realise it was broken until I got home and had a closer look. Arm in a sling for a while and all better in ~4-6 weeks. Only issue I have is that it now clicks when I rotate the shoulder.

Second time was last August where I broke the other side. Kids on bikes cutting the corner (so on the wrong side of the road) caused the crash....I knew this was much worse when I didn't get straight up. Distal 3rd break with large displacement meant a plate and eight screws were required. I would say surgery is no big deal and whilst total recovery was a similar length of time the arm was mobile much sooner with surgery, but at the cost of a 4-5 inch scar.

That’s my experience - however it’s not quite over. Being all skin and bone I find that the plate actually protrudes from under the skin. Not only does this not look very nice it actually means that wearing backpacks and seat belts etc rub over it causing discomfort. My surgeon tells me he can take it out without difficulty (in fact day surgery under a local!). Does anyone have any experience of this? Would it be a good idea?

Serp

Garden Girl

[QUOTE=jhshannon]I don't have that much pain any longer, except when I do something stupid like reach up or pick something up.


What is it about the month of March?, we all seem to be getting injured in this month. Must be Collorbone month or something. You say you have 80% range of motion. Does that included having your hand higher than your shoulder? I have good circular motion but can't seem to get higher than my shoulder without it becoming painful, otherwise pain isn't too bad most of the time. I asked the doc alot of questions and have come to my decision to wait to see if the collorbone heals on it's own. I don't want to risk a possible infection or other possible problems that could mean I get fully knocked out of commision. Right now it's way too busy in the greenhouse and at least right now I'm somewhat functional. By the way, my sisters wedding went great. I set up a beautiful waterfall and pond display with help of course, kept the sling off for the ceromony and picture taking and even did some dancing but I am a little tender today. I too find it challenging to be patient for the healing process. It sure sucks not being able to do what I want. I see the doc again tomorrow, hopefully there will be some new bone formation beginning.

Garden Girl

Hey everyone, I got good news at the doc's this week. After four weeks there is some new bone formation. I could even see the difference on the x-rays myself. Also one of the bone fragments has altered it's location slightly. It used to be mostly vertical and I could feel it and push it up to a horizontal position, which gave everyone the "shudders" any time I did it. It seems to be remaining in a horizontal position now and I can't seem to feel it like I used to. It's not exactly lined up with the larger bone ends but at least it is in a better position. Also the Doc helped me to raise my arm above my head and I didn't have any pain in my collar bone region just in my bicep, but nothing I couldn't handle. The doc told me to keep up what I've been doing. I think he may have been slightly surprised to see some new bone forming. Hopefully this is a sign that opting to not have surgery was the right decision, and the bones will join rather than be a non-union.

wolfman113

WELL HERE I AM 11MONTHS AFTER MY CRASH WHICH BROKE MY CLAVICLE. WENT ABOUT 5MONTHS THINKING IT WAS GOING TO HEAL ON ITS OWN, NO SUCH LUCK HAD THE SURGERY ON NOV.13 A DAY BEFORE MY BIRTHDAY NOW AM STILL IN PAIN AND NONUNION OF THE BONES,SO BELIEVE IT OR NOT I HAVE TO GET A SECOND SURGERY ON APRIL 23 THIS MONDAY. THIS WHOLE INJURY HAS BEEN FOR ME A LIVING NITEMARE. EVERYTHING THEY TELL YOU ABOUT HEALING DIDNT WORK FOR ME I HOPE THE DR. HAS A PLAN ON HOW TO FIX THIS BONE BECAUSE I CANT STAND THE PAIN ANY MORE I HAVE HAD A LOT OF BROKEN BONES IN MY LIFE BUT MUST SAY WITHOUT A DOUBT THIS IS THE WORST...I AM WRITING IN HOPES THAT MAYBE SOMEONE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM,I ALSO HOPE THAT THIS MIGHT HELP SOMEONE OUT THERE, BECAUSE IF I COULD DO IT OVER AGAIN I WOULD NOT OF HAD THE SURGERY THE FIRST TIME. NOW HERE I AM LOOKING AT A SECOND SURGERY I AM VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE A WOMAN LIKE I DO. I WOULD NOT HAVE MADE IT WITHOUT HER LOVE AND SUPPORT. IF ANYONE HAS A SIMILAR SITUATION PLEASE HIT ME BACK. I COULD REALLY USE THE INSIGHT AS TO WHAT I AM LOOKING AT THE SECOND TIME AROUND THANK YOU AND TAKE CARE EVERYONE OUT THERE BECAUSE I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE GOING THRU

