broken collar bone clavicle - has not healed

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Date: 05 Jan 2007 03:29:43
From:
Subject: broken collar bone clavicle - has not healed - should it be pinned

Hi,

I broke my collar bone on Aug 1st 2006 after falling off my bike (Id
only started riding a few months before just to keep fit as it was
getting boring on an exercise bike so i think it was the lack of
experience) and it hasnt joined back together, the bones overlap by
about 3/4 inch and the doc says it probably wont ever join now.

It doesnt hurt too bad day to day although if I let my arm sort of hang
down by my side rather than using my muslces to keep it supported it
hurts. When I lift weights at the gym it really aches at the time and
the next day a bit as well and it feels a bit weaker which Im pretty
sure is from the lack of support from the bone rather then from the
muscles (at least that is how it feels)

Im concerned that

1. It will never stop hurting as the muslces/tendons are being pulled
in funny ways.
2. If I fall on it again (especially from skiing which I do every year)
then it will hurt a LOT coz the bones will slide over itself as its not
fixed.

Id like to hear from anyone who had had experience of getting a plate
or pin put in there collar bone sometime after the break, eg 6-12 mths
later. basically Id like to wait a year and see how it is and if it
still hurst/aches then get it pinned/plated. But I dont want to wait
this long if its better to get it done ASAP.

Does anyone recommend just living with it like it is, bearing in mind I
like to ski and lift weights (and perhaps get back on my bike!), and am
active in general.

TIA,
Scott

Date: 05 Jan 2007 19:04:30
From: Steven Bornfeld
Subject: Re: broken collar bone clavicle - has not healed - should it be pinned

scott_doyland@johnlewis.co.uk wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I broke my collar bone on Aug 1st 2006 after falling off my bike (Id
> only started riding a few months before just to keep fit as it was
> getting boring on an exercise bike so i think it was the lack of
> experience) and it hasnt joined back together, the bones overlap by
> about 3/4 inch and the doc says it probably wont ever join now.
>
> It doesnt hurt too bad day to day although if I let my arm sort of hang
> down by my side rather than using my muslces to keep it supported it
> hurts. When I lift weights at the gym it really aches at the time and
> the next day a bit as well and it feels a bit weaker which Im pretty
> sure is from the lack of support from the bone rather then from the
> muscles (at least that is how it feels)
>
> Im concerned that
>
> 1. It will never stop hurting as the muslces/tendons are being pulled
> in funny ways.
> 2. If I fall on it again (especially from skiing which I do every year)
> then it will hurt a LOT coz the bones will slide over itself as its not
> fixed.
>
> Id like to hear from anyone who had had experience of getting a plate
> or pin put in there collar bone sometime after the break, eg 6-12 mths
> later. basically Id like to wait a year and see how it is and if it
> still hurst/aches then get it pinned/plated. But I dont want to wait
> this long if its better to get it done ASAP.
>
> Does anyone recommend just living with it like it is, bearing in mind I
> like to ski and lift weights (and perhaps get back on my bike!), and am
> active in general.
>
> TIA,
> Scott
>

Just checking here Scott--were you specifically told you had a non-union?
The reason I'm asking is that I infer from your statement that "the
bones overlap by 3/4..." that you think the broken ends should magically
align themselves end-to-end. That does not happen. I have a
significant "overlap" from my fracture, but it has healed completely.
My orthopedist advised me that my days as a swimsuit model were probably
over. The pain and soreness gradually diminished, though I must say
that my pain was probably almost all gone after 5 months, so I'm
guessing you really do have a non-union.
You really have to ask your doc for clinical advice, not rbr.

Steve

Date: 05 Jan 2007 17:45:09
From: tispectrum
Subject: Re: broken collar bone clavicle - has not healed - should it be pinned

My wife's orthopedist did not recommend pinning. He said they fail 75% of
the time.

"Steven Bornfeld" <dentaltwinmung@earthlink.net > wrote in message
news:2jxnh.7579$yx6.3182@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> scott_doyland@johnlewis.co.uk wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> I broke my collar bone on Aug 1st 2006 after falling off my bike (Id
>> only started riding a few months before just to keep fit as it was
>> getting boring on an exercise bike so i think it was the lack of
>> experience) and it hasnt joined back together, the bones overlap by
>> about 3/4 inch and the doc says it probably wont ever join now.
>>
>> It doesnt hurt too bad day to day although if I let my arm sort of hang
>> down by my side rather than using my muslces to keep it supported it
>> hurts. When I lift weights at the gym it really aches at the time and
>> the next day a bit as well and it feels a bit weaker which Im pretty
>> sure is from the lack of support from the bone rather then from the
>> muscles (at least that is how it feels)
>>
>> Im concerned that
>>
>> 1. It will never stop hurting as the muslces/tendons are being pulled
>> in funny ways.
>> 2. If I fall on it again (especially from skiing which I do every year)
>> then it will hurt a LOT coz the bones will slide over itself as its not
>> fixed.
>>
>> Id like to hear from anyone who had had experience of getting a plate
>> or pin put in there collar bone sometime after the break, eg 6-12 mths
>> later. basically Id like to wait a year and see how it is and if it
>> still hurst/aches then get it pinned/plated. But I dont want to wait
>> this long if its better to get it done ASAP.
>>
>> Does anyone recommend just living with it like it is, bearing in mind I
>> like to ski and lift weights (and perhaps get back on my bike!), and am
>> active in general.
>>
>> TIA,
>> Scott
>>
>
> Just checking here Scott--were you specifically told you had a non-union?
> The reason I'm asking is that I infer from your statement that "the bones
> overlap by 3/4..." that you think the broken ends should magically align
> themselves end-to-end. That does not happen. I have a significant
> "overlap" from my fracture, but it has healed completely. My orthopedist
> advised me that my days as a swimsuit model were probably over. The pain
> and soreness gradually diminished, though I must say that my pain was
> probably almost all gone after 5 months, so I'm guessing you really do
> have a non-union.
> You really have to ask your doc for clinical advice, not rbr.
>
> Steve

