Broken Clavicle Healing Improperly

[Chris_Jackson]

Broke my R clavicle on 4-28-08, it's been 3 weeks and it's healing up shorter than normal.

It's broken right in the middle and the original xray shows the ends pushed past each other, overlapping about 30 to 40mm. I think that it is healing in this overlapped condition. My shoulder is that much shorter. It's pulling my neck tendons down and holding my arm up. And I can feel the place where it's overlapping.

How difficult is the operation to re-break and pin the clavicle? What are the possible complications and their chance of happening?

[Chris_Jackson]

Greetings,

Do you think it's any added complication that it's been healing for 3 weeks?

[DrNavneetMD]

Hello Dear,

For mid shaft clavicle fractures,a new intramedullary fixation technique  permits normal alignment and restoration of length of the clavicle with an early return to work . The risks of surgery, including non-union and infection, are still present; however, for people who are concerned about optimal anatomic alignment and healing, this technique has served these patients well
Surgical intervention can allow the patient to:regain length,regain stability. ,return to work. surgical fixation  promotes proper healing by preventing:overlap between the fractured bone and development of a fibrous non-union.
The sideeffects of surgery could be higher infection rate estimated at less than 1%, potential hardware complications or failure, skin incisions non-union risks,surgical regional block risks.You should consult an orthopedic doctor and discuss with him regarding more clarifications.You can refer http://www.stoneclinic.com/clavicle_fracture_repair.htm.
Best

[DrNavneetMD]

Hello Dear,

For mid shaft clavicle fractures,a new intramedullary fixation technique  permits normal alignment and restoration of length of the clavicle with an early return to work . The risks of surgery, including non-union and infection, are still present; however, for people who are concerned about optimal anatomic alignment and healing, this technique has served these patients well
Surgical intervention can allow the patient to:regain length,regain stability. ,return to work. surgical fixation  promotes proper healing by preventing:overlap between the fractured bone and development of a fibrous non-union.
The sideeffects of surgery could be higher infection rate estimated at less than 1%, potential hardware complications or failure, skin incisions non-union risks,surgical regional block risks.You should consult an orthopedic doctor and discuss with him regarding more clarifications.You can refer http://www.stoneclinic.com/clavicle_fracture_repair.htm.
Best