Clavicle Fractures
Causes, symptoms and treatment methods
Clavicle fractures are common among children and adults. The clavicle is the bone that connects the upper part of the sternum to the shoulder blade. What are the causes of a broken collarbone? What are the symptoms and methods of treatment?
Causes of clavicle fractures
Common causes of clavicle fractures include:
Falling on the shoulder or on the outstretched hand.
Sports injuries, such as receiving a direct blow to the shoulder.
Sudden collision due to a car or bicycle accident.
Childbirth: The infant may suffer a fracture of the collarbone during birth.
Factors that increase the risk of clavicle fractures include:
Not reaching the age of twenty years, which is the age when the collarbone is fully solid.
Aging causes bone density to decrease, making it more susceptible to fracture.
Symptoms of clavicle fractures
Symptoms of clavicle fractures include:
Feeling pain that increases with shoulder movement.
Swelling.
The appearance of bruises on the skin.
Hearing a clicking sound when trying to move the shoulder.
Inability to move the shoulder.
Newborn babies may be unable to move their arm for several days on the affected side if they fracture the clavicle during birth.
Diagnosis of clavicle fractures
Clavicle fractures are diagnosed by clinical examination, and the doctor orders an X-ray to determine the location and type of fracture.
Treatment of clavicle fractures
Non-surgical treatment is by wearing an arm sling to stabilize the broken collarbone. The duration of wearing it depends on the severity of the injury. It usually takes between 3 to 6 weeks for the clavicle bone to heal in children, and between 6 to 12 weeks in adults.
Surgical treatment to place fixation devices (plates, screws, or rods) to hold the bone in its correct position during healing.
As for a broken collarbone in a newborn, the doctor only prescribes some medications, while being careful when dealing with the child.
