grinding down the bone - Bone Disorders Message Board

JasonJason · 03-02-2009, 05:03 PM

I had surgery on my shoulder. Part the surgery included the doctor grinding down the bone to smooth it out. My recovery has gone smoothly, but I have pain on the top of the shoulder bone. How long does it take for this pain to go away? It's not horrible pain, but it's enough to hinder my recovery.

jennybyc · 03-02-2009, 05:11 PM

You probably had a distal clavicle excision where they grind off the end of the collar bone to give more room to the AC joint where the collar bone meets the shoulder blade on top of your shoulder. You can get very bad osteoarthritis there. I've had both done.

It takes about 3-4 months for the pain to go. It's like having a broken bone heal except it needs to grow new cartilage on the end and that takes more time.

But once it's fixed, it feels great!

gentle hugs.............Jenny