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A broken collarbone, also known as clavicle fracture, is a break in the bone that connects the breastbone and shoulder blade. This injury can occur as a result of fall, sports, vehicle collisions, or even during childbirth.
Types of fracture are the following:
- Comminuted fracture: The collarbone fractures into one or several pieces.
- Displaced fracture: The broken parts might still line up or become misplaced.
While a broken collarbone can be painful, most people do not require surgery. If you suspected that you have a broken collarbone, seek immediate medical attention. Most injuries recover quickly with ice, medications, a sling, physical therapy, and time. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to insert plates, screws, or rods to keep the bone fragments together while it heals. Physical therapy can help to strengthen the bone and reduce stiffness.
Symptoms
The following are signs and symptoms of a broken collarbone:
- Pain, that gets worse when moving the shoulder.
- Swelling, tenderness or bruising of the area.
- The bone no longer supports the shoulder causes it to fall downward or forward.
- Bump on or around the shoulder.
- Clicking, grinding, or popping sound when moving the shoulder.
- Immobility or stiffness of the shoulder.
- Bone may pierce the skin (rare cases)
Newborns who have a broken collarbone during birth may cry when their arm is moved and will not move it for several days.
Seek medical help immediately if you are experiencing discomfort that prevents you from using your arm normally or if there are signs of a broken collarbone. Delaying medical care can result in poor healing.
Causes
The following can cause a broken collarbone:
- Trauma: Car, motorcycle, or bike accidents, as well as direct hits to the shoulder during sports, can cause a broken collarbone. When the arm is outstretched or a person falls onto their shoulder, it can also result in this condition.
- Birth: During a difficult the birth, the collarbone may break, while passing through the birth canal.
Risk factors
Adults have a lower risk of break their collarbone than teenagers and young children. The risk decreases over the age of 20 but increases again in older people as they lose bone strength with age.
Diagnosis
The following procedures will help the healthcare provider to properly diagnose broken collarbones by:
- Physical examination: A medical professional will evaluate for signs of tenderness, swelling, or an open wound in the area.
- Imaging test:
- X-ray: X-ray of the affected area can confirm a broken bone and show the location, severity and presence of additional fracture.
- Computed tomography (CT) Scan: If patient is suspected to have joint or artery damage, a CT may be recommended for a more detailed and precise image of the collarbone.
- Anteriogram: This test examine the arteries using dye and X-ray.
Treatment
To aid in the recovery of a broken collarbone, immobilization is required. Most people with a broken collarbone use a sling. Children’s bones typically take 3 to 6 weeks to heal, while adults’ bones take an average of 6 to 12 weeks to heal. For newborns, the broken collarbone usually heals within two weeks with just pain medication and gentle treatment.
- Medicines: Over-the-counter drugs can help alleviate pain as the bone heals. In severe cases, a healthcare provider may prescribe stronger medications, such as opioids, for a short period of time. However, these should only be used with caution due to the risk of addiction.
- Therapy: After treatment, exercises to regain movement should start right away. These exercises can strengthen the shoulder, increase arm mobility, and reduce stiffness. It’s important to start moving in order to reduce stiffness.
- Surgery: If the collarbone has pierced through the skin, is misaligned, or is shattered, surgery may be required. In order to keep the broken collarbone in place while it heals, most broken collarbone surgeries involve the use of plates, screws, or rods. Infection is a rare but possible side effect of surgery.
The exterior surfaces of the bone are secured with plates and screws. Unless it causes pain, the hardware is typically not removed until the bone has healed.
Surgery is uncommon in children and teenagers under the age of 16 since they recover faster than adults.
