A broken collarbone, or fractured clavicle, is a common injury in young people that occurs as a result of incidents like sports injuries and falls onto the shoulder, according to Mayo Clinic. Most of the time, a broken collarbone can heal well with a simple rehab regimen. However, you may require more invasive treatment if you have a more serious fracture.
Bracing
A sling or figure-eight arm wrap is generally used to help keep the affected collarbone comfortable and in place as it heals, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Depending on your age and the severity of your injury, your bone may need anywhere between three to 12 weeks to heal.
Pain Relief
Your doctor may recommend that you take an over-the-counter pain reliever to reduce inflammation and discomfort. However, he may prescribe a potent narcotic medication for the first few days if your pain is so severe that an over-the-counter medication doesn't help, according to Mayo Clinic. Icing your broken collarbone in the first two to three days can also reduce inflammation and discomfort.
Follow-Up
Your doctor will ask to see you intermittently throughout the bone healing process. She may examine your bone, take x-rays to ensure that it is healing properly and instruct you on when you can begin returning to your old activities. Follow her advice carefully to reduce your risk of unnecessary complications.
Range-of-Motion Exercises
Immobilizing a broken bone can lead to stiffness. As a result, your doctor will likely refer you to a physical therapist who can help you gradually regain flexibility after your fracture fully heals. Your therapist may ask you to stand with the hand of your unaffected side resting on a table corner to support some of your weight, slightly bend the knee on your unaffected side, and extend your other leg out to the side. Then, she may have you loosely hang your injured arm over the foot on the other side and shift your weight to make 25 clockwise and 25 counterclockwise arm circles as broadly as you comfortably can, according to the Sports Science Orthopaedic Clinic.
Strengthening Exercises
Once you've regained some flexibility, your physical therapist will also encourage you to perform strengthening exercises to combat any weakness caused by immobilizing your clavicle. For example, he may ask you to stand with your hands at your sides, then raise your shoulders until you feel some discomfort and hold them there for five seconds, relax five more seconds, and repeat 10 times. As you get stronger, he may encourage you to carry a light dumbbell in each hand and progressively carry heavier weights during the exercise.
Surgery
Your collarbone may need surgical repair if it is knocked severely out of place, if it has shattered, or if it has broken through the skin. Most of the time, surgery to repair a broken collarbone uses devices such as rods or plates to keep your bone in the right position as it heals. You will also need to perform strengthening and range-of-motion exercises to regain your old strength and flexibility once you have healed from surgery.
