Collarbone (Clavicle) Fractures: A Guide to Recovery After Surgery

The collarbone or 'clavicle' is a bone that connects the shoulder surgeon will ask you to where a sling to support the arm after
blade to the chest bone. Fractures or breaks of the clavicle are surgery, usually for 3-6 weeks.
common injuries during childhood and with falls onto the shoulder. The plate and screws do not need to be removed, but occasionally,
The majority of clavicle breaks will heal without surgery. patients find the plate bothersome under the skin. If this is the
Sometimes, if the break causes the two ends of the bone to be far case, the plate and screws can be removed after the fracture has
apart from each other or a lot of overlap of the bones, surgery may healed, usually at least 6 months after the break. This operation is
be recommended. The goal of the surgery is to improve the chance performed in the operating room most commonly under general
of bone healing and to allow the bone to heal in a better position. anesthesia. The surgery usually takes between 45-90 min. Usually,
Your surgeon will tell you if your collarbone break may benefit from this operation is done as daycare surgery, where you go home the
surgery. Most do not need surgery. same day as the surgery.

Clavicle fractures take the same time to heal with or without What to expect during healing of a Clavicle Fracture: While the
surgery. Usually, the breaks heals in around 6-8 weeks but it is bone heals usually within 2-3 months, recovery takes much longer.
fairly common that it can take up to 3 months. Typically most of the recovery is completed by 3-5 months. Some
stiffness in the shoulder can happen after these injuries, but usually
Non-surgical Treatment of Clavicle Fractures: resolves by 6 months after the injury. Sometimes, the clavicle
If your clavicle fracture is 'good position', no surgery is required. fracture does not heal. This can happen with fractures that were
The arm should be supported in a sling for around 6 weeks to allow treated with surgery or without. Surgery may occasionally be
the break to heal. Your surgeon will see you and take regular xrays needed for fractures that do not heal.
to make sure that the bone is healing well. Removing the sling too
early and using the arm before the break has healed can lead to Instructions for Recovery for after Collarbone Fractures:
delayed healing of the break.
After the clavicle break heals, some patients have a bump of new These instructions are for patients treated with or without surgery.
bone where the collarbone was broken. This bump will be
permanent and generally causes no problems, but some patients Going Home After Surgery:
are aware of the change in appearance or cosmetics of their • Arrange to have someone take you home after surgery, even
collarbone. if you are taking a taxi

Surgery to fix a broken Clavicle:

Bathing After Surgery:
Fixation or ORIF (Open Reduction Internal Fixation): In this surgery,
• Keep your dressings clean and dry until your follow up
the skin is cut and the collarbone is repositioned to back to where it
appointment with your surgeon around 10-14 days after
should be and then held in position with screws and a plate. Your
surgery. Cleanse around the area or use a plastic bag sealed
with duct tape to keep the dressings dry.

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 Collarbone (Clavicle) Fractures: A Guide to Recovery After Surgery

• If the dressings get wet or soiled, change them • Do not use your broken arm to lift anything heavier than 1 lb
• You may bathe 2-3 weeks after surgery, if the wound is (a large coffee mug) until you discuss with your surgeon -
healed and dry usually this is for the first 4-6 weeks after the break
• Wear your sling as directed by your surgeon - usually your
Care of your Incision & Wound after Surgery: surgeon will ask you to wear the sling full time for at least 4-
• Your wound may ooze fluid for 24-48 hours 6 weeks after the break or surgery
• Keep your dressings on, clean and dry until your follow up • Gradually resume normal activities like walking; recovery is
appointment. gradual and it is normal to feel weak and tired for a couple
• If dressing becomes dirty or wet, please change. of weeks after surgery
• Your surgeon will give you specific instructions about what
How to change your dressings after Surgery if they become soiled kind of physiotherapy is recommended and when to begin
or wet: • Remove your arm from your sling 2-4 times per day to
• Wash your hands with soap & water before you take care of gentle stretch out the hand, wrist and elbow
your wound • Perform pendulum exercises as shown below starting within
• Throw out the white gauze bandages—the dressings will be a few days of surgery
stained with blood - and remove the white mepore • Your surgeon will tell you if you need physiotherapy.
dressings.
• Do not remove the Steri-Strips- small tapes that may be right Tips for Living with a Sling:
on top of the wound. They will fall off themselves. • Many normally simple activities, like dressing, putting on
• Cover wounds with new dressing. Apply new ‘mepore’ or shoes etc. can be more difficult with a sling on.
waterproof ‘aquacell’ dressing. You do not need to change • This guide offers many tips on how to prepare for your time
your dressings if you do not want too -- you can just leave in a sling.
them clean, dry and covered until your follow up • Please review it prior to surgery and after.
appointment 10-14 days after surgery • See: http://rebalancemd.com/patient/downloads/Shoulder_
• Buy either 'mepore' or waterproof 'aquacell' dressings Guide.pdf
• Buy 'mepore' dressings at pharmacy
• Buy waterproof 'aquacell' dressing at One Bracing @ Pain:
RebalanceMD. You may shower with the aquacell dressing on • Discomfort will be moderate for the first few days and will
and it does not need to be changed. gradually get better
• Use any pain medications as prescribed by your surgeon
Activity After a Collarbone Fracture:

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 Collarbone (Clavicle) Fractures: A Guide to Recovery After Surgery