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Date: 06 Jan 2007 18:57:03
From: Mark & Steven Bornfeld
Subject: Re: broken collar bone clavicle - has not healed - should it be pinned

tispectrum wrote:

> My wife's orthopedist did not recommend pinning. He said they fail 75% of
> the time.

To state the obvious, something is wrong if a procedure fails 75% of
the time. If it's lifesaving and the only alternative that's one thing.
For something like this something is wrong with case selection.

Steve
>

--
k & Steven Bornfeld DDS
http://www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001

Date: 07 Jan 2007 19:48:54
From: Kyle Legate
Subject: Re: broken collar bone clavicle - has not healed - should it be pinned

k & Steven Bornfeld wrote:
> tispectrum wrote:
>
>> My wife's orthopedist did not recommend pinning. He said they fail
>> 75% of the time.
>
>
> To state the obvious, something is wrong if a procedure fails 75% of
> the time. If it's lifesaving and the only alternative that's one thing.
> For something like this something is wrong with case selection.
>
> Steve
>>
>
>
Or the orthopedist.

Date: 07 Jan 2007 22:10:07
From: Steven Bornfeld
Subject: Re: broken collar bone clavicle - has not healed - should it be pinned

Kyle Legate wrote:
> k & Steven Bornfeld wrote:
>> tispectrum wrote:
>>
>>> My wife's orthopedist did not recommend pinning. He said they fail
>>> 75% of the time.
>>
>>
>> To state the obvious, something is wrong if a procedure fails 75%
>> of the time. If it's lifesaving and the only alternative that's one
>> thing. For something like this something is wrong with case selection.
>>
>> Steve
>>>
>>
>>
> Or the orthopedist.

Ya.

Date: 05 Jan 2007 08:40:28
From:
Subject: Re: broken collar bone clavicle - has not healed - should it be pinned

Date: 07 Jan 2007 17:14:33
From: Phil Holman
Subject: Re: broken collar bone clavicle - has not healed - should it be pinned

<scott_doyland@johnlewis.co.uk > wrote in message
news:1168015228.843134.181850@42g2000cwt.googlegroups.com...
>
> Hell and High Water wrote:
>> In article <1167996583.352446.33070@11g2000cwr.googlegroups.com>,
>> scott_doyland@johnlewis.co.uk says...
>> > Hi,
>> >
>> > I broke my collar bone on Aug 1st 2006 after falling off my bike
>>
>>
>> Broke mine about a year before that and had a plate/screws installed.
>>
>> Healed quickly and no problems since then. Riding/lifting/whatever,
>> no
>> problems...
>>
>>
>> I'd recommend it HIGHLY.
>>
>>
>> -Bob
>
> Also was it on the NHS or private (Id like to find a good surgeon)
>
NHS doesn't extend their services to the US.

Phil H

Date: 06 Jan 2007 08:56:23
From: Hell and High Water
Subject: Re: broken collar bone clavicle - has not healed - should it be pinned

In article <1168015228.843134.181850@42g2000cwt.googlegroups.com >,
scott_doyland@johnlewis.co.uk says...
>
> Hell and High Water wrote:
> > In article <1167996583.352446.33070@11g2000cwr.googlegroups.com>,
> > scott_doyland@johnlewis.co.uk says...
> > > Hi,
> > >
> > > I broke my collar bone on Aug 1st 2006 after falling off my bike
> >
> >
> > Broke mine about a year before that and had a plate/screws installed.
> >
> > Healed quickly and no problems since then. Riding/lifting/whatever, no
> > problems...
> >
> >
> > I'd recommend it HIGHLY.
> >
> >
> > -Bob
>
> Also was it on the NHS or private (Id like to find a good surgeon)

Not sure what that means, but I assume private. It was a surgeon in Ft.
Worth Texas. Did an OUTSTANDING job.

Seriously, I literally NEVER even think about the injury, the plate,
nothing. NO problems...

