Deltoid Implants

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have given up my search looking for a surgeon to preform distraction osteogenesis to widen my clavicle. I have heard you preform deltoid implants and have seen it on this website. Is it possible for the implants to add 2 CM of width on each clavicle and does it look natural for the most part? Also I can’t do fat grafting because I am not overweight at all. I just want wider shoulders in width and you seem to know much about this procedure. 

Is this procedure becoming more popular, are your patients usually satisfied with the results? 

Thank you doctor Eppley for reading this I hope to hear from you soon.

A: You are correct in that no one is going to perform distraction osteogenesis to increase your shoulder width. That is a concept that simply is not going to work for a number of reasons. While deltoid implants are your only option, the question is whether it is a good option.

Deltoid implants are not going to be able to increase your shoulder width by 2 cms or more per side. The skin over the shoulder is simply too tight to tolerate that amount of augmentation. There is also the issue of the incision/scar to place it which is usually done from the posterior axillary skin fold. 

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana