Surgery is indicated in young, active patients with severe displacement or shortening of the collarbone. Recent studies indicate that surgery is preferred over non-operative treatment if the fracture is severely displaced or the skin is broken.
- Open reduction
- Bones are realigned to their normal position
- Internal fixation
- Plates and Screws hold the realigned bones together until they can heal
- Pins and Screws are also used which has the benefits of having a small incision site. These though tend to irritate the skin and are removed once the bone has healed.
Post-treatment
After surgery there may be some numbness under where the surgical incision was made. Your may also be able to feel the plate under your skin since the clavicle is so close to the surface.
Plates and screws will be left in after surgery and after the bone heals unless for some reason it becomes uncomfortable and needs removed.
Pain can be managed usually with ice and basic non-prescription medications.
Physical Therapy or rehabilitation exercises will be prescribed to help regain motion and strengthen the shoulder.
Risks
- Difficulty with bone healing
- Injury to the lung
- Irritation from the hardware
