Do The Surrounding Muscles Stretch After Clavicle Lengthening Surgery?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in the clavicle lengthening procedure and have several questions about it.

1. What is the overall cost of the procedure? 

2. Will the bone restore the full diameter after a complete recovery or will the bone remain thinner in the expanded area? 

3. How long after the surgery will I be able to do sports again involving overhead movement? (For example lifting weights, basketball or swimming) 

4. How long will I have to stay in the U.S before returning home? 

5. During the recovery process, is it possible to use the arms for a few times a day, for daily uses like using the bathroom or showering? 

6. How exactly will the surgery change the proportions of the body? Is there a visible difference in shoulder width and will it change the shoulder to hip ratio? Are the surrounding muscles going to stretch, widen and change shape? (For example the chest) 

Thank you for your time. 

A: In answer to your clavicle lengthening questions:

1) My assistant will pass along the cost of the surgery to you layer today.

2) The bone should approximate the normal thickness of the clavicle once it it fully healed.

3) It would 3 months after the surgery until I would recommend returning to strenuous sports activities.

4) It would be reasonable to fly out of the country within 7 to 10 days after the surgery.

5.) The protocol is to generally limit significant arm elevation for a few weeks after the surgery. There are some obvious activities of daily living that you have to do.

6) The operation creates a visible increase in shoulder width of about 1″ per side. This causes no muscle dysfunction anymore than if you pull your shoulders way back now.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana