Fracture of the clavicle in adults and children:
Fractures of the clavicle are relatively common, accounting for about five percent of all fractures in adults. Most clavicle fractures can be treated without surgery, but certain types of clavicle fractures require surgery to treat them. In the following, we will discuss the risk factors, the cause of clavicle fracture, its symptoms and diagnosis.
Where is the clavicle?
The clavicle is the bone that connects the sternum to the shoulder.
In fact, it is the only bone connection factor of the body and is one of the leverage points of the muscles. Although the injuries of the adjacent tissues in a clavicle fracture are few, but vital elements such as vessels and nerves are located around it.
risk factors :
Teenagers and children are more at risk of clavicle fracture than adults. This risk decreases after the age of 20. Then it increases again in the elderly because they lose bone strength with age.
Common causes of clavicle fracture are:
- Birth injury, usually during normal delivery.
- Falls such as falls on the shoulder or on an outstretched arm.
- Sports injuries, such as direct impact to the shoulder on the field, track or field.
- Traffic accidents caused by car, motorcycle or bicycle accidents.
From what symptoms can we know that we have a broken clavicle?
There are general symptoms of fracture such as pain, swelling, and dysfunction of the organ. The patient holds the broken limb with the other hand and prevents the limb from hanging.
Other symptoms are:
- Pain that increases when you move your shoulder.
- Swelling, tenderness or bruising.
- Bump on or near shoulder.
- Grinding or crackling sound when moving shoulder.
- Shoulder stiffness or inability to move.
- Babies often won't move their arm until days after a broken collarbone at birth and will cry if someone moves the hand.
Diagnosis:
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and how the injury occurred. She will also examine your shoulder and may ask you to move your arm, hand, and fingers.
Sometimes, because the bone has pressed against the skin, the fracture site is obvious. Depending on the type of fracture, the doctor may want to examine the nerves and blood vessels for damage. The doctor may order an X-ray of the shoulder to check the exact location of the fracture, the amount of displacement of the end of the bone, and other bones for fracture and injury.Sometimes a CT scan may be requested to check the details of the fracture.
What is the treatment for a clavicle fracture?
The treatment of this fracture is usually non-surgical treatment in the form of Latin 8 bandage (Figure-of-eight brace) or shoulder-hanger. About the time of fusion in children is 2-4 weeks and adults 3-6 weeks.
In what cases is there a need for surgery for clavicle fracture?
In some cases, there is a need for surgery and stabilization of the fracture, some of these cases are:
- Displacement of fracture causes shortening of bone more than 2 cm.
- Fracture can damage vascular elements or nerves.
- A comminuted fracture is accompanied by the movement of parts.
- There are multiple fractures of the body.
- In open fractures (clavicle fracture surgery is called open reduction and internal fixation. In this method, the surgeon, after returning the broken pieces to their original location, fixes them in place using pins and screws. With this method, the fusion of the clavicle happens correctly).
Nonsurgical treatment:
Some of the things you can expect from non-surgical treatment include:
The injured arm will be fixed in place by means of a screw bandage. It is very important to limit your movements until the bone has healed.
The doctor may prescribe medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
The doctor may suggest an ice pack for the first few days for the pain.
Your doctor or physical therapist may teach you light exercises to help prevent stiffness while the bone is healing. Once your bone has healed, your doctor may suggest rehabilitation programs to help strengthen and keep your arm flexible.
Summary:
The clavicle is one of the important bones of the shoulder, where the risk of being hit or broken is high. In addition to causing great pain, these fractures also interfere with arm movement and in some cases may damage blood vessels, nerves, or other joints. Based on the type and severity of the fracture, the doctor can offer two types of surgical or non-surgical treatment to the patient. Clavicle bone fractures in children are usually repaired without surgery.
