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Suggest Treatment For Collar Bone Fracture
Question: My 16 year old son has fractured his collar bone, it is a butterfly fracture , broken in 2 places, we have seen 3 different orthopaedic surgeons and have been given conflicting advice, please can you help us to decide if we should allow him to be operated on, he sustained the injury playing rugby, he is a keen sports man so his concern is that he may not be as strong if it is not pinned. My concern is that I would rather avoid surgery if there is a good chance that the injury will heal well itself. please can you advise . Thank you
Brief Answer:
Operation is needed only for cosmetic consideration.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query
I'm Dr Sudhir Kumar
I have gone through your query and understand your concern. Clavicle fracture generally does not required operation because it unite easily but malunion can occur. This bone doesn't cause much disability even if it doesn't unite. I have seen his x ray, in my opinion it will unite by non operative methods such as figure of 8 bandage or clavicular brace along with cuff and collar sling for nearly one month. It is unlikely to cause any significant disability physically. There is unlikely to have difference in strength.But it is likely to unite in malposition so cosmetically it may look slightly different from healthy side. So pinning is required only if you consider cosmetic aspect. Otherwise operation is not indicated and required.
You can discuss with your doctor about it.
Hope your query get answered. If you have any clarification then I will be happy to help you.
Wishing you a good health.
Take care.
Operation is needed only for cosmetic consideration.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query
I'm Dr Sudhir Kumar
I have gone through your query and understand your concern. Clavicle fracture generally does not required operation because it unite easily but malunion can occur. This bone doesn't cause much disability even if it doesn't unite. I have seen his x ray, in my opinion it will unite by non operative methods such as figure of 8 bandage or clavicular brace along with cuff and collar sling for nearly one month. It is unlikely to cause any significant disability physically. There is unlikely to have difference in strength.But it is likely to unite in malposition so cosmetically it may look slightly different from healthy side. So pinning is required only if you consider cosmetic aspect. Otherwise operation is not indicated and required.
You can discuss with your doctor about it.
Hope your query get answered. If you have any clarification then I will be happy to help you.
Wishing you a good health.
Take care.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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