Does Shoulder Widening Make The Shoulders Pull Back A Bit?

Q: Dr. Eppley, In shoulder widening surgery  does the slope of the shoulders change?

A: In clavicular lengthening, regardless of the angulation of the clavicle, there is a direct translation of the bony lengthening to the bideltoid width. Because the clavicle is not a straight bone but an s-shaped bone, lengthening it widens AND pulls the shoulders back a bit. (desloping if you will) This is the reverse effect of what is seen in clavicle reduction where the shoulders narrow and slope in a bit because of the bone’s s-shape curve.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana