Can The Clavicle Be Lengthened Twice?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I just want to clarify that after the surgery, once the clavicle is healed and strength restored, the procedure can be done again, this time lengthening both clavicles. It is my understanding that a clavicle lengthening procedure can be done more than once as long as adequate healing time is given in between. My end goal is to have the right clavicle lengthened twice, and the left lengthened once.

A: That is a correct concept. The clavicle is a very robust healing bone and as long as it is fully healed and has a normal cross-sectional diameter, the lengthening osteotomy can be repeated.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana