Collarbone with plate

[brumac2]

I broke my collar bone last April 1, the joke was on me. Had to get surgery and a 4 inch titanium plate with 8 screws to put it all back together again. All seems well but I would like to get the plate out as it interfers with wearing a pack. It is not so bad in the winter with all the clothing on but it is a bummer with a pack while biking. One of the screw heads is raised and the end of the plate in under the pack strap. These areas tend to get a little rubbed. Any thoughts on the risk/benefits of getting surgical appliances out.

[pedalbiker]

Similar experience, about 9 years ago broke collar bone and had plate installed to speed recovery. For work I carry a lot of rigging gear and tool bags on that shoulder so about 3 years ago had the plate removed. Recovery after removal seemed to take longer than the original surgery. That shoulder still aches, my guess is arthritis related to the trauma the shoulder suffered, surgeon warned me that was a possability. Would I do it again, yes.