A collar bone, or clavicle, fracture is a painful injury that can occur anywhere along the bone, which connects your breast bone to your shoulder. This common injury is usually caused by a direct blow to the clavicle or as a result of a fall. Treatment for this injury often involves setting the bone back in place and several weeks of rehabilitative therapy.
Week One
The first week of your rehabilitation often involves taking pain medication and using ice to help alleviate the swelling and discomfort associated with your fracture. You will also likely be instructed to begin performing passive shoulder movement exercises like the pendulum, where you bend over and allow your arm to swing freely from side to side or in a circular motion. Your doctor may also prescribe exercises to help strengthen your rotator cuff muscles in your shoulder and exercises to strengthen your arm muscles.
Weeks Two to Four
Pain treatments will likely continue through this period. You will also begin performing more exercises to help restore range of motion to your shoulder. These exercises can include using a pulley machine to apply constant resistance to the movement of your shoulder. You might also begin performing isometric exercises that help strengthen and stabilize your shoulder without requiring movement in your shoulder joint. Your doctor might also prescribe exercises to improve the flexibility of your wrist and elbow.
Weeks Four to Eight
This period features a more aggressive approach to your rehabilitation and is focused on strengthening and range-of-motion exercises. You will begin performing internal and external rotation exercises to help you restore your ability to rotate your arm toward and away from your body. You will also likely be prescribed active weightlifting exercises designed to help you regain any strength you have lost as a result of your injury. During this period you will probably progress from using machines to using free weights during your rehabilitation. Don't push yourself too hard during this period, and lift weights only under the direction of your doctor.
Weeks Eight to 12
During this period your doctor is looking for a return of full range of motion and strength in your shoulder and arms. You will be prescribed exercise tailored to your specific condition to help facilitate a return to the full use of your shoulder. This can include exercises to help any weakness you are still experiencing as well as exercises to help you regain the full use of your arm and shoulder.
