X-rays of the shoulder will be done to check for additional injuries (eg. Imaging tests -X-rays – an x-ray will define the break: the number of pieces and the degree of separation of the fragments.Range of motion is limited and may be associated with crunching at the fracture site. perform a physical examination: looking for clavicular deformity, scapula asymmetry and bruising.Commonly associated injuries such as scapula, rib fractures and/or haemothorax will be explored. take a medical history : specifically assessing the amount of energy absorbed in the trauma.Bruising, swelling, and tenderness over the collarboneĭiagnosis is made with a consultation - During the consultation Dr Harper will:.A grinding sensation if an attempt is made to raise the arm.Inability to lift the arm because of pain. Rare causes include diseases that weaken the collarbone such as osteoporosis or cancer.įractured collarbone sufferers have the following symptoms: The principal cause of a broken collarbone is trauma (sports injuries, car accidents, falls). The clavicle is the most commonly fractured bone in the body. Thank you for choosing Summit Health.A fractured clavicle is the medical term used when the collarbone is broken. Someone will get back to you as soon as possible. If you’re seeking treatment for a shoulder or clavicle fracture, follow the link below and answer a few short questions. The aim of physical therapy is to strengthen the muscles around the shoulder and to return the shoulder to its standard range of motion. Patients with less severe fractures have usually healed enough in four to six weeks to begin physical therapy, though more severe fractures may take longer. Occasionally, severe fractures of the upper humerus can be treated with a shoulder replacement. In such cases where surgery is necessary, surgeons can realign the bone pieces and hold them together with pins, screws or plates. Determination of whether or not surgery is necessary can also depend on a patient’s age, health history and activity level. Surgery may be necessary if the broken ends of the bone are not aligned or if the fracture is more severe. Physical therapy is usually necessary to help regain flexibility and strength. The shoulder will have to be held in place, usually with a sling or a shoulder immobilizer, while the break heals. Many fractures around the shoulder can be treated nonsurgically. At times, a computed tomography (CT )scan can help provide a better three-dimensional look at a complex fracture. An X-ray will usually determine the presence and nature of the fracture. Diagnosisįractures in the shoulder area can be diagnosed by a physical examination, looking for signs and symptoms of a break in one of the bones, and with a medical history to determine if there was an injury that could be causing the symptoms. A broken humerus is extremely painful, causing severe swelling and very restricted range of motion. A scapula fracture will cause bruising around the shoulder blade. The range of motion will also be limited. Grinding sensation if the shoulder is movedĪ broken clavicle will have swelling around the middle of the collarbone, and there may be a bump that is actually the broken end of the bone. Some symptoms will depend on which bone is broken, but in general, symptoms of a fractured humerus, clavicle or scapula include:ĭifficulty or inability to move the shoulder A scapula fracture is most often due to a high-energy injury to the chest, such as in a motor vehicle accident. Because the scapula is protected by the chest, it does not break easily. Most fractures of the shoulder area occur due to a fall, a direct blow or a high-energy trauma event like a car accident. Due to shoulder and chest anatomy, humerus and clavicle fractures are more common than scapula fractures. Any of these bones can sustain a fracture, or break. The shoulder is a meeting of three bones: the clavicle (collarbone), the scapula (shoulder blade) and the upper humerus (arm bone). What Are Shoulder and Clavicle Fractures?
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