What happens if a broken collar bone goes untreated?

When a bone fracture is untreated, it can result in either a nonunion or a delayed union. In the former case, the bone doesn’t heal at all, which means that it will remain broken. As a result, swelling, tenderness, and pain will continue to worsen over time.

When does a broken collar bone need surgery?

Specifically, surgery should be strongly considered if the fracture is shortened by 2 centimeters or more, displaced more than 100\% (the fractured ends aren’t touching at all), when there are specific fracture patterns (such as Z-type fractures), or when the fractures are highly comminuted (shattered).

Do Broken collar bones go back to normal?

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.

How long do broken collarbones take to heal?

Clavicle fractures in children (younger than 8 years old) may heal in four or five weeks, and clavicle fractures in adolescents may take six to eight weeks. However, fractures in adults or teenagers who have stopped growing take 10 to 12 weeks to heal and may take longer.

How long should you wear a sling after breaking your collarbone?

Your treatment plan You will be given a sling to support your arm; this should be used for 2 to 6 weeks whilst the injury heals. Wear the sling during the day but remove it for exercises and personal hygiene. You can wear it at night time if you find it more comfortable but you don’t have to.

How long does it take for broken collarbone to heal?

How do you fix a broken collarbone without surgery?

Most broken collarbones can heal without surgery. Nonsurgical treatment may include: Arm support. A simple arm sling is usually used for comfort immediately after the break and to keep your arm and shoulder in position while the injury heals.

Can a broken collarbone hurt years later?

Now, a year later, you’re still experiencing problems associated with the fracture. The doctors at St. Luke’s told you this can happen with clavicle breaks, which means you may have to put up with pain and limited mobility for the rest of your life.

Can a broken collarbone cause shoulder pain later in life?

Clavicle fracture is commonly treated conservatively. However uncommon complication can arise causing impingement. We report a patient who sustained distal clavicle fracture and was treated conservatively. However he developed persistent shoulder pain that affected his daily life.

Does a broken collarbone heal completely?

Most patients have full range of motion and can return to activities with no limitations. Some fractures can take six to nine months to heal. If the fracture does not heal, surgery may be necessary. Some fractures of the clavicle that do not heal completely are not painful and may not need surgery.

Will a broken collarbone heal without a sling?

A broken collarbone may take 6 weeks or longer to heal. You will need to wear an arm sling to keep the broken bone from moving while it heals. At first, it may hurt to move your arm.