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Has anyone had theirs taken out?
I've had a spate of people asking me when I'm having my clavicle plate taken ou (I've had it in over a year now). They aren't doctors, just people assuming it's supposed to come or at some point. I normally just laugh it off and say that it's in there for good....
...Until I actually ask my junior doctor friend (he's not in orthopaedics), he told me 'ooh I'd try your best not to try to break that again'. The plate I have covers pretty much all of the bone, so I can't see the centre of it exactly having much play should I have a nasty crash, its just going to break at either end, near the joints. Messy eh?
I also know of a situation where someone's been told not to ride for 9 months whilst they put a plate on it, let it heal, then take it out again.
I know this is very case by case basis, and everyone's injuries will be different, I was just thinking maybe the policy's changed over the course of a year?
I am a doctor, but not an orthopaedic one. However, I have a plate in my clavicle from a fracture in 2009. I asked my consultant at follow up and I've also asked a few doctor colleagues about this. The consensus from all of them was along the lines of "if it ain't broke don't fix", although the consultant said he'd offer a removal of I wanted it. Mine gives me a very mild discomfort if I wear a heavy rucksack so actually the inconvenience (not to mention risk) of having it removed under GA doesn't seem worthwhile to me.
As far as repeat injury goes, it's not like I'm a rugby prop and I'm not riding Rampage so risk of repeat injury just be fairly low (*crosses fingers*).
Mine's still in 7 years later. I'd think very carefully about going back in there. There are similar risks to the original op. without the upside plus it takes years for the nerves to grow back and all that will put you back to square one.
Unless there is a compelling reason to remove it, I'd leave well alone.
Mine was put in in December 2011. I was advised not to take it out because there is a risk from any surgical procedure as outlined above. I managed to get a partial fracture ( an case of ambition exceeding ability, again) under the plate in 2014-one of the screws is now bent- but again was advised to leave it be. The fracture is now healed again.
I have no plans to get it removed.
Another friend had a very similar fracture and plate put in in April this year. His consultant is keen to have it removed in the fairly near future. Different clinicians have different opinions, and each of us has different reasosn for leaving/removing.
I am glad I'm not the only one to wonder about this.[url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/broken-collar-bone-question ]I asked precisely the same question a few months ago[/url].
The same applies with all orthopaedic implants: if they are not causing problems they are best left in.
As mentioned they won't take it out routinely as there is no need to go through the risks if it's not causing issues.
I've just last week been discharged by my consultant/surgeon (4.5 months after surgery), she said unless it still gave me issues after 12 months+ ie things like carrying a heavy rucksack etc, then they wouldn't remove it. Not sure of their reasoning behind it tho, whether it's financial/resource orientated or genuinely a balance between necessity and possible complications / recovery / all the other stuff.
Thanks for the replies guys, its great to know that others have the same worries.
I think it's mainly come up because I've got my confidence back with riding and I'm where I was at last year, if not further.
Just have to try and have 'tactical' crashes 🙂
Risk of fracture through screw holes if removed as they take a very long time to fill, if ever.
Thus usually left in.
I was one of those to have the plate removed, broke my clavicle in June 2014, Surgeon had no option other than to take it out in March this year as it was making the skin very stressed and thin at the tip above the collarbone. No issues after either operation, healing was ok and was happy for me to get back on the bike.
Broke it again 3 weeks ago, making a proper mess of it this time, start of fracture was through one of the original screw holes, and knocked the top 40mm off in a wedge shape, now sporting another plate and 8 screws, different outcome this time, the plate has to stay in, Surgeon very much of the opinion that by this is the best option as the bone is weak and won't take.
Been advised to take at least 6 months off the bike, as movement limited and very sore, and risk of further damage is high, this has led to a huge amount of boredom and 3 shiny clean bikes...
definitely should come out if it is hooked, otherwise I believe they normally get let in.
Interesting about the screw holes - I had a later off courtesy of a pizza delivery guy riding into the back of me on the bike and hit my shoulder badly - took a few opinions at A&E to determine that it wasn't broken. However it swelled up and now I am left with a lump on the shoulder, so hopefully that helped fill up all my screw holes !