Concierge upper-limb orthopaedics · London
Private clavicle fixation in London, by a consultant upper-limb surgeon.
A proper ORIF of the clavicle by a surgeon who does this regularly — with an honest word on whether your fracture actually earns fixation, and a theatre and anaesthetic that fit the job.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A consultant upper-limb orthopaedic surgeon
Not a generalist and not a trainee. A named upper-limb surgeon who fixes clavicles regularly, in a proper theatre.
- 02
Fixation only when it changes the outcome
Most clavicle fractures heal well in a sling. We say so plainly, and only recommend surgery when the fracture pattern earns it.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private clavicle fixation costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and imaging, and we quote firm figures across two or three surgeons.
In short
A mid-shaft clavicle ORIF in our network: £6,500–£9,500, home the same day.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Discharge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clavicle ORIF — plate fixation (mid-shaft) | £6,500–£9,500 | 60–90 min | Same-day discharge |
| Clavicle ORIF — anteroinferior plate | £6,800–£9,800 | 75–90 min | Same-day discharge |
| Intramedullary nail (selected mid-shaft) | £6,500–£9,000 | 60 min | Same-day discharge |
| Distal clavicle — hook plate | £7,200–£10,500 | 75–90 min | Same-day discharge |
| Clavicle non-union revision with bone graft | £8,500–£12,500 | 90–120 min | Same-day / overnight |
| Hardware removal (after union) | £3,200–£5,500 | 45–60 min | Same-day discharge |
| Consultation only | £220–£400 | 30 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic, by which surgeon does the case, by the construct chosen, and by whether a bone graft or hardware removal is needed. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
The right fracture, the right surgeon, the right construct.
Two failures dominate private clavicle care: fixation offered when a sling would do, and fixation done by someone who does not do it often. We fix both before you commit.
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Not sure it needs surgery?
A displacement of under 2 cm in a simple pattern usually heals well in a sling. We say so before recommending fixation.
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Worried about the surgeon?
A named consultant upper-limb surgeon who fixes clavicles regularly — not an occasional case for a general orthopaedic list.
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Non-union or ugly bump?
Revision fixation with a bone graft is a real subspecialty. We route these cases to the small number of surgeons who do them well.
The journey
From enquiry to recovery — what happens, in order.
One clinician from first message to twelve-week review — including the rehab window.
Phase 1 · Before your procedure
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
A few hours at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You send us the imaging
A short, confidential form with your X-ray or CT. Mechanism of injury, hand dominance, sport and work.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: whether the fracture pattern earns fixation, which construct fits, and an indicative price. If a sling is the right answer, we say so.
- 03
Before
We arrange the appointment
Usually within one to two weeks — sooner for skin tenting or an open fracture. Any blood-thinning medication is reviewed and you are told how to prepare.
- 04
On the day
Arrival at the clinic
Arrival, consent and a chat with the surgeon and anaesthetist. General anaesthetic in almost every case, day-case.
- 05
On the day
The fixation itself
Around 60 to 90 minutes in a proper theatre. Superior or anteroinferior plate, or an intramedullary nail for selected mid-shaft fractures.
- 06
On the day
Home the same day
A broad-arm sling, written aftercare and home within a few hours. You will need someone to collect you after the anaesthetic.
- 07
After
Recovery and review
Sling for around two weeks, active-assisted range of motion from weeks two to six, and a return to contact sport around twelve weeks. A wound and X-ray review is arranged.
Typical end-to-end: 1–2 weeks from enquiry to fixation. Return to contact sport: ~12 weeks.
When it helps
When clavicle fixation is the right step.
The fracture patterns that reliably do better with surgery, plus the one presentation that means A&E rather than an outpatient appointment.
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Displaced mid-shaft fracture
A middle-third clavicle fracture shortened by more than 2 cm — the pattern most likely to malunite and stay symptomatic in a sling.
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Comminuted fracture
Three or more fragments, often with a vertical butterfly fragment — a well-recognised indication for plate fixation.
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Skin tenting or open fracture
A sharp fragment threatening the skin, or bone already through the skin — surgical, not a sling decision.
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Neurovascular injury
Signs of brachial plexus stretch or subclavian vessel injury alongside the fracture — urgent fixation and vascular review.
