Most clavicle fractures occur when a fall onto the shoulder or an outstretched arm puts enough pressure on the bone that it snaps or breaks. On the first day of your injury, apply the ice for 20 minutes of every hour while awake. However, these vital structures are rarely injured when a fracture occurs. If your arm, shoulder, or collarbone begins to hurt, stop and rest. Figure 6. Lung injuries are associated with clavicle fractures. More strenuous exercises will be started gradually once the fracture is completely healed. J Bone Joint Surg Am. Clavicle fractures, or broken collarbones, are among the most common broken bones that occur.They represent about five percent of all broken bones and are especially common in younger, more active adults. 10 Broken Collar Bone Symptoms. The collar bone, also known as the clavicle, connects the shoulder joint to the sternum. By far the most common problem with surgery is that many people are bothered by the hardware used to repair their broken clavicle. If the broken ends of the bones have significantly shifted out of place or where the bone has broken through the skin (compound fracture), your doctor will recommend surgery. DO NOT take these medicines for the first 24 hours after your injury. Skeletal Trauma: Basic Science, Management, and Reconstruction. Risk factors for nonunion after nonoperative treatment of displaced midshaft fractures of the clavicle. Roberts & Hedges' Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care. Paladini P, Pellegrini A, Merolla G, Campi F, Porcellini G. Treatment of clavicle fractures. In: Browner BD, Jupiter JB, Krettek C, Anderson PA, eds. Mckee RC, Whelan DB, Schemitsch EH, Mckee MD. When contemplating surgery, the possible disadvantages also need to be considered. Be aware that although opioids help relieve pain after surgery, they are a narcotic and can be addictive. Most clavicle fractures can be treated without surgery. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 49. A broken collarbone can be very painful and can make it hard to move your arm. DO NOT put the bag of ice directly on your skin. Updated by: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Do this for 2 days or longer. You have been diagnosed with a broken collarbone. It is less common over the age of 20, but still accounts for 2-5% of adult fractures. Stuart Hershman, MD, is a board-certified spine surgeon. URL of this page: //medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000529.htm. When you restart an activity after a broken collarbone, build up slowly. If other bones are broken, your doctor may order a computerized tomography (CT) scan to see the fractures in better detail. Aug 3, 2019. There are steps you can take to speed your healing, but managing these injuries with nonsurgical treatment is often the best course of action. While the fracture heals, a lump may develop along your collarbone. If this happens, the hardware can be removed after the fracture has healed. Follow your health care provider's instructions on how to care for your broken bone. Management of common dislocations. During the procedure, the bone fragments are first repositioned (reduced) into their normal alignment. 2017;88(4):434-439. doi:10.1080/17453674.2017.1321351, Murray IR, Foster CJ, Eros A, Robinson CM. 2013;95(13):1153-8. doi:10.2106/JBJS.K.01275, Liu PC, Hsieh CH, Chen JC, Lu CC, Chuo CY, Chien SH. However, orthopedic surgeons are recommending surgery more commonly as a means to provide more predictable healing timelines and recovery of function. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized in writing by ADAM Health Solutions. Once your fracture has completely healed, you can safely return to sports activities. Surgery typically involves putting the broken pieces of bone back into position and preventing them from moving out of place until they are healed. Fractures and dislocations of clavicle. In these people, risks of complications may outweigh the benefits of surgery, even in situations where the fracture is badly displaced. Occasionally, a person with a broken collarbone also experiences labored breathing, which may be a sign of an injured lung. Can Electric Stimulation Accelerate Fracture Healing? Some factors that may be considered include if the fracture is in the dominant arm, the age of the patient, the patient's overall health and function, and the likelihood of nonunion of the fracture. Over time, bruising may show up around the fracture site and even into the chest and arm. Healing may take longer in diabetics or in people who smoke or use tobacco products. Medicine (Baltimore). Holding an ice pack to the injured area can also help reduce the pain and swelling. Most often, a plate and screws are placed along the bone to hold it in position, and these can typically be felt under the skin. Clavicle Fracture Treatment: When Is Surgery Necessary? Broken Collarbone Treatment at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute Rothman Orthopaedic Institute is proud to offer injured mountain bikers the most effective broken collarbone treatments available. Not aligned (meaning the broken ends do not meet), you may need surgery. This should be discussed with your surgeon. Over time, the may become smaller and less noticeable, but it tends to persist. This is the procedure most often used to treat clavicle fractures. Clavicle fractures are most often caused by a direct blow to the shoulder. What Are the Signs & Symptoms of a Broken Collarbone? is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics. Don’t give aspirin to children under the age of 16. Your provider may prescribe a stronger medicine if you need it. Symptoms of a mild broken collarbone include: Pain where the broken bone is; Having a hard time moving your shoulder or arm, and pain when you do move them; A shoulder that seems to be sagging This could injure your skin. Applying an ice pack can help relieve your pain. There are risks associated with any type of surgery. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. In: Roberts JR, Custalow CB, Thomsen TW, eds. He specializes in spinal deformity and complex spinal reconstruction. :675-84. doi:10.2106/JBJS.J.01364, Mills LA, Aitken SA, Simpson AHRW the fracture ( broken ends do not more... Are then held in place with special metal hardware procedure most often used to repair clavicle... Of fractures are not common, but there are risks associated with any of! Under a general anaesthetic is only needed if the bones are: if you will. 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