When to Remove Hardware from Clavicle Fracture - Dr. Eric Janssen

Dr. Eric Janssen is a board certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine with a focus on knee and shoulder surgery. He recently presented a program on shoulder injuries and treatment options. Dr. Janssen was asked if the plate and screws can removed after a clavicle fracture has healed. He explains the different options and what factors determine if the hardware is removed or not. We have Dr. Janssen's entire program, "Why My Shoulder Hurts?" on our channel along with more questions and answers. Dr. Janssen has been in practice for over 20 years. He is founder and principal partner of SportsMED Orthopaedic Surgery & Spine Center and sees patients in two North Alabama locations; Huntsville and Cullman.

[@subodhgautam649]

I hv clavicle surgery plate....after 1 year i plan to get it removed. Who wants a metal plate inside him. Orthopedics are always looking to perform surgery for minor reasons. Orthopedics hv forgotten how to put a cast ....

[@FirexLyrics]

Recovery time of clavicle after bonegraft surgery

[@sandorsos3576]

Kösz tesi

[@theblackbull55]

i have a plate on my bone. What happens if you fall and brake it again? Will the plate snap in half and pierce through my body?

[@dasgeld]

Hey, I can understand what you feel, i have the same problem :) Next week I am getting my plate remove. It's been 4 months since surgery. One of the screws gone up naturally we don't know why. I think most important situation is that you shouldnt fall AFTER your plate is removed. I dont know what happens if you fall while you have plate but it must be more dangerous to fall when you dont have plate. Because I think plate will stabilize your clavicle either you fall or not. Get well soon my friend. Subscribe me if want to hear me after my plate removal surgery. We will be verrry happy by the way, if Doctor enlighten us.

[@theblackbull55]

das erim Thanks for the answer! I was told it wasent necessary to remove the plate by my doctor. Its been almost 3 years since i broke it. Dont know if i should leave it. Im just afraid what could happen if you break it again while the plate is there.

[@dasgeld]

The plate is more harder than your bone. I guess, it may hold your bone when you fall. Think your plate like "mould." But hey, tomorrow I will be hospitalized tomorrow for removal of my plate. The surgeons who are going to operate me are my friends. I will ask them for you. Wait for my answer in few days.

[@theblackbull55]

das erim Oh cool! Thanks alot and good luck!

[@dasgeld]

Luminary, I had my plate removed a month ago. After the first surgery, I couldn't sleep untill morning because of the paiin. But in this last surgery, after plate removed, I had no pain at all. Even the insicion area didn't hurt. Nothing changes after plate is removed. You just keep doing whatever you did when you had plate. My plate was supposed to stay 1-1,5 years but the medial screw was unthighten naturally because it was a little bit above the AC joint, so when my arm moved, the screw went up gradually. When doctors saw that, they said "we believe that your bone is healed. we will open the bone and see if it is okay. If bone is healed, we will remove all plate. but if it is not healed, we will just take the medial screw." So they removed everything after 4 months. You just go ask your doctors if it is okay to remove. but my suggestion as a patient is to keep plate 1 year. My bone and incision scar was healed very good. It is now in a good condition but every day after surgery, for 1 and a half months, I cleaned my scar with iodine solution and cover it with bandage. I hope your bone is healed. Take care and dont hesitate to ask me questions anytime you want. Best regards, Erim.