Clavicle Fracture Surgery
Brian Butzen MD - Durango Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Brian Butzen MD has been treating clavicle fractures in the Durango area since 2013. As a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in shoulder, wrist, and hand conditions, Dr. Butzen brings over a decade of expertise to the Four Corners region. His patients at Animas Orthopedic Associates consistently report excellent outcomes and high satisfaction with their clavicle fracture surgery and treatment. Dr. Butzen's dedication to the community extends throughout southwestern Colorado and northwestern New Mexico, including his satellite clinic in Pagosa Springs where he serves patients from across the region.
Last winter, a local ski instructor came to Dr. Butzen's office after a hard fall on the slopes. His clavicle had snapped clean through, leaving him unable to lift his arm and in constant pain. The young instructor worried he'd miss the entire ski season. After successful clavicle fracture surgery, he was back on the mountain teaching lessons within two months. Stories like this happen regularly in Dr. Butzen's practice, where advanced surgical techniques help people get back to the activities they love.
Understanding Clavicle Fractures
Your clavicle, commonly called the collarbone, is the long bone that connects your shoulder to your chest. It sits right under your skin and runs from your breastbone to your shoulder blade. Because it's so close to the surface, clavicle fractures are among the most common broken bones Dr. Butzen treats in his Durango practice.
The clavicle acts like a strut that holds your shoulder in the right position. When it breaks, your shoulder can't function properly. Most clavicle fractures happen in the middle part of the bone, though they can occur near the shoulder or chest connections too.
Common causes of clavicle fractures include:
Falls onto an outstretched arm
Direct impact to the shoulder
Sports injuries, especially cycling, skiing, and contact sports
Car accidents
Falls from height
Dr. Butzen sees patients from Durango, Cortez, Farmington, and Pagosa Springs with clavicle fractures from all kinds of activities. Mountain biking crashes are particularly common in the summer months, while skiing accidents bring more patients during winter.
When Clavicle Fracture Surgery is Needed
Not every broken clavicle needs surgery. Many clavicle fractures heal well with simple treatments like slings and physical therapy. However, Dr. Butzen recommends clavicle fracture surgery when:
The bones are displaced: When the broken pieces don't line up properly, they may not heal correctly without surgery. This can lead to a bump under the skin or shoulder weakness.
The fracture is severely displaced: If the bone pieces overlap significantly or are completely separated, surgery provides the best chance for proper healing.
Multiple fragments exist: Some fractures shatter the bone into several pieces. Surgery allows Dr. Butzen to put all the pieces back together properly.
Skin complications: If the broken bone threatens to poke through the skin, immediate surgery prevents infection and other serious problems.
Shortening occurs: When a fracture causes the clavicle to become significantly shorter, it can affect shoulder function permanently.
Patient factors: Athletes, manual laborers, or people whose work requires overhead activities often benefit from surgery to restore full strength and function.
A construction worker from Farmington came to Dr. Butzen after falling from scaffolding. His clavicle fracture was displaced and shortened. Without surgery, he would have lost significant shoulder strength needed for his job. The clavicle fracture surgery restored his bone to normal length and alignment, allowing him to return to work at full capacity.
Types of Clavicle Fracture Surgery
Dr. Butzen uses different surgical techniques depending on the specific fracture pattern and patient needs. His fellowship training in upper extremity surgery provides expertise in the most advanced approaches.
Plate and Screw Fixation: This is the most common method for clavicle fracture surgery. Dr. Butzen makes a small incision over the fracture site and places a specially designed plate along the bone. Screws hold the plate and bone fragments in proper position while healing occurs. Modern plates are low-profile and cause minimal irritation.
Pin Fixation: For certain fracture patterns, especially those near the end of the bone, Dr. Butzen may use pins to hold the fracture together. These thin metal rods are inserted through small incisions and removed once healing is complete.
Cable or Wire Fixation: Some complex fractures require cables or wires to hold multiple bone fragments together. This technique is often combined with other methods for the most challenging cases.
The choice of surgical technique depends on factors like fracture location, bone quality, patient age, and activity level. Dr. Butzen explains each option thoroughly so patients understand their treatment plan.
The Surgical Procedure
Clavicle fracture surgery typically takes about an hour but can be longer, depending on the complexity of the break. Dr. Butzen performs most of these surgeries as outpatient surgery in Durango, allowing patients to go home the same day.
Pre-operative preparation: You'll meet with Dr. Butzen to review the surgical plan and ask any final questions. The anesthesia team will discuss your options, which usually include general anesthesia and regional nerve blocks.
The surgery: Dr. Butzen makes a careful incision over the fracture site, usually following natural skin creases for the best cosmetic result. He gently moves muscles aside to access the broken bone, then cleans the fracture site and aligns the bone fragments. The chosen fixation method (plate, pins, or wires) is then applied to hold everything in proper position.
