Distal Clavicle Excision is a surgical technique for treating persistent pain and limited movement in the shoulder, often caused by joint wear near the end of the collarbone. It is usually considered when other treatments, such as medication, rest, or physical therapy, haven’t provided enough relief.
This procedure removes a small portion of the collarbone closest to the shoulder. This creates space in the joint, which helps reduce pressure, irritation, and pain. The operation can be done using small incisions and a camera (arthroscopy), allowing quicker and smoother recovery.
After surgery, the shoulder may be supported with a sling for a short time. As healing progresses, gentle exercises and physiotherapy are introduced to rebuild strength and movement. With time and care, most patients notice a significant improvement in comfort and daily function.
- Chronic pain at the top of the shoulder
- Discomfort with overhead activities
- Pain during cross-body arm movements
- Swelling or tenderness over the AC joint
- Reduced range of motion
- Clicking or grinding sensations in the joint
- A complete shoulder examination by an orthopaedic surgeon
- Imaging studies like X-rays or MRI to assess AC joint degeneration and rule out other causes
- Medical clearance and routine blood tests, ECG (if needed
- Instructions regarding medications to avoid before surgery (e.g., blood thinners)
- Fasting for 6–8 hours if general anaesthesia is planned
- Small incisions are made, and a tiny camera (arthroscope) is inserted.
- Special instruments are used to remove 5–10 mm of the distal clavicle.
- This method results in less tissue damage, faster recovery, and minimal scarring.
- A larger incision is made directly over the AC joint.
- The surgeon removes the diseased portion of the clavicle manually.
- This is used in complex or revision cases.
- Arthroscopic excision: About 30–60 minutes
- Open surgery: Typically 60–90 minutes
- Most patients return home the same day (outpatient procedure)
- Initial healing takes a few weeks, but full functional recovery may take 6–12 weeks, depending on activity level
- Infection
- Bleeding or hematoma
- Injury to the surrounding nerves or blood vessels
- Shoulder stiffness or limited motion
- Persistent pain or incomplete symptom relief
- Rarely, joint instability or weakness
- Significant pain relief
- Improved shoulder mobility and strength
- Faster return to work and sports
- Minimally invasive options are available with quicker recovery
- Reduced inflammation and joint degeneration
- Significant pain relief
- Improved shoulder mobility and strength
- Faster return to work and sports
- Minimally invasive options are available with quicker recovery
- Reduced inflammation and joint degeneration
Would you like some help? We are available.
Get Help
NMC Royal Hospital, Khalifa City
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
NMC Royal Hospital, Khalifa City located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates is accredited by JCI. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:
- Capacity for 500 beds
- 53 Critical Care beds
- 24-hour Emergency Services
- 24-hour Ambulance Service
- OPD (Outpatient department treatment)
- An Automated Laboratory
- The Hospital has the first hybrid Operating Theatre with flex move system
- First NICU and PICU Combination set up
Medicana International Ankara Hospital
Ankara, Turkey
Medicana International Ankara Hospital located in Ankara, Turkey is accredited by ISO, JCI. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:
- Area of 20.000 m2
- Capacity for 207 bed capacity
- 8 Operating rooms
- 26 Observation beds
- 17 internal and surgical intensive care units
- 9 cardiovascular intensive care units
- 10 incubators
- 5 Coronary Intensive Care Unit
- Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
- IVF Center
- Advanced Oncology Unit
- Bone Marrow Center
- Organ Transplant Center
- Cardiology center
- Obesity Center
- Clinical Services
- In-house Pharmacies
- Parking capacity of 50 vehicles and free valet service
- Patients rooms are fully equipped and categorized as Suite room, VIP room and standard room
Rabin Medical Center
Petah Tikva, Israel
Rabin Medical Center located in Petah Tikva, Israel is accredited by JCI. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:
- There are as many as 6 intensive care departments at the center.
- The hospital has been able to treat and manage complex heart conditions by exceptional cardiologists.
- The Emergency care services of the hospital have also helped a large number of patients.
- The Cardiothoracic Center is also worth mentioning for the care it has provided to patients.
- The hospital is also recognised for its organ transplantation facilities with 70% of organ transplants in Israel done in Beilinson Hospital.
- Bone Marrow transplants performed at the Davidoff Cancer Research and Treatment Center have been a boon for many patients.
