What does a hairline fracture collarbone feel like?

Sharp pain felt at the time of injury; the injured person may feel pain when trying to move the arm. Stiffness in the shoulder that makes shoulder movement difficult or impossible. The affected shoulder sags, forward or downward. Swelling, tenderness, and bruising occur over the collarbone.

Where is the diaphysis of the clavicle?

Definition: The diaphysis of the clavicle extends from the attachment of the coracoclavicular ligament laterally to the costoclavicular ligament medially.

What should you not do with a broken collarbone?

For about the first 4–6 weeks:

  1. Avoid raising your arms above shoulder level.
  2. Avoid lifting anything that weighs more than 5 pounds (2.3 kg).
  3. Stay out of all sports and physical education.
  4. Do all exercises to prevent elbow and shoulder stiffness and to help with muscle strength.
  5. Go to physical therapy, if needed.

What is clavicle Malunion?

Malunion is when the fracture heals with significant angulation, shortening, and a poor appearance. Mild malunion is common after clavicle fractures, but it is usually not clinically significant. Occasionally, the patient can have pain or a mild limitation in motion or strength.

How long does it take to recover from a fractured clavicle?

Clavicle fractures in children (younger than 8 years old) may heal in four or five weeks, and clavicle fractures in adolescents may take six to eight weeks. However, fractures in adults or teenagers who have stopped growing take 10 to 12 weeks to heal and may take longer.

What are the signs and symptoms of a clavicular shaft fracture?

A clavicular shaft fracture must be suspected in all individuals that sustained trauma to the shoulder. Usually a visible deformity and pain with palpation is present. It is important to examine the skin to exclude open fracture since there is little soft tissue between the skin and the bone.

What is the best treatment for clavicle fracture?

Surgical treatment of the clavicle requires careful soft tissue management to avoid supraclavicular nerve damage that gives sensitivity to the overlying skin (7).

What is the AP view for clavicle fracture?

If a clavicle fracture is suspected based on history and physical exam, then a single anteroposterior (AP) plain film view is needed initially. It is also possible to get a 15 degree PA view to assess for shortening. Furthermore, more detail can be obtain with a apical oblique image (10).

What is the rate of incidence for clavicle fractures?

Clavicle fractures represent up to 4% of all adult fractures (1). More specifically, they also are 35% of the injuries to the shoulder girdle. In the clavicle, shaft fractures are the most common type of injury occurring about 80% of the time compared to lateral-end and medial-end injuries (1).