Broken Collar Bone Op

[Jon P]

Hi
Bust my collar bone last May, did not break the bone but tore it away from where it connects to top of arm, anyway it has not meant, Surgeon has advised removing the end of the collar bone to stop it banging together, as it does slip out of place and I have to manoeuvre arm to put it back in line. Any one else had this done ? Personally I don’t like the sound of it .

 

[Len the dog]

Just a messy break in the middle with a chunk floating loose for me.




They wanted to leave mine as it was but it wouldn’t have been strong enough in my job so I insisted that it was fixed, trouble is they used self locking screws instead of countersunk so I can feel the screwheads just beneath the skin.

 

[Len the dog]

Can they not reattach the ligaments like they would with a cruciate?

 

[Jon P]

Can they not reattach the ligaments like they would with a cruciate?

The only option they are giving at present is removal of end of bone . I guessing it is cartilage type structure that should fix it in place, they class this as a grade 2 dislocation, had to be a grade 3 for them to operate when it happened.

 

[Jon P]

View attachment 339896

Just a messy break in the middle with a chunk floating loose for me.


View attachment 339897

They wanted to leave mine as it was but it wouldn’t have been strong enough in my job so I insisted that it was fixed, trouble is they used self locking screws instead of countersunk so I can feel the screwheads just beneath the skin.

Look like wood screws

 

[ZimCoxy136]

Hi
Bust my collar bone last May, did not break the bone but tore it away from where it connects to top of arm, anyway it has not meant, Surgeon has advised removing the end of the collar bone to stop it banging together, as it does slip out of place and I have to manoeuvre arm to put it back in line. Any one else had this done ? Personally I don’t like the sound of it .

Looks like a grade 3 AC joint separation? I did the same amongst other damage playing rugby a few years ago. My surgeon never mentioned having the end of my collarbone removed though. Can’t comment on the ac joint repair itself, as at the same time I also had a labrum tear repair, shoulder stabilisation, and subacromial decompression… would not wish the pain on my worst enemy!!

 

[Dunwaters]

Get another opinion, there’s rarely just one right answer.

 

[User00047]

Look like wood screws

Look like Timco 35mm collated drywall screws

 

[tozzybum]

I decided to leave my bike at around 75mph ( blow out) and landed on my hands rolling.
I heard and felt the collar bone snap along with 2 fingers .
Took months to heal eventually but even now I " favour " my left arm as it can be stiff in the cold / damp.
My pal Dave copied me later that year but being 10 years older had 3x operations before it set.
Like others have shown much plasterboard screws but old bones don't always mend very well.
Good luck whatever they do

 

[Andyquadra]

trouble is they used self locking screws instead of countersunk so I can feel the screwheads just beneath the skin.

I've got a leatherman and 9"grinder, wont take long.....

 

[Len the dog]

I've got a leatherman and 9"grinder, wont take long.....

Apart from them aching in the cold because they are so close to the surface, I can’t wear a shoulder strap or seatbelt over my left shoulder. I have spent over 40 years carrying a gamebag on my right side and you would not believe how difficult it is to train yourself to suddenly start carrying it on the other side.

 

[Len the dog]

The only option they are giving at present is removal of end of bone . I guessing it is cartilage type structure that should fix it in place, they class this as a grade 2 dislocation, had to be a grade 3 for them to operate when it happened.

My surgeon was happy to let the bones fuse into some kind of cross shape, I told him that to do my job which involves climbing scaffolding and carrying, sometimes heavy, survey equipment and also using occasional hand tools, it simply wouldn’t be strong enough. He then agreed that it should be done and I was in a month after leaving hospital to get it done.
The hardest thing to do was to push using my left arm using even moderate force, such as using a spanner. Pulling didn’t affect it so I had to swap arms or change position. Four years later it is nearly back to how it was beforehand but will probably never be 100%.

Using the argument that not getting it done would hamper me in earning a living quickly changed their mind, may be worth a try.