• Gradually reduce your pain medications as your pain

decreases Healthy Eating:
• Start with clear fluids after surgery
Swelling & Bruising • Gradually increase to a well balanced diet as your appetite
• Expect swelling and bruising for a few weeks following the allows
surgery. This is due to the trauma from the fracture and • Drink at least 6 cups of fluids daily
from the surgery.
• The swelling and bruising may go below the elbow into the Going to the Bathroom:
wrist and hand or into the front of the chest. • Changes in medications, activity and diet can cause
• When resting, sit with the elbow and forearm supported constipation (hard, dry bowel movements)
with pillows and elevated • To avoid constipation, drink lots of fluids, eat high fibre
foods such as prunes, fruits, bran, whole grains and
Icing: vegetables
• Apply ice packs or use a Cryo Therapy ‘Ice Machine’ to • Take a stool softener or laxative if needed. Ask your surgeon
reduce pain and swelling or pharmacist to suggest one.
• Apply ice for 10-15 minutes, 4-6 times per day
• Never apply ice directly to skin Driving:
• Do not drive while taking pain medications
• Discuss with your surgeon when it is safe to drive but expect
Return to Work: that you will not be able to drive for at least 4-8 weeks after
• When you are able to return to work depends on: o the kind the break
of job you have and its physical demands o how much pain • If your ability to safely drive (e.g swerve sharply, perform an
& swelling you have after your emergency stop) is impaired, your insurance
injury may not be valid in the case of an accident
o how your recovery is progressing o if you are able
to modify your job or work from home Your Medications:
• Your surgeon will help you decided when to return to work • Resume your regular medications unless instructed
• Expect to take off at least 2-6 weeks for a desk job that does otherwise by your surgeon
not require much use of both hands
• Expect to take off 3-4 months for more physically Supplies/special equipment:
demanding work

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 Collarbone (Clavicle) Fractures: A Guide to Recovery After Surgery

• A sling will put on in the emergency department or • Incisions that are red, puffy, hot or leaking fluid more than
operating room. 48 hrs after surgery  Fever greater than 38°C
• Upgraded Shoulder Sling: If you find the sling supplied by • Signs of circulation problems (e.g coolness, change in skin
the hospital quite irritating or uncomfortable, you may wish colour, numbness) which is not relieved by rest
to buy a more padded sling which some patients find more • Persistent nausea and vomiting
comfortable. This is entirely optional. These can be bought • Inability to pass urine for more than 8-10 hours
at One Bracing @ RebalanceMD or other medical supply • Chest pain or shortness of breath that is unusual for you
stores such as McGill & Orme, Island Orthotics and others.
• Cryotherapy "Ice Machines": are an alternative to ice packs. If you cannot reach your Surgeon:
They can be extremely helpful to reduce pain and swelling.
• Call your family doctor, go to a walk-in clinic or hospital
These can be bought at One Bracing @ Rebalance MD or other
emergency department
medical supply stores such as McGill & Orme, Island
Orthotics and others.
Non-emergency health information and services:
• Waterproof Aquacell Dressing: if you wish to shower, you
may apply a waterproof Aquacell dressing. This type of • HealthLinkBC www.healthlinkBC.ca
dressing does not need to be changed after showing. You • Tel: 811 from anywhere in BC
may purchase this at One Bracing @ • Tel: 711 for deaf and hearing impaired assistance (TTY)
RebalanceMD

Follow Up Appointment:
• A post-operative appointment should be scheduled for
approximately 10-14 days post surgery
• Call the office if you do not have an appointment scheduled
• Write down your questions for the surgeon before the
appointment

Call your Surgeon if you have:

• Increasing pain or swelling that is not relieved by elevation,
ice and pain medications
• Bleeding that continues even after applying direct pressure
for 10-15 minutes

www.rebalancemd.com • 104 - 3551 Blanshard St. Victoria BC V8Z 0B9 • tel 250 940 4444 • fax 250 385 9600
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 Collarbone (Clavicle) Fractures: A Guide to Recovery After Surgery

Physiotherapy Exercises for Shoulder Surgery Patients far as possible. You may need to help with your
nonoperated hand.
You may begin these exercises immediately after surgery unless told
otherwise by your surgeon. Do the exercises 2-3 times per day for 3. Grip: Make a fast or
around 10 repetitions each each.
squeeze a rolled up cloth or
Your surgeon will give you a prescription to see a physiotherapist tennis ball
and tell you when to see a physiotherapist.

Elbow Movement Exercises:

4. Palm Up/Palm Down:
1. Elbow Flexion- keeping your arm at your side,
Extension: sitting up or start in a hand shake position.
lying down, take your Slowly rotate your palm down as
sling off and keep your fully as possible and up as fully as
arm by your side. possible until you feel a stretch in
Straighten your elbow as your forearm. If you have had a
far as possible. You can biceps repair, do not do this
use your nonoperated exercise until approved by your
arm to help guide. If surgeon.
you have had a biceps
tendon repair, do not do
this exercise until
approved by your
surgeon.

Shoulder Pendular Swing Exercises

2. Wrist Flexion-
Extension: Keeping your arm at Spend about 15 minutes, 3 times a day exercising your shoulder.
your side, bend your wrist
forwards and backwards as

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 Collarbone (Clavicle) Fractures: A Guide to Recovery After Surgery

• Rest your good arm on the edge of the

table
• Bend over from your waist
• Allow your affected arm to hang down
– it should hang limp and loose

• Swing the arm back and forth in a smooth

pendular motion about 10 times
• Then allow the arm to circle gently in a
clockwise direction with circles that grow
gradually larger. Repeat 10 times.
• Now go counter clockwise. Repeat 10 times.

The information in this handout is intended only for the person it

was given to by the health care team. It does not replace the advice
or direction given to you by your surgeon.

www.rebalancemd.com • 104 - 3551 Blanshard St. Victoria BC V8Z 0B9 • tel 250 940 4444 • fax 250 385 9600
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