-Bob

Date: 05 Jan 2007 08:39:46
From:
Subject: Re: broken collar bone clavicle - has not healed - should it be pinned

Date: 06 Jan 2007 08:55:02
From: Hell and High Water
Subject: Re: broken collar bone clavicle - has not healed - should it be pinned

In article <1168015186.778434.122210@38g2000cwa.googlegroups.com >,
scott_doyland@johnlewis.co.uk says...
>
> Hell and High Water wrote:
> > In article <1167996583.352446.33070@11g2000cwr.googlegroups.com>,
> > scott_doyland@johnlewis.co.uk says...
> > > Hi,
> > >
> > > I broke my collar bone on Aug 1st 2006 after falling off my bike
> >
> >
> > Broke mine about a year before that and had a plate/screws installed.
> >
> > Healed quickly and no problems since then. Riding/lifting/whatever, no
> > problems...
> >
> >
> > I'd recommend it HIGHLY.
> >
> >
> > -Bob
>
> Hi Bob,
>
> did you have the surgery straight after the injury or did you have it
> at a later date, ie months after?

Spent a couple days in the hospital under 'observation', then they just
sent me home.

About a week later, one of the fractured ribs punctured my lung and it
collapsed. Went IMMEDIATELY back into the hospital and they looked at
the collarbone again and thought, 'you know, that looks really bad all
bent up like that...'

So they took me in for the titanium plate job.

Only about a week after the wreck.

Not sure what would be involved after several months, but I would still
recommend talking to your doctor about it.

Best of luck whichever way you go!

-Bob

Date: 05 Jan 2007 09:44:12
From: Hell and High Water
Subject: Re: broken collar bone clavicle - has not healed - should it be pinned

In article <1167996583.352446.33070@11g2000cwr.googlegroups.com >,
scott_doyland@johnlewis.co.uk says...
> Hi,
>
> I broke my collar bone on Aug 1st 2006 after falling off my bike

Broke mine about a year before that and had a plate/screws installed.

Healed quickly and no problems since then. Riding/lifting/whatever, no
problems...

I'd recommend it HIGHLY.

-Bob

Date: 05 Jan 2007 19:11:34
From: Dan Gregory
Subject: Re: broken collar bone clavicle - has not healed - should it be pinned

Hell and High Water wrote:
> In article <1167996583.352446.33070@11g2000cwr.googlegroups.com>,
> scott_doyland@johnlewis.co.uk says...
>> Hi,
>>
>> I broke my collar bone on Aug 1st 2006 after falling off my bike
>
>
> Broke mine about a year before that and had a plate/screws installed.
>
> Healed quickly and no problems since then. Riding/lifting/whatever, no
> problems...
>
>
> I'd recommend it HIGHLY.

Don't know which crash broke mine. But I hadn't had a heavy fall for at
least five years when I returned home to the UK from the USA and showed
my father the required by US Immmigration life sized x-ray.
A nurse with many years experience he immediately asked me "When did you
break your collar bone? That was a bad fracture"
I didn't know I had, but there's still a lump there...

Date: 05 Jan 2007 06:54:49
From: Don Piven
Subject: Re: broken collar bone clavicle - has not healed - should it be pinned

scott_doyland@johnlewis.co.uk wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I broke my collar bone on Aug 1st 2006 after falling off my bike (Id
> only started riding a few months before just to keep fit as it was
> getting boring on an exercise bike so i think it was the lack of
> experience) and it hasnt joined back together, the bones overlap by
> about 3/4 inch and the doc says it probably wont ever join now.
>
> It doesnt hurt too bad day to day although if I let my arm sort of hang
> down by my side rather than using my muslces to keep it supported it
> hurts. When I lift weights at the gym it really aches at the time and
> the next day a bit as well and it feels a bit weaker which Im pretty
> sure is from the lack of support from the bone rather then from the
> muscles (at least that is how it feels)
>
> Im concerned that
>
> 1. It will never stop hurting as the muslces/tendons are being pulled
> in funny ways.
> 2. If I fall on it again (especially from skiing which I do every year)
> then it will hurt a LOT coz the bones will slide over itself as its not
> fixed.
>
> Id like to hear from anyone who had had experience of getting a plate
> or pin put in there collar bone sometime after the break, eg 6-12 mths
> later. basically Id like to wait a year and see how it is and if it
> still hurst/aches then get it pinned/plated. But I dont want to wait
> this long if its better to get it done ASAP.
>
> Does anyone recommend just living with it like it is, bearing in mind I
> like to ski and lift weights (and perhaps get back on my bike!), and am
> active in general.
>
> TIA,
> Scott
>

You need to discuss your situation with your physician and/or one or
more orthopedists -- you clearly have concerns about being able to
maintain your current level of activity, and your healthcare providers
should be addressing that. Living with the pain should not be (or
become) a viable option for you.

Don't be afraid to "shop your condition around," get opinions from a few
different doctors, and see what corrective options you have. Especially
look for orthopedists who specialize in sports medicine; they will
probably have more insight and options as to how to correct your
problems in light of your active lifestyle.

Don