Closure: After confirming good alignment with X-rays during surgery, Dr. Butzen closes the incision in layers. The skin is closed with absorbable sutures with a “plastic surgery” type closure.
Most patients are surprised by how comfortable they feel as they are recovering from surgery. The pain from the broken bone is relieved once the fracture is properly aligned and stabilized.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Recovery from clavicle fracture surgery follows a predictable timeline, though individual healing rates vary. Dr. Butzen provides detailed instructions and monitors progress closely through regular follow-up appointments.
First 2 weeks: Your arm will be in a sling to protect the repair. You can use your hand and fingers normally, but avoid lifting your arm. Light daily activities are encouraged, but no lifting or reaching overhead.
2-6 weeks: Dr. Butzen will likely start you on gentle range-of-motion exercises. The sling may be discontinued during this period, allowing light use of the arm, depending on healing progress. X-rays confirm that the bone is healing properly.
6-12 weeks: Strengthening exercises begin once the bone shows solid healing on X-rays. Physical therapy is occasionally recommended to restore full shoulder function and strength, but is frequently not necessary. Athletes often start sport-specific training during this phase.
Most patients return to full activities, including sports and heavy labor about 2-3 months from surgery.
A local high school football player had clavicle fracture surgery in October and was cleared to return to full contact practice a few months later. His dedication to rehabilitation and Dr. Butzen's careful monitoring made this timeline possible.
Advantages of Surgical Treatment
When surgery is appropriate, clavicle fracture surgery offers several advantages over non-surgical treatment:
Better alignment: Surgery restores normal bone length and alignment, preventing long-term shoulder problems.
Faster return to activities: Many patients return to work and sports sooner after surgery compared to prolonged immobilization.
Reduced risk of nonunion: Surgery significantly decreases the chance that the bone won't heal properly.
Improved cosmetic appearance: Proper alignment prevents the bump that sometimes develops when displaced fractures heal without surgery.
Better shoulder function: Studies show that surgical patients often have better long-term shoulder strength and endurance.
Potential Risks and Complications
Like any surgery, clavicle fracture treatment carries some risks, though serious complications are uncommon in Dr. Butzen's experience:
Infection: Occurs in less than 1% of cases and is usually minor when it does happen.
Hardware problems: Sometimes plates or screws can cause irritation and need removal after healing is complete.
Nerve injury: The incision area may have some numbness, which usually improves over time.This does not affect the sensation of the arm or hand.
Nonunion: Very rarely, the bone doesn't heal properly even with surgery.
Cosmetic concerns: Some patients may have a visible scar, though Dr. Butzen uses techniques to minimize this.
Dr. Butzen discusses these risks thoroughly with each patient and takes steps to minimize complications through careful surgical technique and post-operative care.
Why Choose Dr. Butzen for Clavicle Fracture Treatment
Dr. Butzen's fellowship training specifically focused on shoulder and upper extremity surgery, providing specialized expertise that many orthopedic surgeons don't have. His experience treating hundreds of clavicle fractures in the Durango area has refined his surgical techniques and improved patient outcomes.
Patients appreciate his thorough explanations and personalized approach to care. He takes time to understand each person's goals and lifestyle, tailoring treatment plans accordingly. Whether you're a weekend warrior hoping to get back on the bike or a tradesperson who needs full shoulder strength for work, Dr. Butzen develops a plan that fits your needs.
His commitment to the Four Corners community is evident through his decade of service and his satellite clinic in Pagosa Springs. This local presence means patients can receive expert care without traveling to distant medical centers.
Long-term Outcomes
Most patients who undergo clavicle fracture surgery with Dr. Butzen achieve excellent long-term results. The bone heals in proper alignment, shoulder function returns to normal, and people get back to their regular activities.
Follow-up studies show that the vast majority of patients are satisfied with their surgical outcomes and would choose surgery again if faced with a similar injury. Many report that their shoulder feels completely normal once fully healed.
Dr. Butzen continues to follow patients long-term, tracking their progress and addressing any concerns that arise. This ongoing relationship helps identify and solve problems early if they occur.
Getting Back to What You Love
The goal of clavicle fracture surgery is to restore your shoulder to full function so you can return to the activities that matter most to you. Whether that's skiing Purgatory's slopes, mountain biking the trails around Durango, working in your garden, or playing with your grandchildren, Dr. Butzen's expertise helps make it possible.
If you've suffered a clavicle fracture in Durango, Cortez, Farmington, or Pagosa Springs, don't let uncertainty about treatment delay your recovery. Contact Dr. Butzen's office at Animas Orthopedic Associates to schedule a consultation. With his specialized training, years of experience, and commitment to patient care, you can take the first step toward healing and getting back to the life you want to live.