Collarbone break and 5 surgeries including Pin, Graft, and Plate

[echoer]

yeah dislocated shoulder is even harder to recover than a broken collarbone, i really dont know the damage in mine, i guess one the bone heals i'll eventually have to address it....you sure went through a rollercoaster! :S you should totally post a picture of your necklace/throphy!

[kevink18]

@echoer I sent you a private message

[echoer]

good to hear that! so in a way, it all kinda worked itself out, some people break their collarbone, have no surgery at all and the result is a lowered shoulder and a reduced range of movement...you endured a lot of pain though.... I broke mine practicing downhill longboarding with no protection at all, i got really fast and the board threw me away to the paviment, i also broke my hand in that accident and had pins in it till 2 weeks ago. Im at 80% of motion now, and the collarbone is healingwell

[kevink18]

@echoer oh wow just saw this - HOLY CRAP - must have been painful - right side or left? Are you lefty or right? The whole protection thing is sucky... you pay eventually. Hope you heal up well and get back to boarding. It's been 18 months since I've done much - no sports, no work, and NO horses. I only began using my arm really about 3 months ago when the plate was removed. But the pain - well it sucks and I can stand more pain than most and it still sucks. LOL

[echoer]

i had a surgery from a broken collarbone 2 months ago, they used a titanium plate with 8 screws, I broke it in 4 places (similar to yours but with another vertical little piece) ... i've been told that the rock wood pin surgery is only used when it is not a comminuted fracture (like ours) i even had one of the extra pieces joined with another screw (outside of the plate). Anyway, i just read that the plate also didn't work! I'm stunned, how is the fracture now? i hope you get better!

[kevink18]

@echoer Tell me how you broke it! I need to make part 2 of the video. They used the rockwood pin at first because they were afraid I was too thin to use the larger plate and feared it would erode through and that there was no muscle or fat in that area to cover it (so they say). I believed that to be true. The hospital is also a teaching hospital so who really knows. Maybe they just really wanted to do a pin LOL. When that failed and I eventually needed the graft... ('cont)...

[kevink18]

@echoer so when they did the graft, by that time I had gained about 40 lbs! So they put the plate in w/9 screws (not like there were any other options anyway). But the plate also got forced up & out so 1 week short of a year, I had it taken out. BEST DECISION! My bone had healed pretty well and looks GOOD with no bumps (symmetrical to my other clavicle) and I wear the plate as a necklace. After have the plate out, I went back through PT and gained some motion back that the plate prohibited.....

[kevink18]

@echoer however @ 18 month post accident, Im still in EXTREME pain w/nerve problems & numbness... & I still need to have my shoulder fixed. There was so much attention to clavicle that dislocated shoulder wasnt even addressed yet. The other problem is my sternoclavicular joint POPs and HURTS like a biotch! I avoid any motion that will do it but cant control things when I sleep. Could be worse; considering what I went through, I'm happy I'm even this good. Thanks for the kind words. Write back.

[kevink18]

some people's bodies reject foreign objects. Some people can never wear earrings and some can't wear metals for jewelry. I was told my body just 'rejected' the rod.... AND it happened with the plate too, but the plate was screwed in (so instead, it began to GROW out of my collar). I have bad allergies and am diabetic, which was blamed for the pin erosion. Maybe I am dumb, but I believed what I was told and still dont have a concrete answer on WHY it happened.

[kevink18]

but he said all was ok, yet there was a hemotoma developing and I had a bandage over it 'just in case'... I didnt even know it came out (nerve damage) until my husband saw blood all down the back of my shoulder and shirt when he pulled in the driveway. I got very scared at that point. What I can say is DO NOT move your arm and IF you really get worried demand they do xrays or something. It does seem to be rare, but heck, it can & does happen..... oh and also (more...)

[kevink18]

the pin came out 14 days after it was put in. I had NOT moved my arm - I was immobilized in a sling AND an elastic wrap. I was told that movement was not why it came out - but rather it came out because I was very thin in that area. I was also numb so internally I felt nothing - but externally I saw a bump developing and then in the 48 hrs before the erosion, I could feel it scratching inside of me digging out. I told the doc that day that it didnt seem right (more...)

[hopemlt]

I did saw your video with the pin sticking out. How did you feel when it stuck out and what did the Doctor say about fixing it. After how many weeks did that occur. I'm just worried about mine because I'm skinny too and afraid anytime it will stick out. Do you have any advice for prevention besides not to move at all? Thank you.

[hopemlt]

Tnx for your video. Let me continue my comment. Before I saw your video I had doubts that the pin might penetrate through. It hasn't happen yet but after seeing your video there's a big chance. I'm very cautious on every movement I do with the bone.

[hopemlt]

@ Kevink18 I'm praying for your success recovery. I broke my right clavicle back in Oct. 8 due to a cycling accident. Now I have the same pin you had before, the rockwood pin. A few days ago I started noticing a bump where the pin was inserted on my back shoulder. I've been observing the movement of the pin every time I turn my head or my shoulder. Before I started researching about the rockwood pin, I had a very strong doubt that the pin might penetrate the muscle and skin. After seeing your

[kevink18]

@hopemlt - I think your comment got cut off. Thanks for writing. Sorry about your break. I have been told that I am in the very minority of those with complications; an anomaly. I was told in the beginning that all would be fine and I was just 'scared' something was wrong and to 'hang in there'. On the DAY the pin broke through my shoulder, (more.......read below)

[kevink18]

@kevink18 I actually had a doctor visit and was complaining it didnt feel right. I was told 'that is how it feels' and also that I felt it more prominently because I was thin and had little muscle/fat in that area. It was taht SAME night, the pin eroded through and I was right back in the ER.

[kevink18]

@kevink18 I want to believe that this was NOT the fault of the doctors but just 'something that happens'. I have to update this video with the new one because I also had to have the plate removed. Did you see the other video's of my pin sticking out? Hope you feel better. Keep in touch.

[megyerdon]

All my prayers that you will finally receive the healing you so desperately need. But try not to lament your life before, sometimes we can finally let go and move forward when we stop looking back. Good luck, and may you be blessed.

[kevink18]

@megyerdon Wow thank you. I am thankful to have not lost a limb, and there are others with situations far worse than mine - but even with that said, I must admit that this changed my life (and severely affected my family).

[megyerdon]

@kevink18 Its never easy for a family to go through an illness of any kind. My ex couldn't cope with my health several years back. One day, I finally said that I will function the best I can despite my health, and will stop pushing myself to do more than I could handle. I also found people who suffered similarly, which was a comfort. People sometimes don't know what to say or how to behave - they want to help, but how? You and your family will find a way, be strong. Take care!!