Had a bit of a bad landing a little while back and did my collarbone (and made a mess of my face). I persuaded the docs to plate it and it was finally done 3 weeks after the crash (2 weeks back from today).
Now I'm wondering whether I need to start thinking about having it removed in future as there seem to be some horror stories about what happens if you crash with a plated clavicle. I'm thinking I should have a view on this before my final x-ray/sign off check (on NYE).
Are people on here riding with plates in or getting them removed?
UK hospitals sensibly avoid surgery as much as possible - I had to press to get mine plated and given it was still really uncomfortable and moving after 3 weeks I'm glad I did. I'm sure I'll have to make a good case if I want it out in future.
I'm still riding with a plate fitted.
Had some crashes on it too and so far it's been OK.
I may be wrong but in my mind it's stronger now than it was without a plate.
That and i have no desire to have any more surgery unless i need it.
well at least they plated you (guys)
FFS can free member not even post picture now?
My first plate was similar kind of size to yours, maybe a little shorter.
I crashed on it 4 years later and it held together fine.
Unfortunately the bone broke at the less protected end instead, so now I have a longer plate.
Can't say I look forward to falling on it again given my 100% crash to break success rate, hoping they went a bit heavier duty on the fix last time being a return visit.
Had mine done years ago after a year of faffing about.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/PkUrFRSDRpnm8MmSA
even despite that stupid screw its still going well 12 years later. Its staying there now.
I may be wrong but in my mind it's stronger now than it was without a plate.
I believe you are. I understand that plating creates stress risers.
I crashed on it 4 years later and it held together fine.
Unfortunately the bone broke at the less protected end instead, so now I have a longer plate.
As happened in this case.
OP, I'm pretty sure that lifestyle circumstances likely necessitating the removal of a plate are a relative contraindication to doing the operation in the first place...
IE, if you know it's likely to have to be taken out, then it's not a good idea to put one in in the first place, unless absolutely necessary.
I may be wrong but in my mind it's stronger now than it was without a plate.
Maybe do the other side as well?
Can't say I look forward to falling on it again given my 100% crash to break success rate, hoping they went a bit heavier duty on the fix last time being a return visit.
How do you know? I've crashed a load of times over the years and this is the first time I've done it. The risk as I've read it is that the collarbone is a bit of a sacrificial bone - if you hit it hard enough to brake it once its' plated it could shatter into lots of bits, or break at the end of the plate (rather than as normal in the middle) both of which are much more difficult repairs.
OP, I'm pretty sure that lifestyle circumstances likely necessitating the removal of a plate are a relative contraindication to doing the operation in the first place...
IE, if you know it's likely to have to be taken out, then it's not a good idea to put one in in the first place, unless absolutely necessary.
Although part of the argument for plating it is your body ends up the right shape. If you let it heal naturally it will usually end up effectively shorter than it was, which can lead to shoulder issues if you're an active person.
https://www.stoneclinic.com/blog/Broken-Clavicles-ignore-pin-or-plate
I'm self employed as well and not working so the 15% chance of it not healing for months and then having surgery wasn't great which is part of what pushed me towards it.
Pro cyclists seem to have them plated routinely as it gets you back training quickly, but then they're also at high risk of another break.
I've had a plate and 8 screws in mine for almost 26 years!
It was supposed to be removed after 6 months but there was a change of policy in that time... so in it stayed. I've fallen/crashed on it loads of times; it sometimes aches a bit but still seems ok!
Riding mate of mine had one side plated, and had to have it removed. Can't quite remember the circumstances, but it wasn't elective. It did heal naturally after that, just doubled the healing time (12 weeks with plate, another 12 without).
He - like me - did his other one last Spring. It's not gone perfectly this time either and he's still waiting for final sign off. He is riding again, but trying very hard not to crash 😉 Also he gets a lot more aches than I do (mine only really aches now after 3 hours+ on the bike especially if doing a lot of fire-road so not much shoulder movement). Sample size of 1 etc, so everyone's experience appears to be different.
I really wanted to get mine plated as I didn't think it'd heal naturally and it does look like I'm growing a second nose where the break healed, but I'm glad I didn't. It wasn't an option offered anyway. I don't really worry about crashing on it now, I've done loads of rehab and latterly some gym work to strengthen up all the muscles around there so I think I'm probably better off bow. Still would rather not have done it obv...
I've done both of mine and neither were plated - both are ugly and the right one is now a lot shorter and is giving me quite a lot of related pain after a snowboarding crash - I'd rather have been plated and not removed than what I've got.
I had mine plated when it was still well separated after 4 months. My surgeon recommended having the plate removed after a year as, given my activities, I was likely to clobber it again and it would be better if I didn't have a plate in when I did that. Of course, he might just have wanted the business, but I did have it removed.
Duplicate post
Only concern for me 10 years ago was whether it might cause issues carrying a rucksack when walking / mountaineering. Consultant said they would remove it if it was causing discomfort, it's still there.
Pro cyclists seem to have them plated routinely as it gets you back training quickly, but then they're also at high risk of another break.
Pro athletes have different priorities than amateurs, and contrary to popular opinion, their treatment isn’t always gold standard.
Did my right collarbone 6 years ago…healed naturally with no real issues. Made a proper mess of my left one at the Golfie in June this year. Plated and screwed 3 weeks later - I wanted this to happen as it was so misaligned I was sure it wouldn’t heal without help. I’ve got good mobility now and tentatively back out MTBing after a few months of roadie bikes. I worry about the consequences of an off as I don’t really know how it’ll hold up. I can def feel the cold in that area as the metal feels like a conductor for the cold, and the whole area itself feels ‘weird’ in a touch/nerves/feeling way. Told I can have the screws removed after 6 months IIRC but no mention of the plate itself. No desire to be open up again, even just for the screws!
I’m in the same boat as you really - I had my broken collarbone plated in Late July as I’d done a month with no progress on leaving it to heal naturally. It was still moving and causing discomfort and the ends of the bones were 1.5cm apart and one was sticking up and making muscle above it uncomfortable.
My initial thought was I’d let it heal then have the plate removed, but I’ve heard differing things about what is best to do and it feels like there isn’t a one size fits all approach.
The plate isn’t really causing me any discomfort - just you’re aware it’s there and my shoulder still feel stiff on a morning. I’m doing lots of stretching and back weight training and it’s improving bit by bit.
Ive heard of a few people who had the plate out, left it a period of time to heal but have still broken the collarbone again through where the screws went. Equally if you have a big crash and break the collarbone at either end of the plate that’s “messy” too according to the consultant.
I’m thinking I’m probably going to leave mine in if it stays settled down like it is now.
I've broken both mine, one of them twice. I suspect I'm better at flying (or strictly speaking, crashing) than I am riding...
2x natural healing. One misaligned and pointy but no other issues. The other 'mended' naturally then popped again 12 months later after a casual lie down in the grass.
I had the second break plated. It's still in and I wouldn't have it taken out unless dire circumstances dictated. 1. It takes a very long time for all the nerves etc to rejoin and get full feeling back in that area and 2. I had a post op DVT in the affected arm and I see no reason to take that risk again unless there is a very compelling reason to do so.
As above, I was concerned about rucksacks etc but it doesn't cause any grief. The only limitation is, I can't sleep on my front. I've crashed (occasionally heavily) since with no issues in that area. I did get some more bonus Ti on one occasion but in the neck and that really hurt...
I'd leave it alone unless it's really, really causing aggro.