surgery for a broken clavicle?
 

I took a spill yesterday and broke my collarbone, saw an orthopedic MD today and he recommended surgery because the bones are overlapping and surgery would take care of that.... He did say recovery time is 6 weeks with or without surgery.... I did agree to have the surgery next monday but am now wondering if it is really necessary..... does anyone have any experience with this? he said it is a fairly new development in treatment

thanks in advance

My bone guy (this was 10 years ago) was strictly against it. I wanted it cuz I heard you'd be back on the bike quicker and I was into that.

He showed me some infection stuff, some reject stuff and convinced me to let nature take it's course. I've got an ugly lump where the bone crosses itself but that join is tough! Next time I crashed that side it broke out at the process.

I have no idea what's new in ortho and I haven't slept in a Holiday Inn Express either.

Good Luck with your healing.

I tend to put my trust in my doctors, but I also seek out the best doctors I can find and get second opinions when I feel necessary. My position is that they know a whole lot more than I do about medical stuff.

I hit the ground in'03 and broke my right clavicle, and didn't have surgery because the doc told me that the plate and screws method will loosen over time, and the overlap healing method heals very strong. I don't know the specifics of your injury, but I would get a second opinion from a good orthopedist. I've had no problems with the non surgery method. Good luck.

I had a similar experience a year ago and opted for surgery. In hindsight it was the right decision. The doctor told me that I had a choice, but that given where the break was it was a toss up whether it would heal correctly (ultimately meaning surgery anyway). I was back on the trainer in about 3-4 weeks and at full motion and basic strength after about 8. The procedure was outpatient at a local surgery center with less pain after the procedure than immediately following the break. Good Luck.

I had my collar bone surgically repaired in 2010. If you question your dr's advice get another professional opinion.

Very few people on this board are qualified to provide you with medical advice.

Hopefully, the few people who are qualified will realize they can't possibly give you good advice, without knowing your medical history.

If you aren't sure, get a second opinion. From an actual doctor. ;)

I'd get at least one, if not more, other opinions. In San Diego I'm sure there are numerous other docs that you can see. The thing that has me curious is that he said it is a new development in treatment. It's a broken bone, I'm not sure what kind of developments there could have been.

Bump +1

Broke mine two years ago. First doctor I went (surgeon) suggested we operate. He said he gave it a 50/50 shot of healing properly on its own, otherwise at around week 8 I'd need the surgery if it didn't heal. I went for a second ortho opinion (non-surgeon) and he said it really didn't need surgery at all.

Of course no one on this board is qualified to give you medical advice, but absolutely get a second opinion. I went with natural healing option and I was back to work (upper body intensive) exactly 8 weeks from the accident.

Good luck.

I had it severely broken so it had to be screwed back together.
Not a problem, and you will ride sooner because plates and screws make it strong while healing.
Of course, you'll have another surgery removing it, but it is reasonably quick recovery wise.

not necessarily. I left mine in. I know who others who have as well.

This is the correct answer.

What I can add, is that there are always going to be trade-offs in treatment options. Pain, speed to recovery, final result, etc., so discuss your goals and values with the ortho and make a decision that is right for you. If you want to be sure, feel free to get a second opinion.

I must point out, though, that you must really trust your surgeon because he undoubtedly is going to get paid more for doing an operation than he will for just checking you out with another x-ray in a month.

^ This.

Good luck with your recovery. :thumb:

If the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Thus there's going to be a natural inclination for Surgeons to want to do surgery.

That doesn't mean that surgery isn't the answer in the OP's case.

It does mean it may be worthwhile for the OP to research the issue, and get another medical opinion.

An Orthopedic Surgeon who works on collar bones is obviously qualified to give the OP the data he needs. That doesn't mean that the OP should blindly follow the physician's advice, where the decision is ultimately a judgment call, and is likely affected by his individual priorities. (i.e. healing time, cosmetic issues, cost, versus potential complications.) Doctors have no monoply on making value based decisions.

Find a doctor who will use the new Clavicle Fracture Fixation System from these guys. A friend of mine had it put in and has no lumps and easily returned to endurance riding. http://www.suspensionortho.com/products