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.
wonderful points altogether, you simply received a logo new reader. What could you suggest about your put up that you just made some days in the past? Any positive?|
Hello there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it is really informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels. I’ll appreciate if you continue this in future. Numerous people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!|
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 regular visitor for a long time.
Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossip and internet stuff and this is actually irritating. A good blog with interesting content, that’s what I need. Thanks for making this site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?
Wow, fantastic blog format! How long have you been running a blog for? you make blogging glance easy. The whole look of your web site is wonderful, as smartly as the content!
you are in point of fact a good webmaster. The site loading speed is incredible. It kind of feels that you are doing any distinctive trick. Moreover, The contents are masterwork. you have performed a wonderful activity in this matter!|
Hello there. I discovered your site by means of Google at the same time as looking for a similar subject, your website came up. It seems to be good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.
Hello there. I found your blog by way of Google while looking for a comparable topic, your website came up. It seems good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to visit then.
Hey there, You have done a fantastic job. I’ll certainly digg it and individually recommend to my friends. I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this web site.|
Awesome write-up. I’m a normal visitor of your site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the excellent site. I’ll be a regular visitor for a really long time.
Hey there. I found your site by means of Google at the same time as searching for a related matter, your website came up. It seems to be good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to visit then.
What’s up friends, its enormous piece of writing on the topic of tutoringand completely defined, keep it up all the time.|
Hey there. I found your website by the use of Google whilst looking for a similar matter, your site got here up. It looks good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to visit then.
I am sure this article has touched all the internet people, its really really good piece of writing on building up new weblog.|
I just want to mention I’m newbie to blogging and definitely liked you’re blog site. Almost certainly I’m want to bookmark your site . You absolutely have remarkable stories. With thanks for sharing with us your web page.
Thanks very interesting blog!|
Hi there, after reading this awesome post i am too glad to share my knowledge here with colleagues.|
What’s up to all, it’s really a fastidious for me to visit this website, it includes important Information.|
Hiya, I am really glad I have found this info. Today bloggers publish just about gossip and web stuff and this is actually frustrating. A good web site with exciting content, this is what I need. Thanks for making this web site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?
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.