Description

A clavicle fracture is a common injury. The collarbone, also known as the collarbone, connects the scapula to the sternum. The common causes of a broken collarbone include falls, sports and car accidents. Babies sometimes break their collarbones while that of having been born.

Seek medical help quickly for a clavicle fracture. Most heal well with ice, pain relievers, a sling, physical therapy, and time. Some breaks may require surgery to put plates, screws or rods into the bone to hold the parts in place during the healing process.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a clavicle fracture are:

  • Pain that increases when you move the shoulder.
  • Swelling, tenderness, or bruising.
  • Of the skin during the holidays can seem like a tent when gently pinches.
  • A blow on or near the shoulder.
  • A grinding or crackling sound when moving the shoulder.
  • The rigidity, or not being able to move your shoulder.

Newborns often do not move the arm for days after breaking his collarbone during birth, and will cry if someone moves the arm.

When to see a doctor

If you experience symptoms of a clavicle fracture or enough pain to avoid that with the arm, as usual, consult a health care provider immediately. Waiting to be treated can lead to poor healing.

Causes

The common causes of a broken collarbone include:

  • Falls, such as a fall onto the shoulder or on an outstretched arm.
  • Sports injuries, such as a direct blow to the shoulder in the field, track or court.
  • Traffic accidents, from a vehicle, motorcycle or bike lock.
  • Birth injuries, usually from a difficult vaginal delivery.

Risk factors

Adolescents and children are at greater risk of a fracture of the clavicle that they are adults. The risk decreases after the age of 20 years. Then it rises again in the elderly because they lose bone strength with age.

Complications

Most clavicle fractures heal without difficulty. Complications, when they occur, may include:

  • The nerves or the blood vessels of the injury. Rarely, the jagged ends of a fracture of the clavicle may cause damage to nearby nerves and blood vessels. Seek immediate medical attention for sudden numbness or cold in the arm or hand.
  • Poor or slow healing. A bad clavicle fracture may heal slowly or not all the way. Poor of the union of the bones during healing can shorten the bone.
  • A lump in the bone. As part of the healing process, the place where the bone is joined to form a bony lump. The package is easy to see because it is close to the skin. The majority of the tumors disappear with time, but not all.
  • Osteoarthritis. A fracture that involves the joints that connect the clavicle to the scapula or sternum could increase the risk of subsequent development of arthritis in the joint.

Diagnosis

During the physical exam, a health care provider inspects the area of tenderness, swelling, or an open wound. The X-rays to show where the break is, how bad it is and if the joints are injured. A ct scan can provide more detail of the images.

Treatment

For healing any broken bone must be kept still. People who have a fracture of the clavicle usually need to wear a sling. Bone healing typically takes 3 to 6 weeks for children and 6 to 12 weeks for adults.

A newborn child of the collarbone that is broken during delivery typically heals within two weeks with only the control of pain and care in the management of the baby.

Medications

A pain medicine that you can buy without a prescription may be all that is needed to relieve the pain. Some people may need a prescription medication with a narcotic for a couple of days. Because narcotics can be a habit, it is important to use them for only a short period of time and only as directed by a health care professional.

Therapy

Exercises to restore movement to begin shortly after the beginning of treatment. It is important to start to move in order to decrease the stiffness. Later, other exercises or physical therapy may help the joint to move better and build muscle strength.

Surgery

Surgery may be needed if the collar has broken through the skin, is out of place or is in several pieces. Clavicle fracture surgery usually involves the use of plates, screws or rods to hold the bone in place while it heals. Surgical complications are rare but can include infection.

Children and adolescents under the age of 16 rarely need surgery because they heal more quickly than adults.

Lifestyle and home remedies

The application of ice to the area for 20 to 30 minutes every few hours during the first 2 to 3 days after a collarbone break can help control pain and swelling.

Preparing for your appointment

Depending on the severity of the fracture, your health care provider or a provider in the emergency room could recommend a surgeon who treats the injuries in the bones, also called an orthopedic surgeon.

What you can do

It may be helpful to write a list that includes:

  • Details about the symptoms, what caused the injury and when it happened.
  • Information about the medical problems of the past.
  • All the medications, vitamins and dietary supplements that you take, including over-dose.
  • Questions for the health care professional.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may do:

  • Ever broken a bone before?
  • You have said that you have weakening of bones?
Symptoms and treatment of clavicle fracture