All surgery poses risk and should be used as a last resort.
Weighing up surgery against a bad natural outcome has led to a surge in surgical procedures with the idea that surgery is best.
PLATING SURGERY
A collarbone shaped piece of metal is fixed over the broken bone and is held in place with up to nine screws.
It takes six months for the screws to consolidate and a further year to heal solidly enough to go back to high impact sports.
OTHER FACTORS TO CONSIDER
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Not all plating surgery is successful
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You will have a scar
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Rejection of metal-ware
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Screws may loosen causing the plate to fail
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The area of plating can be left numb
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It takes a full year, from initial plating surgery, to heal and a further year if you decide to have the plate removed
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A recent American study has shown that after shoulder surgery, the brain can disconnect from that area, causing the shoulder to malfunction
THE PROCEDURE TO REMOVE A COLLARBONE [CLAVICLE] PLATE TAKES AROUND 35 MINUTES UNDER GENERAL ANSAESTHETIC.
After the plate has been removed the screw holes need time to fill-in. Those holes are lined up and can re-fracture like a zipper opening making the collarbone highly unstable for 6-8 weeks.
It takes a good six months for the collarbone to heal properly and during this time, raising your arm above your head or lifting should be avoided. There are no guides on a safe lifting weight and much depends on individual circumstances.
It takes a full year to heal completely and it is important during this time, not to fall or knock that shoulder.
There are mixed opinions about removing a plate. The simple rule is, if you want to return to high-impact sports activities, have it removed.
RISKS OF REMOVAL
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The bone re-breaks easily along the line of screw holes causing the bone to arch upwards forming a protrusion just under the skin
RISKS OF KEEPING THE PLATE IN
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With impact, the collarbone breaks beyond the plate causing a more serious and difficult-to-treat fracture than the original
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Future impact could send the metal plate into the neck
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Straps rub at the area of the plate
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Some feel the shoulder constantly cold
Choosing ClaviBrace®, removes surgical plating risks without compromising on best outcome. Healing time is faster and bone union stronger.