Even with this mess, it was hotly debated for around two weeks whether I needed surgery. A good chunk of my collarbone was trying to push through my skin and the other half was fusing to my scapular and was starting to compromise nerve function. Even then, because the non-surgical route is now considered the standard, I was meeting resistance to have an ORIF. It seems that the about turn from surgical intervention has been so strong that getting ANY surgical intervention is a battle.
I eventually came across a surgeon who took one look at me (never mind the imaging) and scheduled me for surgery. ~18 months later I’m now on a waiting list to have the plate removed, and strangely have gone off cycling… Surfing has happily taken its place.
The craziest part about the plate is how quickly the pain from instability was relieved. I could finally sleep and honestly could've used my arm at ~80% days after surgery. I still have the plate which causes some discomfort, but I likely won’t worry about it.
In light of the article, I wonder if the plate encouraged/allowed me to use my arm in ways I wasn’t aware of. Funnily enough, it’s almost the definition of a crutch but one that allows me to use my arm more than if I was just hugging my body in an attempt to avoid that sharp pain.
Never lost my fear of the mtb, just focus on the uphill and cross country more.
Yeah, I failed to get my plate removal appointment in time, then I got a plate replacement appointment on the fast track and the next removal appointment then happened to be almost the same day as the one originally scheduled (the plates for separated shoulder stay in much shorter, and they better should, because they aren't painless at all)