What’s today? It’s CHOOSEDAY. Today’s twitter question from Mr_TREAD was:
Had a collarbone break repaired with a plate? What’s the best option – leave it in or have it removed?
Plenty of replies of which the opinion seems to be very even between the two options. These key factors were clear:
- If it bothers you, have it removed
- If you intend to continue mountain biking for a long time still, have it removed
- Depends on the individual case. Some can leave it, while others shouldn’t
- If the crash crash that caused the break was your own fault, do a TREAD Skills Clinic (okay, we added that one in)
We pasted most of the replies below in case you’re really interested in who tweeted what within 140 characters…
@Mr_TREAD:Fall with it in – potential injury to adjacent structures+ worse fractures = get a new one.Fall with it out = get a new one!
@Mr_TREAD I have one in for almost 3 years now, doctor said just leave it in!
@Mr_TREAD ask @wendzh – she’s a Physio and has seen a fair number of collar bone patients. Wendy: leave plate in or take out?
@NeilFrazer @Mr_TREAD I was warned that plate is close to subclavian artery and could injure the artery if involved in another crash.
@nvlaming @dinolloyd @Mr_TREAD if u crash and break it only every 10yrs, it can stay.;)
“@brucediesel: @Mr_TREAD very dangerous to leave it in” not what my Orthopod said, said required additional strength and risks minimal
@Mr_TREAD mine is still in and doc said if it doesn’t bother you leave it
@dinolloyd @Mr_TREAD was advised to remove if still riding.Titanium stronger than bone,compounds possible 2nd break.Ask @kevinevansracin
@MikePosthumus @Mr_TREAD interesting! I wrongly thought it would be stronger with the plate in, hence leave it in while racing
Jason Geldenhuys@JasonGeldenhuy1
@meurant @Mr_TREAD @cranknews Haha! 29er breaks are always more severe!
@Mr_TREAD Think it’s dependent on the individual’s case. Mine had knitted before a decision could be made, opted not to re-break and operate
@NeilFrazer @Mr_TREAD had mine removed – falling on a plated shoulder could be bleak
@Mr_TREAD very dangerous to leave it in
@Mr_TREAD Depends. Did you break the bone on a 26 or 29’er? Got my coat… @cranknews
Crank Cycling News @cranknews
@Mr_TREAD have it removed, can be horrible if you fall on that side again. Bone will break next to plate, hard to repair.
@NeilFrazer @mr_tread leave it in.
@AlbeGeldenhuys @Mr_TREAD It might not look pretty bent 🙂 Just don’t fall.
Anna Maria Herselman @Drhersel
@Mr_TREAD advice from the shoulder surgeon I work with: if it’s not bothering you, leave it in
@Mr_TREAD – leave it in. When the alarm goes off on the metal detectors at the airport, just scream “damn you abs of steel”.
@Mr_TREAD give up all riding and wrap yourself in cotton-wool before venturing out of the house?
@Mr_TREAD had a plate in for last 2 years. Will remove it asap. You feel it all the time with safety belt, carry packs, scuffles & hugs!
Waylon Woolcock@WaylonWoolcock
@Mr_TREAD from what I’ve heard it’s best to have it removed. The plate causes bigger issues if you break it again.
A Bayliss-Lane @a_baylisslane
@Mr_TREAD not sure of the answer, but believe the process is more pain full than inserting it
Stu Rawlinson@edgartheathlete
@Mr_TREAD Had mine removed on the advice of ortho’s that also ride. Never looked back. I don’t think there is definitive evidence either way
@Mr_TREAD I’ve had a plate in for the past 25+ years, has never bothered me.
“@Mr_TREAD: Had a collarbone break repaired with a plate? What’s the best option – leave in, have it removed?” Happy with my Ti componentary
Michael Posthumus@MikePosthumus
@Mr_TREAD Continuing high risk sport? Take out. Not continuing high risk? Leave it
Bennie Pienaar @BenniePienaar
@PelotrainRacing @Mr_TREAD as per my earlier tweet my son is having issues and would prefer to have had it out so would agree with John!
John Wakefield @PelotrainRacing
.@Mr_TREAD Have it removed can and often causes complications later on. Ive seen some horrors when crashes cause plate to bend.
Bennie Pienaar @BenniePienaar
@Mr_TREAD my son has broken both, one was taken out (as he was still quite young) and the other has been left in but he says it bugs him now
