Rehabilitation Of A Broken Clavicle

A break of the clavicle, otherwise known as the collarbone, is one of the most common orthopedic injuries among all age groups, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Your clavicle connects your arm to your body. Rehabilitation of a broken clavicle concentrates on strengthening your shoulder's supporting muscles and improving range of motion in your shoulder joint. As with any rehabilitation program, not all exercises may be appropriate for your situation, so consult your doctor before starting any new exercises.

Back-and-Forths

Gently stretching your shoulder area will be an initial concern during your rehabilitation of a broken clavicle, to reduce pain and stiffness while increasing flexibility. Start doing some Codman swings while lying down. Get onto an exercise table or bed, belly-side down. Gently let your injured arm hang over the side, the Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma instructs. Relax your arm, shoulder and hand. Gently move your upper body to start swinging your arm back and forth. Swing for 15 seconds. Stop swinging and relax for 10 seconds. Repeat the exercise twice. Shoot for a goal of swinging your arm for three minutes.

Overhead Assisting

Initial stages of rehabilitating a broken clavicle will include using your healthy arm as an assistive device, because your injured arm will not be strong enough to perform the exercises. Start by doing some gentle overhead stretches known as assisted flexions, the Physiotherapy Site recommends. Sit upright in a firm chair. Place your healthy hand around the wrist of your injured-side arm. Gently lift your injured arm toward the ceiling. Keep your elbows as straight as possible. Hold for 10 seconds. Slowly return to original position. Relax for 10 seconds. Repeat the exercise 15 times per set; do three sets daily.

Side Lifts

Rehabilitation for a broken clavicle can include some shoulder-abduction maneuvers that increase your shoulder's range of motion. Start by sitting upright in a firm chair, feet firmly planted on the floor. Gently lift your injured arm to the side, palm facing down. Straighten your elbow as much as possible. When done correctly, your arm will be parallel to the floor when fully extended. Hold this position for 10 seconds. Slowly return to the original position. Relax for 10 seconds. Repeat four times. Do this exercise three times daily.

Wall Strengtheners

Rehabilitation for a broken clavicle can use walls as isometric exercise tools to gently strengthen your shoulder muscles. Do some shoulder extension maneuvers by standing upright with your back against a wall, arms at your sides with hands open. Gently push your entire arm into the wall. Keep your elbow and back straight. Hold this tension for eight seconds. Release the tension and relax for 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise 15 times.

Pillow Strengtheners

Pillows can be used as exercise tools during rehabilitation for a broken clavicle. Sit upright in a firm chair to do a shoulder adduction exercise, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons suggests. Place a pillow between your injured arm and rib cage. Gently push your injured arm into the pillow. Hold this tension 10 seconds. Release and relax for 10 seconds. Repeat the exercise 15 times.