How do you treat a distal clavicle fracture?
Conservative treatment of distal clavicle fractures includes immobilization with an arm sling or a figure-of-eight bandage. Recently, arm slings have become more commonly used because of patient comfort.
Does a distal clavicle fracture require surgery?
Distal clavicle fractures are treated with surgery more often, as this type of fracture does not do as well functionally when treated without surgery. These fractures behave very differently than the common midshaft clavicle fractures.
How long does it take for a distal clavicle fracture to heal?
Most collarbone fractures heal in six to eight weeks, without surgery or complications. Most people are able to start getting back to normal activities by three months or so, but full recovery may take up to six to 12 months. You may feel a bump where the fracture healed.
Can you lift your arm with a broken collarbone?
There’s no pain when the health care provider presses on the collarbone. Your shoulder strength is normal. You can move and use the arm and shoulder without pain.
What is distal clavicle fracture?
Summary. Distal clavicle fractures are traumatic injuries usually caused by direct trauma to the shoulder from a fall in adults.
What is distal clavicle osteolysis?
Distal clavicle osteolysis (DCO) is a pathologic process involving resorption of subchondral bone in the distal clavicle. The condition usually presents as pain localized to the acromioclavicular (AC) joint. [1, 2] DCO was first described in 1936 as a condition secondary to acute shoulder trauma.
Can you move your arm with a broken clavicle?
Your shoulder strength is normal. You can move and use the arm and shoulder without pain. In general, people can go back to noncontact sports (such as running or swimming) in about 6 weeks and contact sports (such as football, lacrosse, and hockey) in 8–12 weeks.