A broken collarbone is considered as a common form of injury. It can occur among infants, children and teenagers as well as athletes or during various forms of accidents and falls.
What are the indications?
In most instances, an individual with a broken collarbone experiences shoulder pain and difficulty moving the arm.
Other usual signs of the injury include:
- Pain over the collarbone or clavicle
In most instances, an individual with a broken collarbone experiences shoulder pain and difficulty moving the arm. - Evident deformity of the collarbone
- Inflammation and bruising around the shoulder. After some time, the bruising might move down the chest and armpit.
- Difficulty elevating the arm from the side
- Tingling and numbness down the arm
Once a doctor is seen or upon arrival in the emergency department, an X-ray is taken to check for the specific form of broken collarbone.
Management of a broken collarbone
The treatment for a broken collarbone involves allowing the bone to recuperate or perform surgery to restore the correct alignment of the bone and secure it in the right position.
When deciding on the type of surgery to perform, some factors are taken into consideration such as the site and degree of displacement, other injuries present, age and expectations of the individual.
Various types of supports are utilized as conservative treatment for a broken collarbone such as a sling or figure 8 brace.
The injury fully heals within 12 weeks, but the discomfort typically subsides after a few weeks. Generally, the individual should avoid any activities that can worsen the pain.
More Information / Disclaimer
The information posted on this page on a broken collarbone is for learning purposes only. Learn to recognize the signs and how it is managed by taking a standard first aid course with Toronto First Aid.