University Hospital
Basel, Switzerland
University Hospital located in Basel, Switzerland is accredited by ISO. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:
- The bed capacity of the hospital is 670.
- There are as many as 50 clinics.
- A 24/7 emergency unit is also present for all kinds of medical emergencies.
- The hospital has been home to various innovative applications in medicine in addition to the regular advancements in every specialty.
- There are centers which are committed to providing care in certain specialties such as for heart, strokes, stem cells, tumors, spine centers and lungs.
- There is an international patient care center which brings respite to medical travellers coming to University Hospital Basel and provides all kinds of assistance to them from travel, transfer arrangements, stay bookings, accommodation, appointments and translators.
LLH Hospital, Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
LLH Hospital, Abu Dhabi located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates is accredited by JCI. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:
- 24*7 Pharmacy
- 24*7 Emergency DepartmentAmbulance Services
- Mobile Clinics
- Telemedicine
- Valet Parking
- Facility Management Department, which includes dedicated staff responsible for the maintenance of LLH Hospital
Medical Park Antalya Hospital
Antalya, Turkey
Apart from in-detail treatment procedures available, Medical Park Antalya Hospital located in Antalya, Turkey has a wide variety of facilities available for International Patients. Some of the facilities which are provided by them are Accommodation, Airport Transfer, Choice of Meals, Interpreter, TV inside room. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:
- 84 Polyclinics
- Capacity for 228 beds (39 in Heart Hospital)
- 73 Intensive Care Units
- 10 coronary Intensive Care Units
- 7 CVS
- 22 General Intensive Care Units
- 34 neonatal intensive care Units
- 10 Operating rooms equipped with organ transplant surgery standards
- Aviation Medical Center
- Hair Transplantation Clinic
Medical Park Usak Hospital
Usak, Turkey
Medical Park is Turkey's largest network of hospitals, with hospitals in 17 cities across the country. The hospitals of Medical Park Group have the latest equipment for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
The existence of Medical Park in Uşak, one of the biggest and most reputable healthcare institutions in the nation, is essential to the city's further expansion and transformation into a center of high-quality healthcare. The hospital provides modern medical services, advanced technology, and a staff of highly skilled experts who provide patients in Uşak and the neighboring provinces with compassionate and efficient treatment as part of its dedication to providing high-quality healthcare for everyone.
Medical Park Tarsus Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey
Apart from in-detail treatment procedures available, Medical Park Tarsus Hospital located in Istanbul, Turkey has a wide variety of facilities available for International Patients. Some of the facilities which are provided by them are Accommodation, Airport Transfer, Choice of Meals, Interpreter, SIM. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:
- The hospital has a 9-storey building with 12,000 sqm of indoor area
- Capacity of 157 beds
- 46 Intensive care units
- Intensive Care Units consists of Coronary ICU, Cardiovascular Surgery ICU, NICU, Primary ICU and Secondary ICU)
- 5 Operation Theatres
- 87 inpatient clinic beds
- 24 beds for short-stay unit
- Fully-fledged patient rooms
- Cafeteria/Restaurant
Medical Park Trabzon Star Hospital
Trabzon, Turkey
Apart from in-detail treatment procedures available, Medical Park Trabzon Star Hospital located in Trabzon, Turkey has a wide variety of facilities available for International Patients. Some of the facilities which are provided by them are Accommodation, Airport Transfer, Choice of Meals, Interpreter, TV inside room. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:
- Covers a 12,000 sqm of indoor area
- 107 beds
- ICU (17 beds)
- 12 beds in Neonatal ICU (NICU)
- 6 Operating rooms
VM Medical Park Ankara
Ankara, Turkey
Apart from in-detail treatment procedures available, VM Medical Park Ankara located in Ankara, Turkey has a wide variety of facilities available for International Patients. Some of the facilities which are provided by them are Accommodation, Airport Transfer, Choice of Meals, Interpreter, TV inside room. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:
- Covers an area of 22,000 sqm
- Capacity of 44 beds
- 6 Operating Rooms
- 72 Outpatient Clinics
- Online doctor consultation
- Medical records transfer
- Rehabilitation
- Translation services
- Interpreter services
- Airport pickup
- Hotel booking
- Free Wi-fi
- Phone in the room
- TV in the room
- Special dietary requests accepted
- Private rooms for patients available
- Family accommodation
- Pharmacy
- Laundry
- Mobility accessible rooms
Need Some Advice From Our Experts?
