Surgery Update

[zook]

Thanks Zook. Let me know when you guys want to hike the bird sanctuary. I'll meet you two for a tour.

Will do. Thanks.

 

[Paul]

Thanks Paul, I noticed your new avatar. ACL? When does Ralphie eating soap come back?

Yup, ACL.

When you least expect it. ;-)

 

[jack97]

Ahh ok. This surgeon didn't use any hardware. I took the bandage off and there's still a lot of swelling. The bone seems to be back in place. What was your exact injury?

Clavicle fracture right next to the AC joint. I was walking the dogs, slipped on ice and landed sideways on my shoulders (on ice covered hard asphalt). Since it was close to the AC joint, the doc said that lots of shoulder movement might displace the bone and/or prevent proper callus formation. Although the doctor didn't think much on them, I wore a clavicle strap for weeks just to prevent myself from moving the shoulder excessively. I even wore it for spring moguls.

 

[BeanoNYC]

Clavicle fracture right next to the AC joint. I was walking the dogs, slipped on ice and landed sideways on my shoulders (on ice covered hard asphalt). Since it was close to the AC joint, the doc said that lots of shoulder movement might displace the bone and/or prevent proper callus formation. Although the doctor didn't think much on them, I wore a clavicle strap for weeks just to prevent myself from moving the shoulder excessively. I even wore it for spring moguls.

That's a tough spot to get a break. If anyone can do it w/o hardware, this guy can, if you're interested.

 

[kickstand]

The doctor use the term "hardware" for the wires and pin inserts needed to keep my bone in place. The idea of pins inserted into my bones just didn't sit well with me, that's why I opted out.

ah, yes, hardware. I think the docs are using those bio-degradable screws whenever they can. I can't remember if they were able to use them when I had my ACL replaced. I want to say no, but I'm not positive. For my quad tendon tear, they used kevlar-like sutures (non-bio-degradable), drilled thru my knee cap and tied them off at the bottom of the knee cap. I can see and feel the knots on the bottom of my knee cap. At least there are no screws!

Having screws or pins in your bones is really nothing to worry about. I know some people get all concerned about setting off metal detectors at the airport and stuff. You'd need an obscene amount of hardware in you to do that. I know having that stuff in you may not sound very appealing, but a lot of times it's the best - or only - way to fix an injury.

 

[Grassi21]

4 pins and a plate in my thumb. I've never set off a metal detector.

 

[jack97]

I know having that stuff in you may not sound very appealing, but a lot of times it's the best - or only - way to fix an injury.

I don't question the use of hardware... but I got two opinions (albeit from the same practice group), I was borderline on the first visit and could have surgery base on x rays from the second visit. On the second visit, they saw no evidences of dislodgement and so he opted for no changed. Right now, I got this lump that seems to be getting smaller just not sure if it will ever go away.

Truth be told, I was more concern about recovery time from surgery and how it would affect my spring skiing.... ok, call me shallow.

 

[kickstand]

I don't question the use of hardware... but I got two opinions (albeit from the same practice group), I was borderline on the first visit and could have surgery base on x rays from the second visit. On the second visit, they saw no evidences of dislodgement and so he opted for no changed. Right now, I got this lump that seems to be getting smaller just not sure if it will ever go away.

Truth be told, I was more concern about recovery time from surgery and how it would affect my spring skiing.... ok, call me shallow.

I would agree, if one could avoid surgery - and hardware - at all, definitely the way to go. I just wouldn't want someone to avoid necessary surgery because of screws, pins or plates.

nothing shallow about that at all - you NEED to factor in recovery time in relation to the start of ski season. That's what I did for my ACL repair.

 

[Paul]

ah, yes, hardware. I think the docs are using those bio-degradable screws whenever they can. I can't remember if they were able to use them when I had my ACL replaced. I want to say no, but I'm not positive. For my quad tendon tear, they used kevlar-like sutures (non-bio-degradable), drilled thru my knee cap and tied them off at the bottom of the knee cap. I can see and feel the knots on the bottom of my knee cap. At least there are no screws!

Having screws or pins in your bones is really nothing to worry about. I know some people get all concerned about setting off metal detectors at the airport and stuff. You'd need an obscene amount of hardware in you to do that. I know having that stuff in you may not sound very appealing, but a lot of times it's the best - or only - way to fix an injury.

Mine had planned on the bio-degradable ones, but ended-up using metal. I never asked why.

 

[nancy2]

i had 10 screws and plate in my leg (titanium) never set off detectors.
just had them removed may 11 ouch!!!!!

 

[BeanoNYC]

Stitches are out. Swelling has gone down a bit and things are looking good.

 

[ALLSKIING]

Stitches are out. Swelling has gone down a bit and things are looking good.

Thats looks much better Rich. How is the pain?

 

[BeanoNYC]

Thats looks much better Rich. How is the pain?

The pain decreases day by day. I'm off the vikes, except to sleep at night. Sleeping is the hardest thing about the pain.

 

[JimG.]

The pain decreases day by day. I'm off the vikes, except to sleep at night. Sleeping is the hardest thing about the pain.

And shoulders are the worst for this in particular...when I tore my labrum years ago sleeping was almost impossible. Talk about throbbing pain. Not searing or intense pain, but enough to make sleep impossible.

You'll feel better soon.

 

[Greg]

That looks human again. Get well.