The clavicle, or collarbone, is a long, thin bone that connects the sternum in the chest with the shoulder. While the clavicle bone is a frequent site of bone fracture, surgery is rarely necessary to repair this injury, Johns Hopkins Medicine reports. Patients who require more extensive treatment should discuss clavicle surgery side effects with a doctor before having this procedure performed.
Shoulder Stiffness
Scar tissue that forms around the site of clavicle surgery can cause shoulder stiffness as a side effect of treatment, the Cleveland Clinic reports. Affected patients can have difficulty rotating or lifting the shoulder joint normally, which can make it hard for patients to pick up certain items after surgery. Typically, shoulder stiffness side effects are limited if patients participate in physical therapy after clavicle surgery.
Clavicle or Wound Healing Problems
Clavicle surgery is typically required if a clavicle fracture breaks the skin or does not fully heal on its own, Johns Hopkins Medicine explains. In certain cases, surgery can result in bone or wound healing problems in certain patients. A surgical wound that does not heal is more susceptible to infection and can increase a patient's risk of developing a scar. If a clavicle fracture does not heal after clavicle surgery, affected patients may require additional surgery to resolve this side effect.
Nerve or Blood Vessel Injury
During clavicle surgery, the nerves and blood vessel that surround the site of injury can be damaged, the Cleveland Clinic warns. Nerve damage can cause unusual sensations of tingling, burning or numbness within the treated shoulder region. Blood vessel damage can lead to extensive swelling or bruising across the skin covering the clavicle. These side effects of clavicle surgery are typically temporary and resolve without further medical treatment as the affected patients begins to heal from surgery.
Bleeding or Infection
Patients who undergo clavicle surgery are at an increased risk of experiencing bleeding or infection side effects, Drugs.com explains. Excessive bleeding due to clavicle surgery is rare, but affected patients can require additional surgery or a blood transfusion to resolve this medical complication. Patients may also develop a clavicle bone or surgical wound infection as a side effect of surgery. Symptoms of infection can include fever, chills, bone pain or unusual wound drainage. Affected patients should consult a physician as antibiotic medication may be necessary to treat infection side effects from clavicle surgery.
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