CLAVICLE FRACTURE TREATMENT
MELBOURNE
SHOULDER JOINT ANATOMY
What are the joints, muscles and ligaments in your shoulder?
The shoulder is made up of three bones:
(1) The Scapula (shoulder blade), (2) Clavicle (collarbone) and; (3) Humerus (upper arm bone)
The shoulder joint is formed where the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into the scapula (shoulder blade), like a ball and socket.
Other important shoulder bones include:
The acromion – The bony projection off the scapula.
The clavicle (collarbone) – This meets the acromion in the acromioclavicular joint.
The coracoid process – The hook-like bony projection from the scapula.
The humerus fits relatively loosely into the shoulder joint, allowing the shoulder a wide range of motion.
Shoulder Anatomy
Figure 1
CLAVICLE FRACTURE DIAGNOSIS
In a clavicle fracture (broken collarbone), there is usually shoulder pain, tenderness, swelling and an obvious deformity, or bump, at the fracture site. The shoulder may also sag downward and forward.
Dr Pullen will undertake a medical examination to investigate how the injury occurred and will ask you about your symptoms.
He will carefully examine your shoulder to ensure that the nerves or blood vessels were not damaged when the fracture occurred. Patients will require and x-ray to confirm the diagnosis.
In some cases patients may benefit from having additional imaging tests to rule out other problems. Imaging tests may include:
CLAVICLE FRACTURE RECOVERY TIMELINE
The clavicle will take a minimum of 6 weeks to heal and can take longer to fully heal. Healing is determined by successive X-Rays and clinical examination.
The recovery period varies from patient to patient and depends on the nature and complexity of the surgery and individual patient anatomy and health factors. A typical recovery timeline may include:
Timeline – After Surgery | Description |
---|---|
The day of surgery | For some patients it is a day procedure, other patients may stay overnight. It depends on your pain levels. Your arm will be in a sling for 1-3 weeks. |
1 -2 weeks | A follow up appointment is organised 1-2 weeks after surgery to check on progress, remove the dressing and check the wound. You may have an x-ray to check the position of the plate and screws. The sutures buried beneath the skin will dissolve. |
3-6 weeks | A follow up appointment is required approximately 6 weeks after your operation. An X-ray will be requested to help Dr Pullen assess the clavicle healing process. He will also assess your shoulder movement to ensure that it is returning to normal. At each of these visits he will discuss with you the activities for you to resume. |
7-12 weeks | A further follow up appointments may be required 12 weeks after your operation. Most patients can resume normal activities after 12 weeks and lift their arm overhead. Avoid contact sports until 12+ weeks after the injury and clearance from Dr Pullen. |
POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS
The surgery complications which may occur after collarbone surgery may include:
- Pain
- Shoulder stiffness and/or restricted movement
- Infection
- Bleeding – Damage to blood vessels or nerves
- Problems with wound and/or bone healing (nonunion)
- Blood clots
- Reaction to anaesthesia
- Hardware irritation
Dr Pullen will discuss with you in detail the potential complications and risks in relation to the surgical and non-surgical approaches.
Proud member of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and Australian Orthopaedic Association.
Clavicle Fracture Treatment Melbourne
Dr Pullen treats patients from all over Victoria in relation to shoulder injuries and clavicle fractures. He consults with patients at the following practice locations in Melbourne including East Melbourne and Ringwood.