What is Broken collarbone?
A bone fracture could be a break within the clavicle. you've got 2 clavicles, every connecting a shoulder to the higher chest. Broken collarbones are a common unit, usually happening from a fall, sports injury or automobile accident. Although a broken bone is painful, most people don’t want surgery. therapy will facilitate scale back stiffness and build strength.
![]() |
Broken collarbone |
A bone fracture could be a break within the clavicle. you've got 2 clavicles — long, slender, formed bones connecting the shoulders to the higher chest. Broken collarbones are a unit common, creating up to five-hitter of all adult bone fractures.
A clavicle will crack in one place or force an entry of many items (comminuted fracture). The broken items should still line up or might find themselves out of place (displaced fracture).
Medical terms
A broken collarbone, medically referred to as a clavicular fracture, is a break in the long bone located between the sternum and shoulder blades. Clavicular fractures are caused by a direct impact to the shoulder or a fall onto the shoulder or outstretched arm. Symptoms of a broken collarbone include pain and tenderness in the shoulder area, swelling, bruising, and visible deformity in some cases. Depending on the severity of the fracture, treatment may involve immobilization with a sling or cast and physical therapy to restore strength and range of motion.
A broken clavicle may be a common injury, significantly in youngsters and young adults. Your clavicle connects the higher part of your os to your bone. Common causes of a broken clavicle embody falls, sports injuries and trauma from traffic accidents. Infants will generally break their collarbones throughout the birth method.
Seek prompt medical attention for a broken clavicle. Most heal well with ice, pain relievers, a sling, physiotherapy and time. However, an advanced break would possibly need surgery to realign the broken bone and to implant plates, screws or rods into the bone to carry the bone in situ throughout healing.
treatment after surgery Broken collarbone status post-surgery is different from fractured neck of the femur With a broken collarbone you will be at risk for more complications than with a fracture to your hip Thus it is important not to move too quickly in your recovery and that you don't do things that could lead to reinjury such as trying to bend or twist while your bones are still healing Follow these instructions exactly and make sure that you avoid moving or lifting anything heavier than five pounds until all your symptoms have subsided completely If you suspect that something isn't right about your recovery then go see your
The collarbone is a long bone in your upper arm It runs from the base of your neck to the shoulder It's also called the clavicle or clavicle The collar bone supports and connects your shoulder to the rest of your upper body forming part of your shoulder girdle with your scapula (shoulder blade) and sternum (breastbone) Because it isn't covered by muscle and connective tissue it can break more easily than other bones in your body This makes it susceptible to fractures caused by trauma A broken collarbone can range from minor to severe affecting movement
Symptoms Broken collarbone
Signs and symptoms of a broken collarbone include:
Pain that increases with shoulder movement
Swelling
Tenderness
Bruising
A bulge on or near your shoulder
A grinding or crackling sound when you try to move your shoulder
Stiffness or inability to move your shoulder
Newborn children will often not move their arm for several days following a birth-related collarbone fracture.
When to see a doctor
If you notice signs or symptoms of a broken os in you or your kid, or if there is enough pain to forestall traditional use, see a doctor directly. Delays in diagnosing and treatment will cause poor healing.
Causes Broken collarbone
Common causes of a broken collarbone include:
Falls, such as falling onto your shoulder or onto your extended hand.
Sports injuries, such as a direct blow to your shoulder on the field, rink or court.
Vehicle trauma from a car, motorcycle or bike accident.
Birth injury from passing through the birth canal.
Risk factors Broken collarbone
Your bone does not harden utterly till age twenty. This puts kids and teenagers at higher risk of a broken bone. The chance decreases once age twenty, once more} rises again in older folks as bone strength decreases with age.
Complications Broken collarbone
Most broken collarbones heal without difficulty. Complications, when they occur, might include:
Nerve or blood vessel injury. The jagged ends of a broken os might injure close nerves and blood vessels. get immediate medical attention if you notice symptoms or coldness in your arm or hand.
Poor or delayed healing. A severely broken collarbone might heal slowly or incompletely. Poor union of the bones during healing can shorten the bone.
A lump in the bone. As a part of the healing method, the place wherever the bone knits along forms a bony lump. This lump is straightforward to examine as a result of it getting ready to the skin. Most lumps disappear over time, however some areas are permanent.
Osteoarthritis.A fracture that involves the joints that connect your bone to your bone or your sternum would possibly increase your risk of eventually developing inflammatory disease in this joint.
Can you still move your arm with a broken collarbone?
Yes it is possible to move your arm with a broken collarbone When you break a bone in your arm however the fractured ends of the bone can push through the soft tissues that surround them damaging tissue and nerves This damage can cause considerable pain It also makes it more difficult for doctors to realign the bones correctly during surgery And excessive movement of the injured arm before undergoing surgical repair can further complicate matters by potentially causing further injury to the tendons or ligaments surrounding or supporting the joint where your clavicle meets your sternum (breastbone).
Do collarbone breaks need surgery?
When you break your collarbone the bone needs to be put back into place The most common way this is done is by a doctor pushing on each end of the broken bone while someone else presses down on the middle of the bone This straightens out and aligns the bone and then it's usually held in place with some sort of metal or plastic surgical device While doctors think that surgery is a good option for some people other people heal fine without it If you injure your shoulder tell your doctor if there's any history of previous shoulder problems because this might mean you will need surgery.
