| What is usually involved? |
A sling is used for comfort for about 3 to 4 weeks.
Ice and non-opioid pain relievers 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 implants are only removed if they are very bothersome and the fracture is well healed
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| What are the results? |
After one month, shoulder motion is allowed.
It’s usually clear if the fracture is going to heal within 6 weeks of injury. About 1 in 5 fractures out of position more than the width of the bone will not heal. An unhealed bone may be bothersome enough to consider surgery
Normal activity is resumed 3 months after injury. Full recovery takes 1 year.
There may be a permanent bump over the fracture site. A small number of people have greater shoulder deformity
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If the fixation is secure, it might be possible to start moving the shoulder right away.
Normal activity is usually resumed 3 months after injury. Full recovery takes 1 year.
The scar over the clavicle is often quite noticeable.
The metal implants can often be seen or felt. The implants are not routinely removed. Removal must await secure healing of the bone.
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| What are the benefits? |
Avoid the risks, discomforts, and inconveniences of surgery.
Healing and good shoulder function is the rule.
Patients that are bothered by a fracture that didn’t heal or healed with deformity can consider surgery later.
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For fractures out of position more than the width of the bone, 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.
About 1 in 5 fractures out of position more than the width of the bone won’t heal. Many patients find an unhealed fracture bothersome and request surgery.
Even when the fracture heals, some patients are sufficiently bothered by deformity to request surgery to realign the bone.
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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.
Some people find the scar, the prominence of the metal, or numbness around the scar bothersome.
Surgery doesn’t guarantee that the bone will heal in a good position.
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