Your collarbone, or clavicle, is the bone that runs between your shoulder blade and rib cage and helps connect your arm to your torso. Clavicle fractures are relatively common, especially among people who play contact sports. If your break your collarbone, you will typically need to go through some form of rehabilitation to restore proper function in your shoulder and arm.
Basics
Most clavicle breaks occur in the middle of the bone. However, you can also break your clavicle near the juncture with your shoulder blade or near the juncture with your rib cage. In some cases, your broken bone will keep its normal angle inside your shoulder and not shift or break apart. If this is true in your situation, you may not need surgery to repair the damage. However, in other cases, the pieces of a broken collar bone lose their normal alignment and shift apart significantly. If this is true for you, you will almost certainly need surgery to repair your injury.
Initial Steps
The specific type of rehabilitation you need for a broken collarbone depends on the location and severity of the break, as well the extent of damage to your surrounding tissues, nerves and blood vessels, according to MD Guidelines. Common goals of a rehabilitation program include decreasing your shoulder pain during healing and restoring normal function and range of motion. In some cases, your doctor may recommend the application of ice or another cold source to control swelling and pain. During the initial stages of your recovery, when your shoulder is immobilized, your doctor may also recommend exercises designed to maintain normal function in the joints near your collarbone.
After Your Bone Heals
When your collar bone heals completely, your doctor and physical therapist will assess your shoulder and see if you have any muscular weakness or abnormal movement restrictions. If you do, they will devise a customized plan designed to restore your shoulder and arm function gradually over time. They will also make sure these exercises help you return to your everyday routines and responsibilities. Common rehab exercises include pendular circles and shoulder blade squeezes.
Home Rehabilitation
After an initial period of supervised rehabilitation, your doctor and physical therapist will usually give you instructions on how to perform your exercises at home. In addition to exercises designed specifically for rehabilitation, you may receive exercises designed to maintain your strength and mobility long-term. Your doctor and therapist may also ask you to visit an occupational therapist, who can help you adapt your daily routine so you can protect your collarbone and still complete your everyday tasks.
While your collarbone will likely heal in six to 12 weeks, it may be as long as several years before you can safely subject it to high amounts of physical stress. Ask your doctor for more information on rehabilitation programs that will fit the severity and location of your injury.
