All You Need To Know About Clavicle Fractures
Your clavicle, or “collarbone”, plays an important role in the positioning and function of your arm. It is the main connection of your shoulder girdle to the rest of your body. Because of the collarbone’s length and vulnerable location lying just under the skin of the shoulder, it is often at risk for injury. Clavicle fractures are some of the most common fractures treated by orthopaedic doctors. Of note, the clavicle is the last bone in the body to stop growing – often at up to 25 years of age. As a result of this prolonged growth, the clavicle has excellent healing potential, and most clavicle fractures can be treated non-operatively by simply allowing the bones to mend. However, there are some types of clavicle fractures that are best treated surgically. The clavicle is critical in providing length and contour to the shoulder which allows muscles around the shoulder girdle to function effectively. Fractures that cause significant shortening or mal-alignment of the clavicle can cause weakness in the shoulder or risk of “nonunion” or incomplete healing of the fracture leading to chronic pain.
Risk Factors for Clavicle Fractures
- Falls – either directly on the shoulder or onto an outstretched hand attempting to “break the fall.”
- Direct blow – any forceful blow to the clavicle (i.e. – falling object, lacrosse stick) can cause a fracture due to the little muscle or soft tissue protection to the bone.
- Osteoporosis, or low bone quality
Symptoms of Clavicle Fractures
- Difficulty moving one or both arms. It may be impossible to raise the arm at all and attempts may cause a grinding or crackling noise.
- There may be some pain emanating from the site of the break, even without moving.
- A swollen bump above the site of the break. May be visible beneath skin.
- Swelling and bruising of the clavicle.
- A sagging or hanging shoulder.
Treatment of Clavicle Fractures
- A clavicle fracture is treated differently dependent upon how severe the break is and where it is broken. The clavicle most often breaks cleanly in the middle. This type of fracture usually heals within 6-8 weeks and is treated by:
- Sling to immobilize and support the arm during healing.
- Pain medication to reduce any pain the person is experiencing.
- Ice to limit swelling and help with the pain.
- Physical therapy after healing or towards the end of healing to help regain full motion and strengthen surrounding muscles.
- Surgery is reserved for patients with significant separation of the bone ends, shortening of the bone due to overlap of the fracture ends, and fractures creating multiple pieces. These types of injuries are at risk to heal in positions that limit full shoulder function, or are at risk of not healing which causes significant pain with attempts at using the arm.
- If you have sustained a clavicle injury, it is best to seek consultation with a orthopaedic specialist to review the nature of the injury and determine the best course of treatment in order to maximize your outcome from this very common injury.
Awesome post. I am a normal visitor of your site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the nice site. I will be a frequent visitor for a really long time.
That is a great tip especially to those new to the blogosphere. Simple but very accurate information… Many thanks for sharing this one. A must read post!|
Awesome write-up. I am a regular visitor of your website and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the excellent site. I’ll be a frequent visitor for a long time.
Awesome write-up. I am a normal visitor of your web site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the nice site. I will be a frequent visitor for a really long time.
wonderful issues altogether, you simply received a logo new reader. What may you suggest in regards to your submit that you simply made a few days ago? Any positive?
Hmm it looks like your site ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to everything. Do you have any tips and hints for beginner blog writers? I’d genuinely appreciate it.|
Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed! Very helpful information particularly the last part 🙂 I care for such info much. I was seeking this certain info for a very long time. Thank you and good luck.|
Hello there. I found your site by means of Google while looking for a comparable subject, your site came up. It appears good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to visit then.
Awesome write-up. I’m a normal visitor of your site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the excellent site. I will be a regular visitor for a really long time.
I don’t even understand how I ended up right here, however I assumed this submit was great. I do not realize who you are however certainly you are going to a well-known blogger in case you are not already. Cheers!|
If you want to obtain a great deal from this post then you have to apply these strategies to your won blog.|
I am really loving the theme/design of your website. Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility issues? A small number of my blog audience have complained about my website not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari. Do you have any recommendations to help fix this problem?|
Can I just say what a relief to uncover somebody that actually understands what they are discussing on the net. You actually understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More and more people must look at this and understand this side of the story. I was surprised that you’re not more popular because you most certainly have the gift.
Awesome post. I am a regular visitor of your website and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the excellent site. I will be a frequent visitor for a long time.
Awesome write-up. I am a regular visitor of your web site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the excellent site. I will be a frequent visitor for a long time.
Awesome post. I am a normal visitor of your website and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the excellent site. I’ll be a regular visitor for a long time.
Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossip and web stuff and this is really frustrating. A good site with interesting content, this is what I need. Thanks for making this web-site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?
Hiya, I am really glad I have found this info. Today bloggers publish only about gossip and web stuff and this is actually frustrating. A good blog with exciting content, that is what I need. Thank you for making this website, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?
Piece of writing writing is also a excitement, if you be familiar with after that you can write if not it is complex to write.|
I know this web page provides quality depending posts and additional data, is there any other web page which presents these things in quality?|