The next question is: when to get the titanium clavicle plate removed? After months of aggravation with the plate in, I asked my surgeon to remove it. Xrays showed that the bones had knitted, and I felt strong like Mother Russia. He agreed to remove it at 6 months. Immediately after surgery it felt amazing. I was so happy, and couldn't wait to remove the post op plaster to see my own beautiful clavicle in its right place. I had zero pain, and even walked on the treadmill 5 days after surgery to get my step count in. 6 days after surgery I started a muscular pain at the back of my shoulder. At 7 days the post op plaster was irritating my skin so much that I removed it, revealing a lump under the skin. Fluid I thought. And saw a physio for the shoulder muscle pain and did exercises to get the arm moving again. 12 days after op was first check up with surgeon, revealing the worst news I'd had since a family member died. The son-of-a-bitch clavicle was broken again. The lump was not fluid. It was the one side of my bone saying 'Howzit'. Why? The bone hadn't melded properly. Mother Russia had fallen. I didn't bump it, and even if I had kept still for two weeks it probably would have broken again anyway. Next week I go and start the process again with a new titanium plate. The alternative being a forever lump and an uncertain boney future. So do get the plate. Don't take your plate out too soon. Take calcium supplements. Have a hospital plan. Discovery have been an amazing provider and I am grateful for their no-fuss approach to surgeries. Although I wish they had been more fussy about the plate removal..!