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Floating shoulder
Clavicle fracture combined with an ipsilateral scapular neck fracture — the shoulder girdle is unstable and fixation is usually needed.
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Distal clavicle Neer II or V
Fractures of the outer end that disrupt the coracoclavicular ligaments — high non-union rate if left alone, hook plate or similar construct preferred.
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Symptomatic non-union or malunion
Pain, weakness or a visible bump six months or more after the injury — revision fixation, often with a bone graft.
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Red flag: open fracture or pale hand
Bone through the skin, an expanding swelling, or a cold, pale, pulseless hand is an emergency — go to A&E the same day.
Construct options
A plate is not the only option.
What each construct on the table actually involves — and which fits which fracture pattern.
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Superior plate (mid-shaft)
A pre-contoured plate on the top of the clavicle — biomechanically strong and the workhorse construct for displaced mid-shaft fractures.
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Anteroinferior plate
Plate on the front of the clavicle — screws directed away from vessels and lungs, and the plate is often less prominent under the skin.
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Intramedullary nail
A titanium or steel pin down the shaft, through a small incision. Suits simple, transverse mid-shaft patterns in selected patients.
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Hook plate (distal clavicle)
A plate with a small hook that sits under the acromion — the standard construct for unstable outer-end fractures. Usually removed once healed.
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Distal locking plate (no hook)
A pre-contoured plate for the outer end that avoids sub-acromial hardware — useful when there is enough distal bone to hold locking screws.
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Non-union revision with bone graft
Fresh fixation with an iliac crest or synthetic graft when a previous fracture has failed to heal — done by surgeons who do this regularly.
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Hardware removal
A separate, smaller operation once the fracture has healed and the plate or hook is causing irritation.
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Non-operative (sling)
The right answer for most non-displaced or minimally displaced fractures — a broad-arm sling for two to three weeks and progressive rehab.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of upper-limb surgeons, we picked them.
Consultant upper-limb orthopaedic surgeons across central, north, west and south London. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every surgeon in our network.
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Consultant upper-limb orthopaedic surgeons, not general trainees
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Regular clavicle fixation practice — not an occasional case
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Non-operative management discussed honestly before recommending surgery
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On-site imaging and a proper day-case theatre with a consultant anaesthetist
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards — honestly.
Clavicle fixation is a safe, well-established day-case operation. The things worth planning for are the rehab window, the return-to-sport date, and knowing which risks are real and which are rare.
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Non-union
Around 1 in 20 fixed clavicles fail to unite fully — lower than the non-union rate seen with sling treatment of the highest-risk patterns.
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Hardware failure
A plate or screw can loosen or break, particularly if union is delayed. A repeat X-ray and, sometimes, revision fixation is needed.
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Wound infection
Superficial infection settles with a short course of antibiotics. Deep infection is rare but usually needs a return to theatre and hardware removal.
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Brachial plexus injury
Rare, but the nerves run just under the clavicle. A careful pre-operative examination and image-guided drilling minimise the risk.
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Subclavian vessel injury
The subclavian artery and vein sit directly under the bone — vanishingly rare with modern technique but taken seriously in every case.
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Pneumothorax
The pleura of the lung lies close by. A very small risk of a punctured lung is one reason anteroinferior plating angles screws away from the chest.
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Adjacent joint stiffness
The shoulder and elbow stiffen quickly in a sling — early active-assisted range of motion, guided by a physiotherapist, prevents this.
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Refracture
A refracture can happen if contact sport is resumed too early. Twelve weeks is the usual, non-negotiable window before tackling or falling risk.
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Hardware prominence
Around one in four patients notices the plate under the skin and eventually opts for a small removal operation once healed.
Reading your operation note
Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever construct was used, the note the surgeon sends you keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Surgical language is precise and can read coldly — we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the note before your review, just ask.
- 01 Header
Fracture pattern and construct chosen
Which part of the clavicle broke, how displaced or comminuted it was, and which plate or nail was used to fix it.
- 02 Technique
Anaesthetic and surgical technique
Approach used (superior or anteroinferior), screw configuration, and any bone graft or supplementary suture used.
- 03 Findings
Neurovascular check and reduction
Notes on nerve and vascular exam before and after, quality of reduction on the on-table X-ray, and any surprises found at operation.
