Clavicle Error - Broken Collarbone

Only 7 screws! You are lucky! I hope you get the plate removed, and so I wish.
I got 9 screwed in weird angles and quite a long plate.
Stupid as I am, I did not go for a rehab, but exercise on my own (very bad thing) - shoulder is a bit numb and I hate if someone touches it by accident, but I also did not have problems with weight lifting, exercising and overall arm mobility.
I can predict oncoming weather from the feel of the arm, too! :)

Soon I will have my final checkup, where we'll discuss removing the plate. My shoulder is OK. Not as subtle or as strong yet as it used to be, but it's good enough. I have no problems on the bike, but sleeping on my left side is painful unless my arm is placed behind my back - which isn't ideal!

I wonder if having the plate removed will improve things further. I really don't want another op unless there's a significant gain. Anyone had a plate removed?

Yes.

I was unable to sleep on my left side with the plate in, as the screws were incredibly uncomfortable.

You should only be out of action until the would heals over (unless you're happy with the wound macerating and leaving a messy scar).

I had my plate removed about 3 weeks ago, even though my shoulder was feeling fine with the plate in. It was pretty swollen and bruised right after the op, but I could move my arm fully after about a week.

It is nice to be fully human and not have to worry about screwing my shoulder up if I fall on the plated side. Other than that, it doesn't feel different to before, but seeing as I was sleeping fine on that side beforehand it's not saying much...

I snapped my clavicle (very, very) badly last October (28.10.14) going over my bars and hitting the deck. The doc said it was in 5/6 pieces and almost inoperable

I've now got a rather long plate with around 10 (don't know exact number) screws holding it all together

Can sleep on that side (left), although it's far more comfortable on my right. At the time I didn't really consider physiotherapy or any equivalent, as I've always been of the perhaps naive belief that these things will just "fix themselves" over time. Since then my cycling has gotten a bit more serious, but is it too late now to do anything to ensure I won't face future problems? I was under the impression the plate has to be there for the rest of my life as well

I was probably way too macho about the situation, and was cycling again prior to Christmas when told I shouldn't until Feb

^^^^ I had the same problem sleeping like that and it improved after I had my plate out (in late Feb). It took a while, but things slowly improved.

If you're offered extra physio after it's taken out, I'd take it. Ask for some if not. It's only with extra massages and stretching exercises that the muscles are feeling normal.

^ I found most of my problems seemed to be down to bruising and muscle pain. I had that attitude after my plate was taken out, that things would just fix, but the extra physio has been a great help. I broke mine pretty much when you did so it's not too late.

Interesting replies, thankyou. I had wondered if the screws might cause the problem as they appear to pass right through the bone (why aren't they shorter) and into meat behind!

It does seem there's benefit having the op. I'll ask if physio can help first which has previously been denied.

My solicitor's just emailed to say the orthopadic consultant says my clavicle fracture of April last year has resulted in a non-union and will she go ahead and make the arrangements for me to have surgery? :(

So you've been going around with a broken collarbone for 14 months?

And using a solicitor as a surgeon?

Apparently so; and they make all the arrangements via an independent medical provider. Sorry for the boring answer.

Don't take this the wrong way, but why the fuck would you leave your medical care in the hands of someone not qualified to provide that care?

You may as well have followed advice from Scoble or DFP.

The solicitor's only reporting what a qualified doctor has said, surely?

I went for a private medical arranged by my solicitor as part of the insurance claim.

Yeah - maybe this isn't clear. The solicitor is just relaying to me what the orthopaedic consultant has reported to her after seeing my MRI & x-rays.

He recommended the surgery. I'll get to see another consultant beforehand. I think this is pretty standard practice? Plus, the solicitor's a forumenger, so I'm getting the best of both worlds...

Still - I would expect the consultant to inform you or your GP, rather than relying on an untrained person to pass on medical information.

The fact that it's an insurance claim muddies the water though - It removes the focus from achieving an optimal functional outcome.

^ Not a lawyer, not a doctor.

Does sound odd when put that way but as the insurance co is the client I guess it is them the private med co. report to. What Antlers is getting is more a heads up that he'll be going to see the docs again soon, rather than actually being given medical advice by the solicitor.

http://road.cc/content/news/121104-police-hunt-rider-team-sky-kit-who-assaulted-fellow-cyclist-lancashire

Presumably this is a vision of the wonderful medical system we will all be using once the tories have dismantled the NHS.

http://road.cc/content/news/121104-police-hunt-rider-team-sky-kit-who-assaulted-fellow-cyclist-lancashire

Needles and haystacks if they start looking in Richmond Park.

Antlers - does it hurt? Any issues with movement or range of movement?

Range of movement: yes, I'm not as yoga as I used to be. The arm in question can't support my weight either. Sleeping on it makes it ache. Carrying shopping bags, rucksacks all result in marked increase in soreness. The cold weather doesn't help, when it rolls round.

Strong work Luffgussers

Presumably this is a vision of the wonderful medical system we will all be using once the tories have dismantled the NHS.

"Once"?!
Its happened already.

Strong work Luffgussers

Excellent!