Dr. Timothy K. Durnin - 10/4/2008

Question
September 2006 i had a piece of bone removed from my clavicle due to what i can only describe as a dislocated clavicle that went undiagnosed for 8 months, the bone was cut off and a piece of my neck muscle was put into the bone, all was well until recently, i have found that this bone is growing back but a lot faster than before? have you heard of this and what do you think it may be! this is obstructing my throat especially when i lay down to sleep at night.
The consultant who preformed this Operation has as yet not sent me another appointment, it is very hard to get his secretary on the phone and they have never returned my messages, this seems strange to me.
I am getting a bit apprehensive now.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

Answer
Hi Trasie,

First I would fire the Ortho and get another opinion, these guys are notorious for "cut and run" type behavior.

What you have is a proliferation of exostosis or callous formation around the anastomosis where the attachment was performed. In English, this is just excessive bone growth around the point of attachment and should be aggressively ultrasounded with a therapeutic unit. Any PT or Chiropractor has this equipment.

Also, working the range of motion to the point of pain will ward of any ROM restriction. Get another opinion and I am sure things will look up for you.

Good Luck!

Dr. Timothy Durnin