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.
It’s very straightforward to find out any matter on net as compared to books, as I found this paragraph at this web site.|
Hello it’s me, I am also visiting this website daily, this web page is truly pleasant and the people are really sharing nice thoughts.|
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently fast.|
Awesome write-up. I’m a normal visitor of your site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the nice site. I’ll be a frequent visitor for a long time.
Thank you so much for giving everyone remarkably brilliant chance to read articles and blog posts from this web site. It is often so great plus packed with a lot of fun for me and my office acquaintances to search your web site at least 3 times a week to see the new guides you have got. And of course, we are actually fulfilled for the gorgeous tactics you serve. Certain two tips in this article are ultimately the most efficient we have all ever had.
I really like what you guys tend to be up too. This kind of clever work and reporting! Keep up the fantastic works guys I’ve added you guys to blogroll.|
Hey there. I discovered your blog by means of Google at the same time as searching for a related matter, your site got here up. It appears to be great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.
It’s very simple to find out any topic on net as compared to books, as I found this article at this site.|
Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this information. Today bloggers publish only about gossip and internet stuff and this is actually annoying. A good site with interesting content, that is what I need. Thanks for making this web site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?
First off I would like to say superb blog! I had a quick question in which I’d like to ask if you do not mind. I was interested to find out how you center yourself and clear your mind prior to writing. I have had a difficult time clearing my mind in getting my thoughts out there. I truly do take pleasure in writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are usually wasted just trying to figure out how to begin. Any suggestions or tips? Thanks!|
I for all time emailed this web site post page to all my contacts, since if like to read it next my links will too.|
of course like your web site however you need to take a look at the spelling on quite a few of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very troublesome to inform the reality then again I’ll definitely come again again.|
Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice whilst you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a weblog web site? The account aided me a applicable deal. I had been tiny bit familiar of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept|
Hi there. I found your web site by way of Google even as looking for a comparable matter, your site got here up. It looks good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.
For hottest information you have to pay a quick visit internet and on internet I found this site as a most excellent website for latest updates.|
My spouse and I stumbled over here different website and thought I might as well check things out. I like what I see so now i’m following you. Look forward to finding out about your web page for a second time.|
Hiya, I’m really glad I have found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossip and web stuff and this is actually annoying. A good website with interesting content, that is what I need. Thank you for making this website, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I will certainly return.
Thanks for any other informative website. The place else may just I am getting that type of info written in such an ideal approach? I’ve a challenge that I’m simply now working on, and I’ve been at the look out for such information.|
you’re really a just right webmaster. The website loading velocity is incredible. It kind of feels that you’re doing any unique trick. Furthermore, The contents are masterpiece. you’ve performed a excellent process on this matter!