Son's Broken Collarbone

[kimberley rider]

freshly done on the weekend, off to see the specialists. do you think we can manipulate that back into place and then immobilise. healthy 21 year old

 

[dfesmire99]

That's gonna need some expert class attention!! Get well soon!![emoji469][emoji469][emoji631][emoji631]

[DrMark]

It can be reduced but it will pop right up. I can reliably get it perfect with an anterior plate and screws.

[kimberley rider]

Thanks Dr Mark. I am in Australia we are going to try and get them close or surgery will our option

[joe 400]

Was he chasing brumbies or cattle ? I spent a few years in the Kimberley as a horse back ringer. " Harsh ".

[Wallowa]

Man you guys are tough!  Three pieces and you want to "reduce" it?  Your reduce dislocations; putting those puzzle pieces together is a whole different ball game...surprised the radiologist didn't nix your 'manipulate it back together idea'...get your son to a good surgeon.

Remember also that the subclavian [sp?] artery is just under that break and to sever it is very bad!

 

Good luck...Phil

Edited August 27, 2018 by Wallowa

[sbest]

I broke mine about 10 years ago at 49. Didn't look as bad as that. Doctor manipulated it straight as he could, but every morning I'd wake up with it crooked. At the risk of not healing, I'd straighten it and be good for the day. Next morning it would be crooked again. By morning 4 it wouldn't straighten so it remains crooked. I do get some pains in it on occasion from some types of use. I wish it had been plated. There are very real dangers of fatal coronary and pulmonary thrombosis doing this as well. One of my kid's teachers constantly moved a lower leg fracture and ended up losing the leg. Your son has a long life ahead, see a specialist. 

[ThumpaGreg]

G'day K.

I'm in Australia too, and I am a doctor as well (like Dr. Mark). I'm sorry to say it but he is absolutely correct: that will need surgery with the clavicle fixed with plates and screws. Those fractures and the degree of displacement of the bones mean that there is NO way they can be reduced and stay in place. I'm afraid he is going to be off the bike for at least a couple of months.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news!

[yz dude]

good job, if your gonna break something, break it good!!

i broke mine about 9yrs ago, 2 breaks on the same side.  Doc wanted to plate & pin but i didn't have ins at the time sooo, wore a brace and tried to be gentle with it.  it looks and feels bad now, don't really notice any pain or discomfort from it.

being that your son is only 21, i'd make sure he goes under the knife to have it repair correctly!!!!

[bnsixx]

I broke mine too, about 20 years ago... Also failed to keep it in place, things kept moving because I couldn't keep still. Ended up getting a plate and 6 screws, been riding ever since. Hope he heals fast!

[krglorioso]

Yes, that is a considerable "displacement" of the two halves and likely will require internal fixation.  Had same fracture when I was 12, healed fine.  It is said of young people, "If you put their broken bones in the same room, they'll heal".  I hope your son has the same outcome.

[tommywatson]

Should be able to get it done in Perth, this is mine from 6 weeks ago, came off a dirt bike, I'm in my early 40's, still got a way to go until I can use it at full strength, PM me if you want my surgeons contacts.

 

[kgish475]

freshly done on the weekend, off to see the specialists. do you think we can manipulate that back into place and then immobilise. healthy 21 year old
 

Hey man I might be able to shed some light on this.
Broke mine September of 2016 when I was 20. No way in hell I was going to leave it sticking up like that so I went with a plate and screws. Let it heal for 3 months and I’ve been good ever since.
I do have a numb spot right below the bone about the side of a fist because there’s some tiny nerves that run over the top of the bone. Not a big deal and mother bothers me but still wanna let you know.
The last picture is current. The bone rarely bothers me and if it does it’s just a slight aching. Never regretted the surgery.
Good luck,
Kennedy

[zig06]

Yup, your gonna need some hardware to fix that one.

Or you could just play it off...

[ss-racing66]

I'm no doctor, but it looks worse than mine did when I broke it,  they plated it after 12 weeks (it was still broken) and it healed up nice,  then removed the plate 12 months later,  The bone will be stronger without the plate eventually.   

Docs, correct me if I'm wrong ? 

[Old Fart Syndrome]

The boy needs to man up and get it fixed properly. You're in Australia and have universal health coverage so why would you not want it fixed?

[kimberley rider]

He's going under the knife in an hour. Easy decision needed to be done

[ThumpaGreg]

All the very best to him K. Make sure he is strong and doesn't get back on the bike too early: listen to the orthopaedic surgeon! He should get an excellent result as long as he does the right things.

 

[kimberley rider]

He looks thinner than he really is. Small scar

[ChaseJJ]

On ‎8‎/‎26‎/‎2018 at 10:20 PM, DrMark said:

It can be reduced but it will pop right up. I can reliably get it perfect with an anterior plate and screws.

Take it from a person who had the exact same injury 30 years ago. Get it plated. It will not heal correctly and the shorter collarbone will lead to other alignment issues.

I didn't get it plated because of being a poor college student on a marginal insurance plan.

 

PS- I guess I should read the thread through. Good job.

Edited September 12, 2018 by Chase Jiannalone