 

[Rasputin]

Looks like a grade 3 AC joint separation? I did the same amongst other damage playing rugby a few years ago. My surgeon never mentioned having the end of my collarbone removed though. Can’t comment on the ac joint repair itself, as at the same time I also had a labrum tear repair, shoulder stabilisation, and subacromial decompression… would not wish the pain on my worst enemy!!

Snap no pun intended.

OP for what’s it’s worth I would see a private specialist option before letting some nhs butcher have a go (speaking from experience). If nothing else you can have assurance it the right course of action.

 

[potshotpat]

Snap no pun intended.

OP for what’s it’s worth I would see a private specialist option before letting some nhs butcher have a go (speaking from experience). If nothing else you can have assurance it the right course of action.

Qualified Butchers have to sell their mistakes, NHS Butchers bury theirs.

 

[Bowland blades]

I would find the best man at this and pay for his thoughts on the matter . If your an older guy or make your living with your hands even more so
Surgeons are like any other trade there are poor , good, better and best at fixing stuff.

 

[jordash]

Hi
Bust my collar bone last May, did not break the bone but tore it away from where it connects to top of arm, anyway it has not meant, Surgeon has advised removing the end of the collar bone to stop it banging together, as it does slip out of place and I have to manoeuvre arm to put it back in line. Any one else had this done ? Personally I don’t like the sound of it .

Jon, so you have a Acromio Clavicular joint subluxation. Looks like a grade 2 but would ideally look at at least one other x-Ray view. It sound like you are have it mice in and out of joint. One option is to excise (cut the end off) this will likely stop the clunking symptoms. Another option is a reconstruction of the ligaments that hold it down and in place. Another possibility is a plate which hooks under the outer bit of the shoulder to hold it down until it heals (this would need removing once the ACJ scars up). The various merits and disadvantages of these options are best discussed with your surgeon. And a large variety of factors including your medical issues, age and activities as well as your symptoms will all play into the options. I would suggest going back to speak to the surgeon and telling them your concerns. Alternatively you could ask to see another upper limb surgeon in the nhs.
There are some comments above suggesting the private sector is much better than the nhs. Whilst you might get seen sooner and operated sooner the operations are unlikely to be of a significantly better quality. The surgeon you see privately will almost certainly also work in the NHS. If you have the resources and would like to then happily go private, but you shouldn’t feel you need to!
Just the thoughts of an NHS orthopaedic surgeon (not upper limb specialist).

 

[Jon P]

Jon, so you have a Acromio Clavicular joint subluxation. Looks like a grade 2 but would ideally look at at least one other x-Ray view. It sound like you are have it mice in and out of joint. One option is to excise (cut the end off) this will likely stop the clunking symptoms. Another option is a reconstruction of the ligaments that hold it down and in place. Another possibility is a plate which hooks under the outer bit of the shoulder to hold it down until it heals (this would need removing once the ACJ scars up). The various merits and disadvantages of these options are best discussed with your surgeon. And a large variety of factors including your medical issues, age and activities as well as your symptoms will all play into the options. I would suggest going back to speak to the surgeon and telling them your concerns. Alternatively you could ask to see another upper limb surgeon in the nhs.
There are some comments above suggesting the private sector is much better than the nhs. Whilst you might get seen sooner and operated sooner the operations are unlikely to be of a significantly better quality. The surgeon you see privately will almost certainly also work in the NHS. If you have the resources and would like to then happily go private, but you shouldn’t feel you need to!
Just the thoughts of an NHS orthopaedic surgeon (not upper limb specialist).

Thank you , the NHS surgeon I have seen recently worked on the mother in law and replaced her knee. She has recovered a lot better and quicker than another friend of mine who had the same knee op going private and 14 days earlier. I will definitely ask for a second opinion before I went ahead with it. For clarification I am 53. Fairly fit still riding horses and stalking at least once a week ( not at the same time ).