ORIF Medial Clavicle anyone else?

ORIF Medial Clavicle anyone else?

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Discussion

Joscal

Original Poster:

2,223 posts

207 months

Saturday 9th July 2022
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Had the pleasure of this op after a nasty accident and it’s still sore. I’m three months in and was wondering if anyone has been through the same?

I’m told it’s anything from three months to a year to hopefully make a full recovery which is entirely believable at the moment as I’m very limited still due to the pain. I’m attending and doing physio and have a 3rd follow up X-ray end July. I was initially mis diagnosed so had the op a year after the accident which I’m sure hasn’t helped.

Any pointers gratefully received as the discharge and after care have been minimal.


The_Doc

5,129 posts

227 months

Wednesday 13th July 2022
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Joscal, I'm a trauma surgeon and I've resisted chiming in on your query because it's quite unusual and specific.

You need to get detailed answers from your surgeon, that's his/her job. Not just doing the fixing, but the aftercare and questions

Medial clavicle and operated at a year is very unusual, but not crazy, and even normal clavicle post op people won't have an answer to your questions
And I can't help you over the Internet, it's impossible sorry.

hajaba123

1,310 posts

182 months

Wednesday 13th July 2022
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I've had the same one done twice, like the doc says, just because mine or anyone else's is fine doesn't mean yours will be exactly the same. Speak to your surgeon, ask direct, detailed questions and make sure you get detailed answers about what you need to be doing and what, if anything they suggest over and above that

ps hate collarbones, broke mine 4 times so far

Joscal

Original Poster:

2,223 posts

207 months

Wednesday 13th July 2022
quotequote all
Thanks TheDoc. Appreciate you replying, I’m sure you’re extremely busy my experience has been an eye opener to say the least!

I think I got caught up in the fallout during and after covid. My local hospital was and still is struggling to cope and I understand my surgeon should be answering my questions but he just isn’t I’ve tried contacting his secretary on numerous occasions.

I was at the NHS physio today and he has the same problems so I just have to accept it! I don’t think it’s an understatement to say local hospitals are in crisis due to the backlog.

How anyone works under such pressures is beyond me and I have so much respect for everyone at ground level in the NHS.

Thanks again, I posted the message whilst in serious pain looking for some reassurance but thankfully it’s eased now. I’d obviously pushed myself too far!

Edited by Joscal on Thursday 14th July 10:18

Joscal

Original Poster:

2,223 posts

207 months

Wednesday 13th July 2022
quotequote all
hajaba123 said:
I've had the same one done twice, like the doc says, just because mine or anyone else's is fine doesn't mean yours will be exactly the same. Speak to your surgeon, ask direct, detailed questions and make sure you get detailed answers about what you need to be doing and what, if anything they suggest over and above that

ps hate collarbones, broke mine 4 times so far
4 times… Don’t envy you!

Thanks for the advice, appreciate it!

ian in lancs

3,821 posts

205 months

Thursday 14th July 2022
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Broke my left collarbone running a year ago. It wasn't surgically repaired just left to fuse. I strictly stuck to the physio's exercise routine but had/still have pain/discomfort walking and cycling. Running is OK. I'm tensing my shoulder up; maybe the rhythm of running is helping. I went back to the orthopaedic surgeon at the fracture clinic and the summary was it is structurally sound but it takes a long time for the shoulder to adjust/heal. Great!

Joscal

Original Poster:

2,223 posts

207 months

Sunday 18th September 2022
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I’d forgotten about this! Hope you’re recovering well Ian.

I’m 5 months in and am getting more movement and the pain definitely isn’t quite as bad.

Didn’t get to see my consultant at the last X-ray he was too busy as there was an emergency. After waiting for two hours I was called in and got an apology by someone junior who said he’d looked at the X-ray and it was healing well.

I asked about the pain and was told it’s normal and will hopefully ease within a year or so.

These things just take time!


ian in lancs

3,821 posts

205 months

Sunday 18th September 2022
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I continue to recover thanks. I hope you do too.

15 mths in - running OK but lost some speed due to gaps in training, cycling . driving OK but get fatigue from lost arm strength and walking is OK now. i'm hitting the gym and home weights / exercises to build up strength and resilience.

yup! a long road!

Joscal

Original Poster:

2,223 posts

207 months

Monday 19th September 2022
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Good man Ian.