Plated collar bones - post op pain?

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Plated collar bones - post op pain?

10 posts & 6 voices | Started 2 years ago by geetee1972 | Latest reply from tomcrow99

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geetee1972 - Member

I imagine that like me, there are a fair few of us with metal work in their collar bones. I had mine plated after a triple break, just over two years ago.

It healed fine and since then I've been 100% and the metal work is still in place.

Just recently my shoulder has become really painful, especially at night when it's immobilised. The pain is in the whole shoulder and extends down the side lateral muscle. Six months ago we had our first child and since then I've been doing a lot of lifting of the little tyke - not like he's heavy or anything so that might have set it off.

My question is have the others of you with the same metal work experienced a similar problem and if so what happened about it?

Posted 2 years ago #
NikNak7890 - Member

I had a very localised pain about 9 months after having mine plated. It turned out to be the screws starting to pull out of the bone. We then elected to remove the plate and screws, as they'd done their job of scaffolding.
I would go see you Dr and asked to be refered for an xray to see what's going on.

Posted 2 years ago #
nonk - Member

no metal work in mine but it's been snapped twice both breaks over ten years ago.
it has allways given me greif in the winter.

Posted 2 years ago #
geetee1972 - Member

NikNak - how long was the recovery after having the pins/plates out?

Posted 2 years ago #
jimbobrighton - Member

yeah, I'd say it's worth getting the metalwork out if you can. I got all the metal out of mine after a year. while it was always supposed to come out (a hook plate, so I couldn't lift my arm above my head for a year due the the size/shape of the plate) I felt like a new man when I woke up after the op.

1.5 years on, and my shoulder still gives me grief in the cold, though more like a dull ache in the mornings/in bed.

sounds like something could be coming loose*, so got to see doc I'd say

*I have no qualifications whatsoever, so please give my advice the same credence you would to a five year old.

Posted 2 years ago #
jimbobrighton - Member

geetee1972 - Member
NikNak - how long was the recovery after having the pins/plates out?

I'll answer that. virtually zero. I could have happily ridden my bike the day I came home from hospital (and it was only a day case anyway)

Wound sealed up in a couple of weeks. Though I kep having bits of the supposedly self dissolving stitching work it's way out of the following 3 months.

Posted 2 years ago #
tomcrow99 - Member

Hmmm... interesting.
I had mine plated after smashing it to pieces 9 months ago. I don't get any general pain from mine even in the cold but it does gets sore carrying rucksacks, baby carriers, kayaks etc though so was considering getting it taken out.
I'm worried that the bone won't be strong enough though, though I guess thats something you won't know till you take another hit.
How long did your recovery after getting it taken out take? Was it just a case of letting thje wound heal?

Edit: posts crossed with the one above...

Posted 2 years ago #
monkeyfiend - Member

2.5 years after op, plate still in (cant tell if aches are due to other injuries but nothing bad anyway) took a BIG blow to my shoulder and elbow 3 montha ago and it held well. No one has given me the option of having the plate out, I did have to get my left nut peirced to get the weight distribution right though.

Posted 2 years ago #
NikNak7890 - Member

I went back to work in November, and have started riding (with a courier bag) daily last week.

I was told that the bone should be as strong as the other within a week of the surgery, but it was still very uncomfortable trying to carry a bag across it.

Take it easy now, and get the proper advice, you'll know when it feels right to use it in anger.

Edit: TomCrow, I had similar feelings with the plate in, wearing a rucksack would trap the skin betwen it and the plate.
The plate is only there to provide scaffolding to allow the bone to reconnect and heal. Once that's happened it's surplus to requirements, as the healed break will actually be stronger than the rest of the bone.

Posted 2 years ago #
tomcrow99 - Member

Cheers, thats useful to know. I have a 12 month follow uo in May so will make the call then. The think that really puts me off is the general aneasthetic, I really didn't get on well with it after wards, I guess it's not something they'll want to do under a local!

Thanks

Posted 2 years ago #

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