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.
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my web site thus i came to “return the favor”.I am trying to find things to improve my web site!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be actually something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!
I’ve been absent for a while, but now I remember why I used to love this blog. Thanks , I will try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your web site?
This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your fantastic post. Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks!
I have been exploring for a bit for any high-quality articles or weblog posts on this sort of space . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this site. Studying this info So i¡¦m happy to exhibit that I’ve a very good uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I so much undoubtedly will make sure to do not omit this website and give it a look on a continuing basis.
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly return.
You made some nice points there. I did a search on the issue and found most individuals will go along with with your blog.
My brother recommended I might like this blog. He was totally right. This post truly made my day. You cann’t imagine simply how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!
I’ve been surfing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be much more useful than ever before.
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is great blog. An excellent read. I’ll definitely be back.
I think this is one of the most important info for me. And i am glad reading your article. But wanna remark on few general things, The web site style is perfect, the articles is really nice : D. Good job, cheers
Normally I do not learn article on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very pressured me to try and do it! Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thank you, quite nice post.
great post, very informative. I’m wondering why the opposite specialists of this sector do not notice this. You should proceed your writing. I am sure, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!
I not to mention my pals appeared to be reading the great pointers from your web blog and so immediately I got an awful feeling I never thanked the web blog owner for those techniques. The women had been joyful to read through all of them and now have in reality been taking advantage of those things. Thanks for genuinely indeed thoughtful as well as for getting certain wonderful themes millions of individuals are really eager to be informed on. My personal sincere apologies for not expressing gratitude to you earlier.
Attractive part of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to say that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing for your feeds and even I achievement you get entry to persistently rapidly.|
If you are going for finest contents like myself, just visit this site all the time because it gives feature contents, thanks|
Hi there! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I really enjoy reading your articles. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that cover the same subjects? Thanks a ton!|
Amazing! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a entirely different topic but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Excellent choice of colors!|
Thank you for any other magnificent post. The place else could anyone get that kind of information in such an ideal means of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I’m on the look for such information.
I think this is one of the most vital info for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But wanna remark on few general things, The website style is perfect, the articles is really excellent : D. Good job, cheers