Clavicle fractures and breaks are common injuries, but thankfully not ones that normally require surgery. However, in order to help the bone heal and set in the correct position, orthopedic doctors usually give patients a sling to wear that supports the arm. Because the collarbone joins the shoulder joint to the breastbone, immobilizing the arm is an important part of recovery. But, when can a broken clavicle sling come off?
Broken Clavicle Stages of Healing
How long a broken collarbone takes to heal is dependent on several factors, including:
- Age: Clavicle fractures in children younger than 8 years old may only take 4-5 weeks to heal completely. In adolescents, 6-8 weeks is the average. In older teens and adults, healing can take up to 12 weeks to heal.
- Location of the Fracture: A fracture can occur in a mid-shaft, distal, or proximal location and affect the healing time if it requires surgery.
- Type of Fracture: Singular fractures describe a collarbone with only one break. A comminuted fracture has more than one break, and takes longer to heal than a singular fracture. Other types of fractures are displaced (when a bone moves out of position) and undisplaced (when a bone remains aligned).
Non-Surgical Treatment and Healing
In a non-surgical case, a sling helps patients to immobilize the injury and prevent further damage. Due to where the clavicle sits in the body, a normal cast is ineffective. A sling keeps the shoulder in an optimal healing position, which then restricts the movement of the clavicle.
If your injury does not require surgery, your doctor may tell you that you can remove your broken clavicle sling once most of the pain goes away. This can be as early as 2-4 weeks into recovery, but will be mostly dependent on pain level and the factors mentioned above. Every case is different, and you should wait until your doctor tells you that it is okay to stop wearing the sling at night or during the day. You can take the sling off to bathe, but still take care and avoid moving your shoulder too much.
Surgical Treatment and Healing
If your collarbone fracture did require surgery, then the sling may plan an even more important part in your recovery process than in a non-surgical case. The sling not only prevents a lot of pain as it does in non-surgical cases, but also protects any surgical wounds while they heal. This could be external, like stitches, staples, and other suture wounds, or internal, like screws and plates.
In surgical cases, slings are normally not removed before 4 weeks at minimum. Your orthopedic doctor will give you the go-ahead once tests and imaging results show proper healing. However, if you are reckless with the injury as it heals without a sling, there is a chance that you may need to wear it again. Take care of your injury!
Visit Orthopaedic Specialists for Advice on Your Broken Clavicle Sling
If you or someone you love has suffered a collarbone injury in the Louisville, Kentucky-area, board certified sports medicine physician Dr. Stacie Grossfeld at Orthopaedic Specialists PLLC can help. Orthopaedic Specialists PLLC is accepting new patients, and same day appointments are available. For additional information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Orthopaedic Specialists PLLC today at 502-212-2663.
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