dockmur

Unfortunately, a broken collarbone is an injury a lot of us share as cyclists so I think I've come to the right place for advice. I broke my collarbone 15 years ago in a bike race. Did a whammy on it crushing some of the bone. At the time surgery was not an option. It healed malformed with fibrous tissue rather than laying solid bone. It's not pretty to look at but hasn't kept me off the bike or doing the things I like to do. Recently I tore some of the fibrous tissue and the clavicle needs to be repaired. My doc wants to use a bone graft, plate and screws to repair. Anyone here have a broken collarbone surgically repaired years after the initial fracture? Especially using a bone graft? What was your outcome/experience? Are you pain free and completely functional? Did it cause more problems than it fixed or are you satisfied you had it done? I know the outcome is based on the nature of the break and the skill of the surgeon but I would like feedback from real life experience from those who have gone before. Thanks.

John E

I hope someone will jump in with useful data for your specific situation -- I am not there now, but I suppose I potentially could be. I did a double fracture of the left clavicle in 1976, and the only treatment was to wear a butterfly strap for 2-1/2 weeks. The very palpable twin calluses, right under the shoulder belt when I drive, have occasionally bothered me on long road trips, and my left shoulder is a bit down and forward, compared to my right.

My biggest concern with a surgical hardware repair would be whether it would cause permanent discomfort, sort of a more severe and actually significant version of my minor complaints.