| What is usually involved? |
A sling is used for comfort for about 2 weeks.
Ice and ibuprofen or acetaminophen might help you be more comfortable.
Once the fracture heals, movement of the shoulder returns without much effort.
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You are given general anesthesia (you sleep).
A cut is made over the clavicle, the bone is lined up, and metal implants hold it in position.
Once the fracture heals, movement of the shoulder returns without much effort.
The plate and screws may be removed 6 months later at another surgery.
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| What are the results? |
After two weeks, shoulder movement is allowed. After three to four months, normal activity can be resumed.
There may be a permanent bump at the fracture site.
In 33 out of 100 people with a fracture that is out of place, the bone doesn’t heal. But they are still able to use their arm reasonably well.
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If the fixation is secure, it might be possible to start moving the shoulder right away.
After three to four months, normal activity can be resumed.
The metal implants can often be seen or felt.
In 2 out of 100 people, the bone will not heal and additional surgery might be needed.
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| What are the benefits? |
Avoid the risks, discomforts, and inconveniences of surgery.
Patients that are bothered by a fracture that didn’t heal or healed out of place can consider surgery later.
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For fractures that are out of position, surgery reduces the chance that the bone won’t heal.
The alignment of the shoulder might be better after surgery.
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| What are the risks and limitations? |
It takes a few more weeks to comfortably move your shoulder.
In 33 out of 100 people, the bone will not heal. They can still use their arm reasonable well. Some choose surgery later on.
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As with every surgery, there are small risks of infection, wound problems, bleeding, stiffness, nerve injury, problems related to the metal implants, lung injury, and anesthetic problems.This happens to about 22 out of a 100 people.
Some people find the scar, the prominence of the metal, or numbness around the scar bothersome. Some of them have additional surgery.
Surgery doesn’t guarantee that the bone will heal in a good position.
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