The clavicle or collarbone is the slightly S-shaped bone you can see between your neck and shoulder. It runs horizontally from the rib cage (sternum) to the shoulder blade (scapula). It basically connects the arm to the body and supports the shoulders.
However, since the collarbone is located in a vulnerable position with several muscular forces applied to it, it can easily suffer from fractures. In fact, studies consider clavicle fractures to be a common condition, accounting for almost 10% of all reported fractures in the ER.
In this post, we will explain the causes and symptoms of a collarbone fracture and how a shoulder specialist in Miami can treat this injury.
What causes a broken collarbone?
A clavicle fracture refers to a break in any portion of the collarbone. It typically affects the midshaft or the middle part of the collarbone because it’s composed of thin segments without attaching ligaments. A clavicle fracture can be classified depending on the nature of the injury:
- Comminuted fracture – a bone that’s broken into several fragments or pieces.
- Displaced fracture – the bone breaks into two or more fragments while forming a gap or moving out of alignment.
Most collarbone fractures happen when there’s a severe force or direct blow applied to the shoulders. Some examples include hard falls onto an outstretched hand or during a car collision. This injury is also common in contact sports and other activities, such as football, snowboarding, and hockey.
What are the symptoms of clavicle fracture?
Any kind of collarbone fracture can cause severe pain and movement difficulties to the patient. Some of the other signs and symptoms you might experience include the following:
- Swelling, bruising, and tenderness in the collarbone area.
- A visible deformity or bump in the skin where the break occurred.
- Pain when moving or lifting the arm.
- Sagging of the shoulders on the affected area.
A broken collarbone is a severe injury that needs the immediate attention of an orthopedic specialist. When it happens, call emergency services or visit your trusted physician.
While waiting for emergency services, you can perform first aid practices to help with the pain and prevent further damage. Some examples of the things you can do include icing the area for at least 20 minutes, putting the injured arm on a sling to immobilize it and taking OTC pain medications (e.g., ibuprofen, Tylenol).
How to diagnose a collarbone fracture?
Doctors can easily spot a broken collarbone since there’s a visible skin “tenting” at the fracture site and limited shoulder mobility. However, they will still need to perform specific examinations to confirm their diagnosis and see the extent of the injury, such as:
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- Physical examination – this includes reviewing your medical history, symptoms, and how the injury occurred. Doctors may also conduct simple pressure or mobility tests to see the extent of the damage.
- Imaging tests – your physician may order an X-ray or CT scan to determine the location and severity of the injuries. They may also do this to identify additional injuries in the surrounding muscles, nerves, and blood vessels.
What are the treatment options?
Once a diagnosis is confirmed, your doctor will begin your treatment plan. Depending on the extent of your clavicle fracture, it may be non-surgical or surgical.
Non-surgical treatment
Generally, non-displaced fractures in the midshaft clavicle only require conservative management techniques to heal and recover. This includes supportive and reductive methods, such as:
- Placement of a sling or brace depending on the severity of the fracture
- Taking painkilling medications.
- Modifying activities to prevent further damage to the injured shoulder, such as avoiding exercise and heavy lifting.
- Attending physical therapy sessions to prevent stiffness and improve the healing process.
- Scheduling regular follow-up care with your doctor to avoid complications and ensure that the fracture is healing correctly.
Fractures in children will take at least four to eight weeks before it completely heals, while adults may take ten to twelve weeks. However, it’s essential to wait for your doctor’s advice before returning to your day-to-day activities to avoid re-injury.
Surgical treatment
Open fractures, displacement or severe angulation, tenting or break in the skin, nerve, and blood vessel damage require surgical interventions. One common surgical procedure orthopedic specialists use to treat complex fractures is open reduction and internal fixation or ORIF surgery.
This major operation is an open surgical procedure that involves realigning the bones into their normal position and then using screws, plates, rods, and sutures to hold them in place. Once the bones completely heal, doctors do not routinely remove the special hardware unless they cause discomfort or irritation.
Your physician may require you to practice these management techniques to augment the healing process following the procedure.
- Over-the-counter or prescription painkillers for pain management
- Activity modification
- Using assistive devices, such as a wheelchair, crutches, and sling.
- Rehabilitative exercises and at-home therapy plan
Generally, an ORIF surgery takes at least three to twelve months of recovery time. However, it still depends on the severity of the fracture, the age of the patient, and their current health condition.
Collarbone Fracture Repair and Management at South Florida Orthopedics
Most collarbone fractures can heal quickly, given proper treatment and management techniques. So, if you have an injured clavicle or any other part of the musculoskeletal system, then we can help by giving you the immediate care you need.
South Florida International Orthopaedics provides high-level orthopedic care using state-of-the-art technologies and the latest medical techniques. Our roster of orthopedic experts specializes in giving quality patient care and services to safely bring you back into your active lifestyle as soon as possible.
Some of the shoulder-related conditions we handle in our Miami sports medicine facility include:
Get in touch with our team by requesting an appointment today!
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