- 04 Impression
Rehab plan and return to activity
Read this first: sling duration, when to start range of motion, when driving is safe, and the earliest date for contact sport.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Clavicle fixation is almost always covered when it is clinically indicated. We confirm cover with your insurer before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about clavicle fixation.
Quick answers on when surgery is needed, which construct fits, driving, sport, and hardware removal.
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Do all clavicle fractures need surgery?
No. Most non-displaced or minimally displaced middle-third fractures heal well in a sling. Fixation is offered when the fracture is displaced by more than 2 cm, comminuted, tenting the skin, open, associated with nerve or vascular injury, part of a floating shoulder, or an unstable distal (Neer II or V) pattern.
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Superior plate or anteroinferior plate — which is better?
Both work. Superior plating is biomechanically the strongest and remains the workhorse. Anteroinferior plating angles screws away from vessels and the lung and is often less prominent under the skin. The choice comes down to the fracture pattern and surgeon preference.
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Can I have a nail instead of a plate?
Sometimes. An intramedullary nail suits simple, transverse mid-shaft fractures in patients who prefer a smaller scar and less hardware. It is not appropriate for comminuted or distal fractures.
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How much does a private clavicle fixation cost in London?
Roughly £6,500–£9,500 for a mid-shaft ORIF, £7,200–£10,500 for a distal hook plate, and £8,500–£12,500 for a non-union revision with bone graft. We confirm a firm figure across two or three surgeons within one working day.
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When can I drive after a clavicle fixation?
Usually around three to four weeks, once you are out of the sling and can control the wheel comfortably and safely in an emergency. Your insurer must be able to see you meet the DVLA standard.
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When can I go back to contact sport?
Twelve weeks is the usual, non-negotiable window before rugby, football, martial arts or anything with a real fall or tackle risk. Cycling on the road waits until you can absorb a fall — usually a similar timeframe.
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Will the plate need to be removed?
Not routinely. Around one in four patients notices the plate under the skin and eventually opts for a small removal operation once the fracture has fully united — usually a year or more after the original surgery. Hook plates are almost always removed.
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What is a non-union and how is it fixed?
A non-union is a fracture that has failed to heal at six months or more. It is treated with revision fixation — usually a fresh plate combined with a bone graft, often from the iliac crest — by surgeons who do this regularly.
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Is a clavicle fixation done under general anaesthetic?
Yes, almost always. It is a day-case operation — you come in, have the surgery under GA, spend a couple of hours in recovery, and go home the same day with someone to collect you.
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When should I go to A&E rather than a clinic?
Bone through the skin, an expanding swelling over the collarbone, a cold or pale hand, or new weakness or numbness in the arm are all reasons to go to A&E the same day rather than wait for an outpatient appointment.
Sources reviewed
- British Orthopaedic Association. BOAST — Management of clavicle fractures.
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Clavicle fracture — patient information.
- AO Foundation. Clavicle — surgical techniques and principles.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Non-complex fractures — assessment and management (NG38).
Last reviewed 2026-07-30 · Next review 2027-07-30 · Reading time ~6 min · Reviewed by Pulse Atlas Editorial Board, .
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In practice, in London
Why private clavicle fixation moves differently in London
For clavicle fixation, the private London route is mostly about consultant fit and hospital choice rather than raw waiting time. The NHS route for clavicle fixation is thorough, but the queue is real. Most patients we speak with have been told to expect anywhere from a handful of weeks to several months, depending on their local trust and how the referral is graded. Going private in London usually collapses that window to a matter of days — often the same week if the diary allows. It isn’t about jumping a queue so much as buying time back while you still have the flexibility to plan around it.
Once you’re in the private system for clavicle fixation, the pace picks up noticeably. Consultant slots run to time, imaging is usually available in the same building or a short walk away, and the report comes back typed and detailed. It’s the coordination that tends to feel different — one person on the other end of the phone, not a switchboard. For clavicle fixation in particular, we bias towards consultants who do this every week rather than every month.
Fit matters more than people expect. For clavicle fixation, the right consultant depends on what you actually need — a second opinion, a definitive diagnosis, a bridge into treatment, or reassurance that nothing’s being missed. We match on that, not on who has the biggest brochure. If a test isn’t the right next step, we’ll say so before you book anything.
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