Clavicle Surgery Risks & Potential Complications

Potential complications of clavicle surgery include:

- Infection: This is a risk with any surgery, and can occur if bacteria enter the wound. Symptoms of infection include fever, chills, redness, swelling, and pain.

- Bleeding: Bleeding can occur during or after surgery, and can be a serious complication if not controlled.

- Nerve damage: The nerves that supply the skin and muscles around the clavicle can be damaged during surgery, which can lead to numbness, tingling, or pain.

- Failure to heal: In some cases, the clavicle may not heal properly after surgery, which can lead to pain, deformity, and instability.

- Scarring: Surgery will leave a scar on the skin, which may be noticeable.

- Stiffness: The clavicle may become stiff after surgery, which can limit movement and cause pain.

- Malunion: This occurs when the clavicle does not heal in the correct position, which can lead to deformity, pain, and instability.

- Nonunion: This occurs when the clavicle does not heal at all, which can lead to pain, deformity, and instability.

- Implant failure: If a metal plate or screws are used to hold the clavicle in place, they can loosen or break, which can lead to pain, deformity, and instability.