ksluis

I broke my left clavicle yesterday after a nice nose dive over the handlebars. The break is in the middle and is a single break. The bone is displaced about 50% of its width, but the doctor says the gaps will fill in with new bone. He says it could go either way as far as surgery is concerned and is basically leaving it up to me, saying I can choose between a significant lump, or a 3" scar. That's a close call for me. I was wondering if anybody knows the approximate cost of this surgery? I have to pay 10% with my medical, so am looking for a ballpark figure. My wild guess would be in the $10k range. Anybody know what I should expect to pay for this type of surgery?

waspo

Hi Garden Girl, looks like your starting to get some positive results happening. I'm happy for you and wish you all the luck with your progress.

I get an x-ray next week to see if the bone is growing.
The shoulder is improving day-by-day, and I'm slowly gaining more strength.
I can lift my arm straight up over my head, but it's very tight around the lateral muscle. I need to stretch this out everyday which does help alittle.
Touching around the bumpy outcrop, I feel it has risen slightly and is alittle more promenant, which kinda sucks. It sticks out most when my arm is out infront of me. I only feel pain if i push at something down low, like putting a plug in the wall socket. I can even pick up my 10kg, 9month old boy, which is nice.
Eventhough things are improving and the bone seams to feel as if it has set, I'm really hoping for a good result next week so I can finally start getting back into my normal activities.

wolfman113, I feel for you buddy! So far my clavicle is in a better position than yours, but even then to have it broken in the first place is the worst thing that's happened to me in all my 36 years of life. I had to laugh when my Vet told me "...it's the better bone to break". Are you kinding or what?!!! He obviously hasn't experienced one yet! mmmmm......that can be arranged.lol!
My wife is very supportive too and it's good to have someone who cares. It's a nasty piece of work.
I hope all went well with the operation.
Please keep us informed on your progress, because it's definately helpful to the new broken clavicle members. Best of luck!

ksluis, all I can say is "Welcome to the club"! It's a really hard discision whether or not to have surgery, with many factors to consider. Kind of a catch 22. Whatever you decide, do it for the right reasons. If you go with surgery, try to go the Pinning option if possible, because as you probably know it's less invasive with minimal scaring; or wait it out and see how it mends on it's own.
At 50%, it sounds pretty good just to leave it heal. Mine is at 100% and feels good. Also, my clavicles don't show much so I can't even see much of a protrution anyway.
The main result for me is to have full movement and strength in my shoulder which I'm fairly optimistic about. But like they say only time will tell.
As for surgery costs, now there's a good question.
I may throw that one across to my specialist next week.
Good luck on what you decide and speedy recovery. You're in for a world of discomfort for the next few weeks!

jhshannon

That's great news! Sounds like you are def on the road to recovery. Today marks 2 months since my crash and burn. I've been seeing a physical therapist. Seems like having my arm in a sling allowed my arm muscles to weaken considerably (I could barely hold a 3 pound weight at shoulder level) and I now have some bad bursitis in the shoulder - but no pain where the breaks are. I can lift my arm over my head now, though it's a little tough to get full extension. I'll get some x-rays on Wed to see if there's been any bone growth. I hope so. I'm going nuts not being able to ride, though I did spend some time on a recumbant at the gym today and that was ok ... but not quite the same thing as the road bike that's for sure