Clavicle or collarbone related injuries can be caused by a number of conditions, including a clavicle fracture, acromioclavicular dislocation (separation of the clavicle from the shoulder blade), sternoclavicular dislocation (separation of the clavicle from the sternum), osteolysis (bone erosion), degeneration of the clavicle as well as clavicle contusion (bruising of skin and underlying tissues at the clavicle).http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definitions/Clavicula?cx=partner-pub-0939450753529744%3Av0qd01-tdlq&cof=FORID%3A9&ie=UTF-8&q=Clavicula&sa=Search#922 http://www.sportsmed.org/secure/reveal/admin/uploads/documents/ST%20AC%20Joint%20Injuries%2008.pdf http://www.eorthopod.com/eorthopodV2/index.php/fuseaction/topics.detail/ID/79791a8f7dd9f446b38653cbeab9a955/TopicID/1c570e27ebfdd40ce7e99dbf280574de/area/6 http://www.mdadvice.com/library/sport/sport128.html
The most common cause with direct damage to the bone is a clavicle fracture. A fracture of a newborn’s clavicle is the most common birth-related fracture, especially during a difficult birth.http://www.health-care-information.org/injuries/shoulder-injury-clavicle-fracture.html Since the clavicle is not completely hardened before age 20, young people are at higher risk of a broken collarbone. For adults, the risk is increased again when the bone strength decreases with age.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/broken-collarbone/DS01184/METHOD=print While acromioclavicular and sternoclavicular dislocations are due to damage of the ligaments connected to the clavicle, clavicle osteolysis is associated with bone erosion in the distal clavicle near the shoulder blade.http://www.sportsmed.org/secure/reveal/admin/uploads/documents/ST%20AC%20Joint%20Injuries%2008.pdf <ref>http://www.eorthopod.com/eorthopodV2/index.php/fuseaction/topics.detail/ID/79791a8f7dd9f446b38653cbeab9a955/TopicID/1c570e27ebfdd40ce7e99dbf280574de/area/6 http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1262297-overview Clavicle contusions may lead to bleeding from ruptured small capillaries. Blood may infiltrate muscles, tendons or other soft tissue underneath the clavicle.http://www.mdadvice.com/library/sport/sport128.html
Causes of Clavicle Injury
Most clavicle injuries are sustained by a direct blow to the clavicle, such as in a fall onto the shoulder or car accidents. They are also common in contact sports like rugby, American football and martial arts, as well as impact sports such as horse and motor racing.http://www.eorthopod.com/eorthopodV2/index.php/fuseaction/topics.detail/ID/79791a8f7dd9f446b38653cbeab9a955/TopicID/1c570e27ebfdd40ce7e99dbf280574de/area/6 http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00033 http://www.mdadvice.com/library/sport/sport128.html http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1262297-overview http://www.health-care-information.org/injuries/shoulder-injury-clavicle-fracture.html In athletes, the force of a fall can be transmitted from the elbow to the collarbone, causing it to break.http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00072
Treatments of Clavicle Injury
Non-surgical treatments of clavicle injuries often require immobilization of the affected areas. A sling or a figure-of-eight strap can be used to help maintain shoulder position. Applying ice to the injured areas can often alleviate pain and swollen condition. Anti-inflammatory medications or pain relievers may sometimes be necessary. Recovery depends on the extent of the injury although it seldom takes shorter than six weeks. Rehabilitation exercises are often needed to re-train the muscles of the affected area after prolonged immobilization.http://www.mdadvice.com/library/sport/sport128.html http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/broken-collarbone/DS01184/METHOD=print http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1262297-treatment http://www.eorthopod.com/eorthopodV2/index.php/fuseaction/topics.detail/ID/79791a8f7dd9f446b38653cbeab9a955/TopicID/1c570e27ebfdd40ce7e99dbf280574de/area/6 http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00033
The Causes, Symptoms, Treatments and Rehabilitation of a Clavicle Fracture
A clavicle fracture or a broken collarbone is a common sport injury. Medical professionals discuss the causes, symptoms, treatments and rehabilitation of the injury in the video. Bone growth is a slow process. Recovery from a broken collarbone often takes weeks even if a surgery is not needed. The patient often needs to keep his or her injured shoulder in a fixed position in order for the broken bone to rejoin without bone displacement.
Disclaimer
The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact a doctor before using the information presented here
References
Fast Facts
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Common clavicle injury
Clavicle fracture, clavicle related dislocation, osteolysis and degeneration of the clavicle etc
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Common symptom of sternoclavicular dislocation
Severe pain that gets worse with any arm movements
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The most common cause of acromioclavicular dislocation
A fall directly onto the shoulder
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Risk factors of a clavicle fracture
Age, sports participation and high birth weight
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Prevention of a clavicle fracture
Eating calcium-rich foods to strengthen bones, preventing falls and using protective gears
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Diagnosis of acromioclavicular dislocation
Visible deformation or by X-rays
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Available treatments of acromioclavicular dislocation
Applying ice to the affected area, immobilizing the arm in a sling, taking pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medications and surgery
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Prognosis of a clavicle fracture
Depends on the extent of the injury and the treatment involved. Union of the bone ususally takes three to six weeks for children and six to twelve weeks for adults.
