Can My My One Short Clavicle Be Lengthened?

Q: Dr. Eppley, My right clavicle is 1 to 2 inches shorter than my left clavicle. It causes my body to slant to my left side and makes weight lifting difficult and mentally takes a huge toll on me.

A: The current ‘problem’ with clavicle lengthening is that its limit is 15mm, maybe 20mms of lengthening that can be achieved. In the congenitally short clavicle who knows if even that amount is possible to be lengthened. That amount of change seems inadequate given the significant length differences between the two sides that you have described.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon