How Much Bone Is Removed In Clavicular Reduction Surgery for Shoulder Narrowing?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am inquiring about clavicle reduction surgery. (shoulder narrowing)  How much reduction can be achieved by your team?  How much bone is removed per clavicle?  Where are the scars positioned? What is your timeframe for recovery? How much does this surgery cost, excluding travel expenses? I am asking both out of personal motivation and interest, as well as to compile information about surgeons willing to preform this procedure for others reference. 

Thank you for your time. 

A: In answer to your shoulder narrowing (clavicular reduction) surgery questions:

1) A 2 cm length of the clavicle bone is removed per side which roughly translates into a one inch shoulder width reduction per side.

2) The 4 cm incisions is placed directly over the osteotomy site at the mid-clavicular level.

3) Recovery and what activities are done are based on clavicle bone repair healing. Such bone osteotomies takes about 6 to 8 weeks to fully heal when one can return to all normal physical activities.

4) My assistant Camille will pass along the cost of such shoulder narrowing surgery to you tomorrow.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana