What Is A Broken Collar Bone? A broken collar bone is a break in the clavicle, the bone in your upper chest that connects your breastbone (sternum) to part of your shoulder blade (scapula). A broken collar bone is also known as a fractured clavicle.
How Does It Occur? A broken collarbone can occur in several ways. you may fall on your outstretched arm and hand, you may fall on your shoulder or you may be hit directly in the collarbone.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Broken Collar Bone? You will have pain and swelling at the area of the break. it will be difficult to move your arm or shoulder. You may have heard a crack at the time of the injury.
How Is It Diagnosed? Your doctor will examine your collar bone and find tenderness and swelling. An x-ray will show a fracture.
What Is The Treatment For A Broken Collar Bone? To ease your discomfort, your collarbone may be immobilized in a "figure of 8" splint (aka collar bone brace) that holds your shoulders back (as if you were standing at attention). Your arm may be placed in a sling. It may take 6 to 12 weeks for your clavicle to heal.
When Can I Return To My Sport Or Activity? It is important that the clavicle is fully healed before you return to your sport or activity so your collar bone doesn't break again. You must be able to move your clavicle, shoulder, and arm without pain. Your doctor may take another x-ray to be sure that the bone has healed.
You can begin rehabilitation exercises after your broken collarbone has healed and after you've seen your doctor.
How Can I Prevent A Broken Clavicle? Collar bone fractures are usually the result of accidents that cannot be prevented.
Broken Collar Bone Rehabilitation Exercises:
Phase 1.
1. Wand exercises
A. Shoulder flexion: stand upright and hold a stick in both hands. Stretch your arms by lifting them over your head, keeping your elbows straight. Hold for 5 seconds and return to the starting position. Repeat 10 times.
B. Shoulder abduction and adduction: stand upright and hold onto a stick with both hands. Rest the stick against the front of your thighs. While keeping your elbows straight, use your uninjured arm to push your injured arm out to the side and hold up as high as possible. Hold for 5 seconds and return to the starting position. Repeat 10 times.
C. Horizontal abduction and adduction: Stand upright and hold a stick in both hands. Place your arms straight out in front of you at shoulder level. Keep your arms straight and swing the stick to one side, feel the stretch, and hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
D. Shoulder extension: stand upright holding a stick in both hands behind your back. Move the stick away from your back, keeping your elbows straight.. Hold the end position for 5 seconds then relax and return and return to the starting position. Repeat 10 times.
E. Internal rotation: stand upright holding a stick with both hands behind your back. Move the stick up and down your back by bending your elbows. Hold the bent position for 5 seconds and then return to the starting position. Repeat 10 times.
F. External rotation: Lying on your back, hold a stick with both hands, palms up. Your upper arms should be resting on the floor, your elbows at your side and bent 90 degrees. Using your good arm, push your injured arm out away from your body while keeping your injured elbow at your side. Hold the stretch for 5 seconds. Return to the starting position. Repeat 10 times.
Active Shoulder Range Of Motion
A. Flexion: Stand with your arms hanging straight down by your side. Lift both arms, thumbs up, over your head. Hold for 5 seconds. Return to the starting position. Repeat 10 times.
B. Shoulder abduction and adduction: Stand with your arms at your sides. Bring your arms up, out to the side and toward the ceiling. Hold for 5 seconds. Return to the starting position repeat 10 times.
C. Horizontal abduction and adduction: Stand with your arms held straight out in front of you at shoulder level. Pull your arms apart and out to the sides as far as possible. Hold them back for 5 seconds, then back together in front of you. Repeat 10 times. Remember to keep your arms at shoulder level through out this exercise.
D. Shoulder extension: standing, move your involved arm back, keeping your elbow straight. Hold this position for 5 seconds. Return to the starting position and repeat 10 times.
E. Scapular range motion: Shrug your shoulders up. Then squeeze your shoulder blades back and down, making a circle with your shoulders. Return to the starting position. Hold each position 5 seconds and do the entire exercise 10 times.
Phase 2
1. Sidelying Horizontal abduction: Lie on your uninjured side with your injured arm relaxed across your chest. Slowly bring your injured arm up off the floor, elbow straight, so that your hand is pointing toward the ceiling repeat 10 times. Hold a weight in your hand as the exercise becomes easier.
2. Prone shoulder extension:Lie on your stomach on a table or a bed with your involved arm hanging down over the edge. With your elbow straight, slowly lift your arm straight back and toward the ceiling. return to the starting position. Repeat 10 times. As this becomes easier, hold weight in your hand.
3. Biceps curls: While standing hold a weight of some sort (soup can or hammer) in your hand. Bend the elbow of your involved arm and bring your hand, palm up, toward your shoulder. Slowly return to the starting position, and straighten your elbow. Repeat 10 times.
4. Triceps: Lie on your back with your arms toward the ceiling. Bend your involved elbow completely so that the hand on your injured side is resting on the shoulder of that side and your elbow is pointing toward the ceiling. You can use your other hand to help support your upper arm just below the elbow. Then straighten your elbow completely so that your hand is pointing toward the ceiling. Return to the starting position. Repeat 10 times. Hold a weight in your hand when this exercise becomes easy.
5. Abduction: Stand with your injured arm at your side, palm resting against your side. With your elbow straight, lift your hand arm out to the side and toward the ceiling add a weight to your hand as this exercise becomes easier.
6.Shoulder flexion: Stand with your injured arm hanging down at your side keeping your elbow straight, bring your arm forward and up toward the ceiling. Hold this position for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times. As this exercise becomes easier, add a weight.
All material provided is designed for information purposes only and should not be used to replace the care of a health care professional. Do not rely on any of the information for diagnosis or treatment. It is recommended that you visit a qualified health care professional for individual and personal attention.
