Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kiwi Tart]

So I broke my collar bone 2 weeks ago. Each time I go to the doctor, he says "oh, it looks good. no surgery." His English sucks by the way... and no good pain killers were given either.

Anyways, the bones are totally overlapping, so I want a second opinion.

anyone know any orthopedic doctors or sports medicine doctors that speak some level of English?

[toki]

I would definitely seek a second opinion, if only to ease your mind. That being said, I broke my collarbone (also overlapping) years back and was given a figure-eight brace to wear for a couple of weeks and a sling for my arm. Other than that, it was just a long and slow healing process - no surgery needed.

My boyfriend, on the other hand, also broke his collarbone (a cleaner break, no overlapping) and had surgery to put some sort of connecting pin into the fractured bone.

[Join Me]

[dr. love]

I broke my collar bone last december and had the plate and screws put in two weeks later.

Very happy with the result and fully recovered now.

The doctor at our hospital, Dr. Nam Su Cho, is an orthopedic surgeon, specializing in shoulders. he did an excellent job and is very experienced with this injury. If you are in Seoul, I can get you an appointment with him this week.

Send me a pm if you are interested.

[D.D.]

If I remember the info in class from years ago the treatment for a broken collarbone is to do nothing.

I googled it and they suggest to where a sling. Some surgeon's will operate, but it's usually not needed. Sorry to here it is hurting.

Go see the chiropractor if you are close to Seoul. Perhaps he can set it in a better position for healing. Pins are a bit over the top unless it is really messed up.

[Lekker]

I broke mine when I was 15. Figure 8 brace. There is a bit of overlapping, but it's fine. They probably won't do much except give you more pain killers and a figure 8 brace to keep it from overlapping too much. It is when you break it a second or third time, that is when they would need to fix you up with a plate and screws. No fun. I feel your pain, more like felt it. Not fun. Sorry about your injury. Go to Yonsei Severance Hospital in Sinchon and visit the International Clinic. You don't want to see a Korean doctor for a fracture if all he tells you is that you're fine. Chances are he just wants you to leave his office and pay his secretary.

You should get a second opinion fast because it's at the 3/4 week mark where the bone will begin to fuse back together and if it has already fused and there is significant overlapping, they might need to break the bone again to reset it, and with the absence of pain killers here, you will be having a very bad day. Time moves very quickly here. Get thee to Yonsei now.

[toki]

Kiwi, I can't reply to PMs, so to answer:

I took off the brace here and there when I had to and yes, I remember my shoulder/arm feeling really heavy and uncomfortable. As I recall, a good several months (possibly up to half a year or so), there was this ache/pressure that would get worse when the weather was humid (I called it my weather vane as it was a pretty good indicator of when it would rain).

My overlap was fairly significant, the x-rays showed a good 1 to 1-1/2 inches. Physical therapy wasn't recommended, so I didn't do anything but heal as time passed (this, by the way, happened back in the States). I did have a not so attractive bump/lump from the overlap which decreased in size as the swelling reduced. Still, even after a good ten years, it's a visible reminder of the fracture - a small bump that's always a good story to tell.

On the plus side, my doctor told me that the fractured bone fuses back together stronger than before. I know it's a slow and rather painful recovery, just have a little patience. Also, even if you don't really need the sling, it helps sometimes to have it on when you're out and about if only to prevent getting jostled by the crowds. Good luck in your recovery -

[gteacher]

I have broken both my collar bones, (luckily?) at different times. Both times teh treatment was a sling and 6-8 weeks. On my right side I have overlapping and on my left side I have a 1 1/2 cm seperation where the bones meet.

I could have surgery on the seperated shoulder, however, many surgeons I have spoken to -both in Canada and Korea- have suggested that unless I need to lift heavy objects as part of my job dont have the surgery.

[Crockpot2001]

I'm not qualified in any way to recommend what you do but I do have a load of experience in broken clavicles, four to be exact and all from bicycle racing.
My first clav, right side, was surgically repaired. Several months later I had the pins removed. This second ordeal was as bad as the first and prolonged the pain/suffering

Second clave, the left side, did not get anything more than an x-ray to prove fragments were not near the jugular vein. I was on the bike in no time. The bones are overlapping but fine.

Third one, back the first broken side, I also did nothing special. Did not even miss work the next day. No issues

Fourth, back to the left, no special care.

Yes, I have some bumpy shoulders and surgery scars on one side but my experience showed

What I can suggest, nothing more than that, is to stop smoking if you do, get your calcium, D, Zinc, reduce salt intake, reduce alcohol intake, consume only moderate protein, and avoid colas and other sodas. I found that staying active also helped as it increases blood flow to all areas of the body and may assist with the healing. Activity also kept me sane.

[Kiwi Tart]

Thanks. I really appreciate all the advice. It's making me feel a little more secure about this whole ordeal.

I guess I'm just going to have to suffer in this brace and sling for a few months. <Groan>

Being a teacher with this injury sucks, since writing on a board is nearly impossible and the kindergarten kids are always needing my help for everything.

More stories are always appreciated!

[CentralCali]

Hospitals with English-speaking Staff.

[Kiwi Tart]

[Crockpot2001]