Broken Clavicle Surgery

Initial consultation

When diagnosing your clavicle fracture, your healthcare provider will begin with a thorough physical examination, carefully assessing your shoulder, collarbone, and surrounding areas for tenderness, swelling, and any abnormal movement. To confirm your diagnosis and determine the exact location and severity of your break, X-rays are typically performed. These images help your doctor identify whether your fracture is in the middle of the clavicle (called the shaft), near where the bone attaches to your shoulder blade, or close to your sternum (breastbone). In more complex cases, such as when your fracture involves multiple bone fragments or there are concerns about potential complications, your doctor may use a CT scan to get a more detailed view. Classifying the type of clavicle fracture you have is essential, as it guides the most appropriate treatment plan for your specific situation and helps your healthcare provider predict how your healing process will progress.

Non-surgical treatment

For many clavicle fractures, especially those where your bone fragments remain in alignment or are only slightly displaced, non-surgical treatment is often the preferred approach for your recovery. This conservative treatment typically involves you wearing a sling or shoulder immobiliser to support your arm and keep the broken pieces of bone in the correct position, allowing your clavicle to heal naturally. Pain management is integral to your recovery. It may include you taking pain medication and applying ice packs to reduce swelling and ease your discomfort during the initial healing period.

As your healing progresses, gentle exercises are introduced, usually after about 2 weeks, to help restore shoulder strength and improve range of motion. You must follow the guidance of your orthopaedic surgeon and attend all your follow-up appointments to monitor how your bone heals and to ensure your fracture is mending properly. With patience and adherence to your treatment plan, most patients experience a full recovery without surgery, typically returning to normal activities within several weeks to a few months, depending on the rate of healing.

During broken clavicle surgery, the primary goal is to realign the fractured bone fragments and stabilise them to promote proper bone healing and restore shoulder function. The most commonly performed surgical procedure is open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). In this procedure, the surgeon makes an incision over the fracture site to access the broken clavicle bone. The bone fragments are carefully repositioned into their correct anatomical alignment (open reduction). Then, special metal hardware, such as plates and screws, is used to hold the bone ends securely in place (internal fixation) while the healing process occurs.

The surgery is typically performed under general anaesthesia, ensuring that you are unconscious and pain-free throughout the procedure. The surgeon will take great care to avoid injury to nearby blood vessels and nerves, which lie close to the clavicle. Once the bone fragments are stabilised with metal plates and screws, the incision is closed with sutures or staples.

The use of metal plates and screws provides rigid fixation, which can improve shoulder strength and allow for earlier mobilisation compared to nonsurgical treatment. This approach is especially beneficial for displaced mid-shaft clavicle fractures in which the bone ends have moved significantly out of position, or for cases involving multiple bone fragments. Surgery may also be recommended to relieve pain caused by unstable fractures and to reduce the risk of complications such as non-union or malunion.

After the hardware is placed, the surgical team will monitor you as you wake from anaesthesia and provide pain management to ease pain during the initial recovery phase. Most patients wear a sling after surgery to immobilise the shoulder and protect the repair.

While most clavicle fractures have excellent healing potential, it’s essential to be aware of the risks and complications associated with both non-surgical and surgical treatment approaches. One important concern is that significantly displaced fractures may heal more slowly or require surgical intervention. Other possible complications include surgical site infection and injury to nearby nerves or blood vessels. In some cases, the bone may fail to heal properly, resulting in malunion (healing in an incorrect anatomical position) or non-union (complete failure of the bone to heal), both of which can lead to persistent pain and compromised shoulder function over time.

You must engage in thorough discussions with your orthopaedic surgeon about these specific risks and adhere closely to the recommended treatment protocol. Regular follow-up appointments are essential, as they allow your healthcare provider to monitor healing progress, address emerging complications at the earliest possible stage, and make necessary adjustments to your care plan as your condition evolves. By maintaining a proactive approach and staying well-informed about your treatment, you can help ensure the optimal outcome for your clavicle fracture recovery.