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The collarbone (from Latin clavicula) is a type of slightly curved long bone (about 15 cm) located at the top of the chest. The collarbone connects the sternum with the scapula, with which it also forms the shoulder girdle. The clavicle is the only joint of the upper limb skeleton with the axial skeleton including the skull, chest (ribs, sternum) and spine. In addition, it is a site to which many muscles (e.g. the pectoral muscle and the trapezius muscle) and ligaments are attached. You can easily feel it by touch, it is clearly visible in slim people or when you stretch your arms forward. A collarbone fracture is usually caused by mechanical trauma resulting from a fall or a hard impact.
Broken collarbone – causes
This type of fracture is quite common, as is a rupture or bruise in your collarbone. Its causes are mainly mechanical injuries caused by a hard impact, an unfortunate fall or playing sports. On the other hand, a broken collarbone in a newborn is caused by improper shifting of the baby’s shoulders outwards or by perinatal complications. Mostly the problem affects young people, but there are occasions when a collarbone fracture occurs in older people. Injury to the collarbone bone requires immediate medical attention.
Broken collarbone – symptoms
The main symptoms of a broken collarbone are large local swelling and severe pain in the shoulder area. Difficulties in raising the arm appear, visible bone displacement in the form of a drop of the shoulder, dizziness and nausea. When we press the place above the fracture, we will also feel the friction and movement of the bone fragments under the surface of the skin. Less frequently, it may happen that a fracture is accompanied by a simultaneous trauma to the brachial plexus or the subclavian artery (in this case, hemorrhage also occurs).
Broken collarbone – first aid and treatment
First aid in the case of a broken collarbone is performed by appropriate immobilization of the hand in the shoulder joint. It is advisable to wear a sling with a stabilizing belt, i.e. a Dessault dressing. If we do not have one, then in order to attach the limb to the body, we can temporarily use triangle-folded scarves (pharmacy or those that we have at hand). We put one end of such a sling over the neck, put the arm bent at the elbow to the torso so that its fingers touch the undamaged shoulder, wrap it with a scarf, pull it up slightly, and tie the other end with the one already behind the neck. This is to relieve the pain accompanying the fracture and, above all, prevent further bone fragments from moving.
Fracture diagnostics will be undertaken at the hospital, including X-ray pictures taken. Displaced, non-displaced and trans-articular fractures stand out among the clavicle fractures. Each of them is treated differently. Usually, this type of injury can be diagnosed by the presence of a tumor at the site of the collarbone and severe pain. Not all collarbone fractures require surgical intervention. If there is no bone dislocation, the patient is put on a plaster cast or an orthosis over the shoulder and shoulder (orthopedic vest). In the case of displacement of the collarbone, octal fixation with a stabilizer is used. The operation of a broken collarbone is performed if, for example, there are neuromuscular complications, a broken or multi-site opening occurs, the bone will not grow together. After breaking the collarbone and removing the immobilization applied to min. For 3-4 weeks, you need to undergo rehabilitation, which will not only help you regain your full range of motion, but will also have anti-swelling and analgesic effects.
Broken collarbone – complications
Complications that can occur with a broken collarbone are the above-mentioned injuries of the subclavian artery or the brachial plexus. Additionally, there may be chronic shoulder pain, shoulder girdle dysfunction, collarbone shortening and limited range of motion.
Broken collarbone – compensation
Compensation for a broken collarbone is due when it occurred as a result of a medical error, a traffic accident, an accident at work, the injury is the result of a fall or slipping. You can apply for compensation if you are still undergoing treatment and rehabilitation, 3 years have not passed since the accident resulting in the fracture. It is necessary to have medical records. The type of benefits granted and the amount of compensation are closely related to it. Compensation for a broken collarbone should not only compensate for the pain and moral damage incurred as a result of the damage to health, but also compensate for the expenses incurred during treatment. If, however, there has been a permanent health impairment, the injured person is entitled to a disability pension. Please contact your policyholder for details.