Broken Collarbone Treatment

Breaking your clavicle -- also known as your collarbone -- can be an extremely painful experience, and can seriously limit your ability to move your shoulder whatsoever. While some patients can recover nonsurgically from a collarbone fracture using a sling and extensive physical therapy, others will require surgery to offer a full, effective recovery.

At Barrington Orthopedic Specialists, our experienced, high-quality shoulder specialists can help you find relief and ultimately decide the right course of action following a collarbone fracture. We’ll work alongside you to develop a personalized treatment plan that truly works for you.

If you’re ready to find relief from your broken collarbone, schedule your first consultation with the team at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists today. If you’re in an emergency situation, visit the Immediate Care Clinic at our Schaumburg, IL location.

What Is Broken Collarbone Surgery?

Surgery can align the bones exactly and hold them in good position while they heal. This can improve shoulder strength when you have recovered.

Plates and Screws

During this operation, the bone fragments are first repositioned into their normal alignment, and then held in place with special screws and/or by attaching metal plates to the outer surface of the bone.

After surgery, you may notice a small patch of numb skin below the incision. This numbness will become less noticeable with time. Because there is not a lot of fat over the collarbone, you may be able to feel the plate through your skin.

Plates and screws are usually not removed after the bone has healed, unless they are causing discomfort. Problems with the hardware are not common, but sometimes, seatbelts and backpacks can irritate the collarbone area.

If this happens, the hardware can be removed after the fracture has healed.

Pins

Pins are also used to hold the fracture in good position after the bone ends have been put back in place. The incisions for pin placement are usually smaller than those used for plates. Pins often irritate the skin where they have been inserted and are usually removed once the fracture has healed.

Rehabilitation

Specific exercises will help restore movement and strengthen your shoulder. Your doctor may provide you with a home therapy plan or suggest that you work with a physical therapist.

Therapy programs typically start with gentle motion exercises. Your doctor will gradually add strengthening exercises to your program as your fracture heals.

Although it is a slow process, following your physical therapy plan is an important factor in returning to all the activities you enjoy.