Clavicle fracture
Medical condition / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Broken collarbone?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
A clavicle fracture, also known as a broken collarbone, is a bone fracture of the clavicle.[1] Symptoms typically include pain at the site of the break and a decreased ability to move the affected arm.[1] Complications can include a collection of air in the pleural space surrounding the lung (pneumothorax), injury to the nerves or blood vessels in the area, and an unpleasant appearance.[2]
Clavicle fracture | |
---|---|
Other names | Broken collarbone[1] |
X-ray of a left clavicle fracture | |
Specialty | Emergency medicine |
Symptoms | Pain, decreased ability to move the affected arm[1] |
Complications | Pneumothorax, injury to the nerves or blood vessels in the area, unpleasant appearance[2] |
Usual onset | Sudden[3] |
Types | Type I (middle 3rd), Type II (lateral 3rd), Type III (medial third)[3] |
Causes | Fall onto a shoulder, outstretched arm, or direct trauma[1][3] |
Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms, confirmed with X-rays[2] |
Treatment | Pain medication, sling, surgery[1][2] |
Prognosis | Up to five months for complete healing[3] |
Frequency | 5% of adult fractures, 13% of children's fractures[1][3] |
It is often caused by a fall onto a shoulder, outstretched arm, or direct trauma.[1][3] The fracture can also occur in a baby during childbirth.[1] The middle section of the clavicle is most often involved.[3] Diagnosis is typically based on symptoms and confirmed with X-rays.[2]
Clavicle fractures are typically treated by putting the arm in a sling for one or two weeks.[1][2] Pain medication such as paracetamol (acetaminophen) may be useful.[1] It can take up to five months for the strength of the bone to return to normal.[3] Reasons for surgical repair include an open fracture, involvement of the nerves or blood vessels, or shortening of the clavicle by more than 1.5 cm in a young person.[1][4]
Clavicle fractures most commonly occur in people under the age of 25 and those over the age of 70.[2][3] Among the younger group males are more often affected than females.[3] In adults they make up about 5% of all fractures while in children they represent about 13% of fractures.[1][3]