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.
Good blog you’ve got here.. It’s hard to find high quality writing like yours nowadays. I honestly appreciate people like you! Take care!!
Hi, i believe that i noticed you visited my website so i came to return the choose?.I’m attempting to find things to improve my website!I suppose its adequate to use a few of your concepts!!|
Amazing blog fodpdoss! Do you have any recommendations for aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you recommend starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m completely confused .. Any ideas? Many thanks!
One other important pdodisys aspect is that if you are a mature person, travel insurance intended for pensioners is something you should really think about. The elderly you are, the greater at risk you will be for permitting something negative happen to you while in another country. If you are not necessarily covered by many comprehensive insurance, you could have several serious challenges. Thanks for expressing your ideas on this web site.
I have been browsing on-line greater than three hours these days, yet I never discovered any fascinating article like yours. It is pretty worth sufficient for me. In my view, if all website owners and bloggers made excellent content material as you probably did, the web shall be a lot more useful than ever before.|
This is a very good tip especially to those new to the blogosphere. Simple but very precise information… Many thanks for sharing this one. A must read post!
An interesting discussion is definitely worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you need to write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo matter but generally folks don’t talk about such issues. To the next! Best wishes!!
I want to to thank you for this good read!! I definitely enjoyed every bit of it. I’ve got you bookmarked to look at new things you post…
A lot of thanks for all your labor on this web site. Debby takes pleasure in carrying out investigations and it’s really obvious why. Most people hear all about the compelling method you deliver both useful and interesting tips and hints by means of this website and inspire contribution from other people about this area of interest while our daughter is really understanding a lot. Have fun with the remaining portion of the new year. You are performing a pretty cool job.
Thanks for your fodpdoss writing fodpdoss. I would also love to say that your health insurance broker also works best for the benefit of the coordinators of the group insurance cover. The health insurance agent is given a long list of benefits sought by anyone or a group coordinator. Such a broker can is find individuals as well as coordinators which usually best complement those wants. Then he shows his ideas and if the two of you agree, the actual broker formulates a binding agreement between the two parties.
I really like what you guys are usually up too. This type of clever work and coverage! Keep up the awesome works guys I’ve added you guys to blogroll.|