Broken Clavicle question, for medical qualified personal only plz!!?!
Question: well, basically, I have a clavicle that broke into 3 separate parts, and the middle piece is floating vertically right now. I know this for a fact, from the X ray and the doctors mouth.. Basically, here's my situation, when i told the othopedic surgeon that i didn't have insurance or too much money, he gave me arm exercises to do for 4 weeks instead of surgery possibilities.. There's really no way that 3 pieces will line up however, at least this is what i believe.. I've a state program that will help pay for it, but i'm wondering, informally, do you think that surgery would be necessary on a clavicle that is in 3 pieces? Please, only medically qualified answers as this is a serious matter.
Answers: well, basically, I have a clavicle that broke into 3 separate parts, and the middle piece is floating vertically right now. I know this for a fact, from the X ray and the doctors mouth.. Basically, here's my situation, when i told the othopedic surgeon that i didn't have insurance or too much money, he gave me arm exercises to do for 4 weeks instead of surgery possibilities.. There's really no way that 3 pieces will line up however, at least this is what i believe.. I've a state program that will help pay for it, but i'm wondering, informally, do you think that surgery would be necessary on a clavicle that is in 3 pieces? Please, only medically qualified answers as this is a serious matter.
Having a 'floating' piece of the clavicle lodged in tissues could, theoretically end up with the bone fragment working its way into some of the body's organs. Not likely, but possible.
If the center fragment is truly seperated from either end of the bone, and has twisted to a vertical position, you'd do well to have it realigned. It's not difficult surgery, and if you have a source for the funding, I'd get the surgery scheduled soon.
Anyone can give you info on here and say they are qualified and they might not be. Go to your Doctor
Clavicle's usually heal very quickly. You may need to get the floating piece secured and let it heal.
No offense, but asking medical questions on Yahoo Answers is stupid, no matter how many times you say "only medically qualified answers ".
Have the surgery. If the bone wasn't vertical then I would say to wait and do exercises.
Sorry not a nurse but my husband broke his and the surgeon said that usually they do not repair these becuase there is a blood vein that could make the surgery very dangerous... my husband is overlapping we asked about a plate to tie the to ends together to even out his shoulders and the surgeon asked "what are you a shoulder model?" My husband is a weightlifter and this has affected him slightly he has learned to live with it but it nots very pretty... The way they explained it to us it the blood platelates and bone marrow produce more which turn into calcuim and creates a bone strucutre to secure it... now as far as the loose peice you have they may just leave it alone depending on the size.,
My father broke his clavicleand scapula about 7 weeks ago. I didn't think it would heal either but the doctor strapped his arm down for 6 weeks and last Thursdays x-ray showed it was in line and healed up. I think that it depends on the talent of the orthopedist. Surgery is the quick fix, but years ago people healed up with immobilization and strapping. I guess if you can tollerate the immobility, you might too.
I am not a doctor or into orthopedics, but it could be possible that a calcium callus to heal the bone could form around the break...not necessarily the way you want it to or possibly in exactly the way you want it to... it could remain loose, or it could fuse up like the tiny bones in the wrist or ankle can and impair mobility or it might heal properly. Sometimes they might do surgery to put a pin or some such in to stabilize the bones and help them to heal. Sometimes hospitals have programs to provide some amount of free indigent care for people without insurance (but the doctor is another matter and the anesthetist too).
Can you get a second mortgage or a loan against your car or something to pay for surgery if recommended by another physician ? Usually doctors don't recommend moving broken bones around...usually they IMMOBILIZE them. Maybe like in a sling for a broken shoulder....You want to keep some mobility, but allow enough rest for the bones to heal.