Can you recommend a shoulder brace?

Question

I have a "non-union clavical" (a broken collar bone that never healed - from a mountain-bike crash). Functionally, it's OK for the most part, but my shoulder droops on that side as a result, especially when I'm tired. I can use my muscles to hold it in place, which I do in many situations, but it gets tiring. I've purchased several different braces to hold it in place and they all work, but the all have one or both of the following problems: (1) they get uncomfortable fairly fast so that it's not feasible to wear them for more than a couple of hours and/or (2) they are bulky and therefore noticable when worn under clothing. I've thought about making my own or having a custom one made. Any suggestions?

RESPONSE TO chapaton's ANSWER: The orthopedist that I saw when I first broke my clavical recommended surgery, but three other orthopedic surgeons (who I bicycle with) all recommended against it unless the shoulder really gives me a lot of trouble. They based this on the danger of complications and the possibility that I would have more problems after surgery than before. Coincidentally, I subsequently met someone who had the same problem and had surgery and told me that he wished that he had just left well enough alone because of all the problems he had after surgery.

These three doctors had no stake in this, by the way. They all worked for Kaiser to which I didn't (and don't) belong. They all felt strongly that one should avoid major surgery if at all possible.

Answer 1

Yep. go in to the surgeon, get the clavicle pinned together.. then you never have to worry about the brace ever again.... especially because there really aren't any that are effective. You are probably young. Go to the ortho surgeon and have them fix you up... you are functioning lower that normal, and that should be covered by insurance.

Answer 2

you really should see a doc and tell him or her to get this fixed before it sets worng for good.
how ever you shouldn't relae on braces to get you through anything right now is the time to fix this before it has anymore time to set this way for good.
denise RN