What Is The Correlation Between Clavicle Lengthening and Wingspan

Q: Dr. Eppley, https://www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com/how-much-shoulder-widening-clavicle-lengthening-can-be-safely-achieved/ I was wondering if you’ve learned anything new about the limits of clavicle lengthening, as well as its correlation with wingspan.

A: There have been no improvements as to how much clavicle lengthening can be achieved per side (15 to 20mms). Nor do I envision that happening any time soon as the limiting factor is the soft tissue attachments of the shoulder girdle, specifically that of the scapular attachments  to the humerus through various stabilizing and rotating muscles. These are attachment issues that even distraction lengthening is unlikely to be able to overcome.

I have never yet made any measured correlation to clavicle lengthening and its effects on wingspan. At the least it should have a linear correlation with the amount of clavicle lengthening but I would suspect its visual effect is greater than its measured effect. 

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon