Clavicle Fracture (Broken Collarbone)

A broken collarbone can also be referred to as a clavicle fracture. This is a common fracture that takes place in people of all age groups. Dr. Weaver of Audrain Orthopaedics has a few tips for how to identify and correct a clavicle fracture.

Anatomy

The collarbone (clavicle) is located between the ribcage (sternum) and the shoulder blade (scapula), and it connects the arm to the body.

The clavicle is above several important nerves and blood vessels. Nevertheless, these important structures are rarely injured when the clavicle breaks, although the bone ends can shift whenever they are fractured.

Description

The clavicle is a long bone and the majority of breaks occur in the center of it. From time to time, the bone will break where it attaches at the ribcage or shoulder blade.

Cause

Clavicle fractures are often caused by a direct blow to the shoulder. This can happen during a fall to the shoulder or an automobile accident. A fall onto an outstretched arm could also result in a clavicle fracture. In infants, these fractures can take place during the passage through the birth canal.

Symptoms

Clavicle fractures can be extremely painful and may make it difficult to move your arm.

Additional symptoms include:

• Sagging shoulder (down and forward)
• Lack of ability to raise the arm because of pain
• A grinding sensation if an attempt is made to raise the arm
• A deformity or “bump” over the break
• Bruising, swelling, and/or soreness over the collarbone

Doctor Examination

While in the evaluation, your physician will ask questions regarding the injury and how it took place. After talking about the injury and your symptoms, your doctor will look at your shoulder.

There is usually an evident disfigurement, or “bump,” at the fracture site. Gentle pressure over the break brings about pain. Although a fragment of bone rarely breaks through the skin, it may push the skin into a “tent” formation.

Your physician will thoroughly look at your shoulder to make certain that no nerves or blood vessels were damaged.

In order to pinpoint the positioning and extent of the break, your physician will arrange an x-ray. X-rays of the whole shoulder are frequently done to check for additional injuries. If other bones are broken, your physician may order a computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan to view the fractures in better detail.

Nonsurgical Treatment

If the broken ends of the bones haven’t shifted out of place and line up properly, you may not require surgery. Broken collarbones can heal with no surgery.

Arm Support

A simple arm sling or figure-of-eight wrap is generally used for comfort immediately after the break. These are worn to support your arm and help keep it in position while it heals.

Medication

Pain medication, like acetaminophen, can help alleviate pain as the fracture heals.

Physical Therapy

While you are wearing the sling, you will probably lose muscle strength in your shoulder. When your bone starts to heal, the pain will decrease and your physician may begin gentle shoulder and elbow exercises. These exercises will help prevent stiffness and weakness. More arduous exercises can gradually be started when the fracture is totally healed.

Doctor Follow-Up

You will have to see your physician regularly until your fracture heals. He or she will analyze you and take x-rays to ensure the bone is healing in good position. After the bone has healed, you’ll be able to bit by bit go back to your normal activities.

Complications

The fracture can get out of place before it heals. It is important to follow up with your doctor as planned to make sure the bone stays in place.

If the fracture fragments do move out of place and the bones heal in that place, it’s called a “malunion.” Treatment for this is determined by how far out of place the bones are and exactly how much this affects your arm movement.

A large bump over the fracture site may develop as the fracture mends. This generally gets smaller with time, but a tiny bump might remain permanently.