How long does it take a broken collarbone to fully heal?
The broken bone in your collarbone takes about 6 to 8 weeks to heal Depending on the severity of the break you might only need a sling or a cast for four weeks before the doctor removes it allowing you to start physical therapy to regain strength and flexibility of your arms and shoulders A full recovery can take several months longer than that depending on how serious your injury was.
How do you sleep with a broken collarbone?
Keep a sling handy in case you have to leave your house. The sling will help support the injured shoulder at all times. Use it whenever you can, such as when brushing your teeth, watching TV or even sleeping at night.
According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation a broken collarbone is not as serious as a fractured hip but it can be quite painful If you experience pain in your chest area and swelling around the injured shoulder make an appointment with your doctor so that they can provide treatment options A long-lasting bruise or hematoma may require surgery to drain blood from under the skin and reduce pressure on nerves or tissues surrounding them.
Most broken collarbones can be treated at home However in some cases of severe break a sling may need to be used to stabilize the arm The recurring question is whether patients with such injuries should sleep with the sling on or off According to most experts sleeping with a sling on may reduce pain and promote healing Plus it also provides support to an injured shoulder as you sleep at night What's more? Sleeping in this position also maintains a normal shoulder alignment while avoiding hyperextension of the joint which could lead to premature degeneration of the rotator cuff muscles.
When does a collarbone need surgery?
A broken collarbone is a major injury that can result in permanent damage if the bone isn't set properly Although there are several ways to treat a fractured collarbone surgery is sometimes needed to restore function and relieve pain Surgery is especially necessary for young people who have had the bone broken repeatedly or whose bones heal poorly.
Diagnosis Broken collarbone
During the physical communicating, your doctor can examine the affected space for tenderness, swelling, deformity or AN open wound. X-rays verify the extent of a broken os, pinpoint its location and verify if there is injury to the joints. Your doctor may also suggest a CT scan to urge more-detailed pictures.
If you're thinking that you’ve broken your bone, request immediate medical attention. A aid supplier will:
Ask you to explain what happened.
Examine the world.
Take X-rays of the separated space to verify a broken bone. X-rays can even show precisely wherever the break is, however unhealthy it's and whether or not the other bones burst.
If the aid supplier thinks there’s injury to a joint or artery, you'll get additional tests:
Arteriography/arteriogram, that uses X-rays and dye to ascertain within the arteries.
CT scans, which offer additional careful photos than X-rays.
Ultrasound, that uses sound waves to make photos of what’s happening within the body.
Treatment Broken collarbone
Restricting the movement of any broken bone is crucial to healing. To immobilize a broken bone, you will likely need to wear an associated arm sling.
How long immobilization is required depends on the severity of the injury. Bone union sometimes takes 3 to 6 weeks for kids and 6 to twelve weeks for adults. A newborn's bone that breaks throughout delivery generally heals solely with pain management and careful handling of the baby.
Medications
To reduce pain and inflammation, your doctor would possibly suggest an Associate in Nursing over-the-counter pain reliever. If you've got severe pain, you may like a prescription medication that contains a narcotic for some days.
Therapy
Rehabilitation begins before long once initial treatment. In most cases, it is important to start some motion to attenuate stiffness in your shoulder whereas you are still carrying your sling. Once your sling is removed, your doctor may advocate extra rehabilitation exercises or physiatrics to revive muscle strength, joint motion and adaptability.
Surgery
Surgery may be needed if the broken clavicle has broken through your skin, is severely displaced or is in many items. Broken clavicle surgery sometimes includes inserting fixation devices — plates, screws or rods — to take care of the correct position of your bone throughout healing. Surgical complications, although rare, will embrace infection and lack of bone healing.
- Healthy foods for the musculoskeletal system
- Rehabilitation program and health tips for the musculoskeletal system
Lifestyle and home remedies
Applying ice to the affected area for 20 to 30 minutes every few hours during the first two to three days after a collarbone break can help control pain and swelling.
Preparing for your appointment
Depending on the severity of the break, your GP or the hospital room doctor could suggest that you just or your kid see an associate degree orthopedic medico.
What you can do
It might be helpful to write a list that includes:
Detailed descriptions of your symptoms and the event that caused the injury
Information about past medical problems
All your medications and dietary supplements
Questions you want to ask the doctor
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor will likely ask some of the following questions:
How did the injury occur?
Have you ever had a broken bone?
Have you been diagnosed with weakened bones?
General summary
When you break a collarbone it can be hard to do many things from putting on your own coat to sending an email and playing with your kids The good news is that a doctor can help speed up the healing process for your broken collarbone Just follow these tips:
A broken collarbone, medically referred to as a clavicle fracture, is a common injury that is often caused by a direct fall onto the shoulder or an indirect force that is transferred to the collarbone. Such an injury typically occurs in sports such as football and soccer, where players are vulnerable to contact. Treatment typically includes rest and immobilization in a sling or brace, along with pain medications. Depending on the severity of the break, surgery may be needed to reset the bone pieces, followed by a period of physical therapy to restore strength and mobility to the shoulder.