Request a Call Back Now!
Our team of healthcare experts would be happy to assist you
+99Process Involved for Distal Clavicle Excision (resection)
Treatment Stages for Distal clavicle excision (resection) are:-
- Initial Evaluation: The doctor examines your shoulder, reviews imaging, and discusses symptoms to decide if surgery is needed.
- Pre-Surgery Preparation: Basic tests are done, and you're given guidance on preparing for the procedure.
- Surgical Procedure: The damaged end of the collarbone is carefully removed to reduce pain and improve shoulder movement.
- Post-Surgery Care: You're monitored for pain and healing. During the initial recovery phase, a sling supports the shoulder.
- Rehabilitation: Physical therapy starts gradually to restore mobility and build strength in the shoulder.
- Follow-Up: Regular check-ins ensure proper healing and help adjust the rehab plan.
- Shoulder Impingement Syndrome : Persistent pinching of tendons or bursa near the shoulder joint causes pain and limited motion.
- Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Arthritis : Degeneration of the joint between the collarbone and shoulder blade, often resulting in pain during overhead movements.
- Osteolysis of the Distal Clavicle : Also known as "weightlifter's shoulder," this condition involves bone loss at the end of the collarbone due to repetitive stress.
- Post-Traumatic Joint Pain : Ongoing pain or limited movement after a previous shoulder injury or fracture near the AC joint.
- Chronic AC Joint Inflammation : Long-standing swelling or irritation that doesn't respond to non-surgical treatments
- Eligibility Assessment: This surgery is considered for individuals suffering from ongoing shoulder pain due to conditions like arthritis or bone spurs. It's generally recommended when non-surgical treatments, such as physical therapy or medications, don't relieve symptoms.
- Surgical Procedure: A small incision is made near the affected shoulder, allowing the surgeon to access the collarbone. The portion causing pain is carefully removed to improve shoulder mobility and reduce discomfort. In some cases, minimally invasive techniques might be used for a quicker recovery.
- Additional Bone or Tissue Removal: During the procedure, the surgeon may also remove any bone spurs or damaged tissue that could be causing further irritation in the shoulder joint. This helps restore smoother motion and reduces inflammation.
- Closure and Immobilisation: After the procedure, the incision is closed, and a protective dressing is applied. The patient is typically instructed to wear a sling or immobiliser for a specific period to keep the shoulder stable while healing.
- Post-Surgery Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation is key to recovery, beginning with gentle exercises to restore flexibility. As the shoulder heals, physical therapy helps rebuild strength and range of motion. Full recovery typically occurs over several months.
- Arthroscopy
- Debridement
- Synovectomy
- Bursectomy
- Reconstruction
- Labralrepair
- Acromioplasty
Benefits of Distal clavicle excision (resection) include:
- Pain Relief: The surgery reduces chronic pain in the shoulder caused by joint irritation or degeneration.
- Restored Functionality: Patients often regain shoulder strength and can return to regular tasks more comfortably.
- Improved Mobility: It enhances the shoulder’s range of motion, making lifting, reaching, and other movements easier.
- Better Joint Alignment: The procedure corrects joint irregularities, improving stability and overall shoulder mechanics.
- Reduced Inflammation: Removing bone spurs and damaged tissue helps ease swelling and irritation in the AC joint.
- Faster Recovery: When done arthroscopically, it allows for smaller incisions, quicker healing, and minimal scarring.
- Prevents Joint Deterioration: Early intervention can avoid worsening damage to the acromioclavicular joint over time.
The following are the treating team members for Distal clavicle excision (resection):
- Orthopedist
- Surgeon
- Specialist
- Consultant
- Therapist (for rehab)
- Physiotherapist (post-op care)
- Fill out the inquiry form: Please complete the form to provide us with relevant information about your condition.
- Consult with Our Healthcare Expert: One of our qualified specialists will contact you for a consultation.
- Receive a Detailed Treatment Plan: After examining your situation, we will provide you with a detailed treatment plan that includes expert views and cost breakdowns for various choices.
- Choose your preferred option: Choose the therapy option that best suits you.
- Seamless Organisation: We will manage all the details, including visas, flights, accommodations, and transfers, for a stress-free journey.
