If Hardware Is Removed After Clavicle Reduction Surgery Will The Holes Left By Screw Removal Make The Bone Weaker?

Q: Dr. Eppley, in clavicle shortening surgery  you can reduce the overall width of shoulder but the drawback is that the hardware (if left on for life) will show and be palpable. If removed, the holes produced by the removed bone screws will render that altered clavicle bone much weaker than pre-surgery. Depending on the pre-surgery morphology of the shoulder, the shortening procedure might also not give much “shortened” new shoulder appearance. Are these accurate statements?

A: In answer to your clavicle length reduction surgery questions:

1) The screw holes that are left right after clavicle hardware is removed will go on and completely fill in with bone in a few months.

2) Based on my experience with the clavicle reduction surgery most if not all patients find that the postoperative shoulder appearance is much improved and more pleasing. Your  supposition that claviclce reduction surgery does not create a shortened new shoulder appearance does not appear to be born out by actual clinical experiences.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon