Your collarbone, or clavicle, is the bone that rests between your shoulder and neck. A broken collarbone can result from a fall or other trauma, and the injury is common in contact sports, such as football, soccer or basketball. If you experience a severe break in your clavicle or the nerves around it have been damaged, your physician may recommend surgery to repair the clavicle. Physical therapy exercises will improve your range of motion after collarbone injury. Obtain approval from your physician before beginning an exercise routine.
Overhead Raise
A simple overhead raise helps to relieve tension in the shoulders. Hold a broomstick or yardstick in your hands with an overhand grasp and hands about shoulder-width apart. Slowly raise your arms in the air, stopping when your hands are above your head. Hold this position for five seconds, then lower your hands to return to your starting position. Repeat the exercise five times.
Scapular Active Range of Motion
The scapular active range of motion exercise helps to improve shoulder rotation after surgery to repair a broken collarbone. To perform, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your hands at your sides, palms facing toward your body. Start by lifting your shoulders in the air and hold the position for five seconds. Lower the shoulders and then pull them back, squeezing the shoulder blades together for five seconds. Release the shoulder blades, then pull the shoulders down, holding this position for five seconds. Repeat the full exercise five times.
Horizontal Shoulder Abduction
The horizontal shoulder abduction exercise helps you regain range of motion in the front and back of the shoulders following surgery. To begin, raise your hands in front of you, stopping at shoulder height or when your arms are parallel with the ground. Turn your palms facing down. Slowly open your arms to your sides, making a T-shape with your body. Hold this position for five seconds, then return your arms to the starting position. Open and close your arms eight times. Lower the arms, then repeat for an additional set if you are able.
Wand Extension
The wand extension exercise helps to stretch the front of the shoulders and the muscles along the clavicle. To begin, hold a broomstick or yardstick behind your back with your palms facing away from you and hands shoulder-width apart. Slowly lift the broomstick away from the body, lifting as high as you can without pain. Hold at the top-most position for five seconds, then lower the broomstick to your starting position. Repeat the exercise eight times.
