How long does it take to recover from clavicle fracture?
How long does it take to recover from clavicle fracture?
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.
How can I speed up the recovery of a broken clavicle?
To help speed the healing, you might get:
- A splint or brace to keep your shoulder from moving.
- A sling for your arm, which you might use for a few days.
- Anti-inflammatory painkillers, like aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen, which will help with pain and swelling.
- Range-of-motion and strengthening exercises.
How serious is clavicle fracture?
The jagged ends of a broken collarbone may injure nearby nerves and blood vessels. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice numbness or coldness in your arm or hand. Poor or delayed healing. A severely broken collarbone might heal slowly or incompletely.
How painful are clavicle fractures?
A broken collarbone can be very painful and can make it hard to move your arm. Many clavicle fractures can be treated by wearing a sling to keep the arm and shoulder from moving while the bone heals. With some clavicle fractures, however, the pieces of bone move far out of place when the injury occurs.
How long should you wear a sling after breaking your collarbone?
Your treatment plan You will be given a sling to support your arm; this should be used for 2 to 6 weeks whilst the injury heals. Wear the sling during the day but remove it for exercises and personal hygiene. You can wear it at night time if you find it more comfortable but you don’t have to.
Can I sleep on my side with a broken collarbone?
Holding the broken bone above your heart prevents blood from pooling and causing swelling. First, try sleeping on your back while supporting yourself on several pillows. If this doesn’t help, adjust slowly to the side position if possible. Sleep in the middle of the bed, so you don’t fall in the middle of the night.
When do you start physical therapy after clavicle fracture?
It is typical for physical therapy to begin immediately following the operation. Eight to 12 weeks of physical therapy is common after surgery. During the first week after surgery, your physical therapist will help you control pain and swelling. They may begin some gentle motion exercises.
How do you sleep with a broken clavicle?
use extra pillows at night to keep yourself more upright if you find sleeping uncomfortable. use ice packs and painkillers if pain and swelling continues while your arm is in a sling. move your elbow, hand and fingers regularly as soon as it’s comfortable to do so.
Why is the clavicle easily broken?
Your clavicle is easy to fracture because it’s frequently exposed to force. The middle third of your clavicle is its thinnest and outermost part and has a lack of support by muscles and ligaments, so it’s more vulnerable to injury.
How long should I wear a sling for a broken clavicle?
Can a broken collarbone heal in 4 weeks?
Most clavicle fractures heal within 4 to 8 weeks. Physical therapy may help with rehabilitation.
Can I exercise with a fractured clavicle?
It is important to keep the shoulder moving to prevent stiffness but not to aggravate the injury. Avoid lifting and overhead movement for 6 weeks. Follow up: You will see a Shoulder Specialist about 6 weeks after your injury.
Is it OK to sleep on side with broken collarbone?
What percentage of clavicle fractures require surgery?
Dr. Thomas: Fractured clavicles are a common sports injury, men more than women, and the treatment of it has evolved over the years. Traditionally, many of them were treated without surgery and the rate of non-healing was about 3%.
What happens if I don’t wear my sling?
This study found that the absence of a sling was associated with better outcomes, including earlier mobility and better functional scores, than sling immobilization. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain scores 10 days after rotator cuff repair were similar in the two groups.
When can I stop wearing my sling?
The sling is typically used for 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. You should not do any reaching, lifting, pushing, or pulling with your shoulder during the first six weeks after surgery. You should not reach behind your back with the operative arm.
When is surgery necessary for a fractured clavicle bone?
Surgery. Surgery might be required if the fractured collarbone has broken through your skin, is severely displaced or is in several pieces. Broken collarbone surgery usually includes placing fixation devices — plates, screws or rods — to maintain proper position of your bone during healing.
How to relieve pain from clavicle fracture?
Pain medication: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can help reduce collarbone pain and discomfort. Ice or heat: A heat pack, ice-pack or cool washcloth can help with the discomfort associated with minor trauma or overuse injury.
Should you have surgery for a clavicle fracture?
use extra pillows at night to keep yourself more upright if you find sleeping uncomfortable
What is the healing time for a broken clavicle?
The vast majority of collarbone fractures can be treated with a simple sling.
