Duration and prognosis | Collarbone fracture

Duration and prognosis

In the vast majority of cases, the operation is unproblematic, so that the clavicle fracture is well taken care of and heals after some time without any restrictions. Movement and load capacity are then fully developed again. Initially, the bone is of course only partially resilient, but with targeted training and the necessary caution, healing usually proceeds extremely well.

Only in exceptional cases is a correction necessary or a limitation is left behind. After the collarbone fracture has been treated by surgery, the healing process takes several weeks. At first, a plaster cast or a sling is still worn.

On the first day after surgery, slight movements in the sling are possible. The duration of the hospital stay is usually 2 days, after which the sling can be removed in week 3. For the duration of approx.

12 weeks, the collarbone fracture is not yet completely healed, so that partial weight-bearing should only begin from week 6 onwards. After 6-12 months the remaining metal plates are removed. The healing of a collarbone fracture is a process that takes several weeks and is influenced by various factors.

Healing begins immediately after the surgery, when the joined bone parts start to grow together. For the remaining weeks, only light stress is indicated in addition to physiotherapy, so as not to delay the healing process. If complications occur, the duration of healing can be significantly prolonged, especially if another operation is necessary.

As a rule, however, healing proceeds well even in the case of a complicated collarbone fracture. On average, the bone is fully resilient again within 8-12 weeks after a collarbone fracture. In children, however, the healing time is often reduced.

They are recommended to wear the backpack bandage for about 10 days. Adults, on the other hand, should leave the rucksack bandage in place for 2-3 weeks if conservative therapy is used. Afterwards the edges of the break should have grown together.

Full loading can be achieved after 6-8 weeks. After this time, the fracture can usually be considered completely healed. Nevertheless, a certain amount of caution should be observed in the initial period.

The duration of the recovery can be prolonged by complications, some of which can be significant, but these are rare. In the acute situation of the injury, immediate immobilization with cooling can minimize the local reaction and reduce bruising. In the subsequent healing phase, the most important prerequisite for rapid healing of the fracture is that the edges of the fracture lie exactly on top of each other and are not displaced.

A physician should be consulted as early as possible to check the position of the bones. Afterwards, the patient’s task is not to move the shoulder and stabilize the fracture. Only in this way can the bones heal as quickly as possible.

If a patient has to undergo surgery for a collarbone fracture, a sick note is mandatory. How long the sick leave has to be depends on the individual healing process and the activities one does during the work. People who work mainly with their arms should be given a sick note until they have recovered sufficiently, i.e. at least 4-6 weeks.

Afterwards, one should not put full weight on the body yet and slowly return to work. If this is not possible, the sick leave can be extended further. For people who are not exposed to a heavy load and, for example, mainly pursue office work, a sick note of 2 weeks may be sufficient.

In all cases, however, this period should not be shorter than this, as the most important part of the healing process takes place directly after the operation. You should also not feel under pressure and take sick leave until you feel up to the tasks at work or school again. In rare cases, complications can occur during the course of treatment, in which the fracture does not heal at all or heals only inadequately via a so-called “pseudoarthrosis”.

In these cases, the treating physician must carefully consider whether healing can be achieved by a dislocation and “repositioning” of the bone, or whether surgery is necessary. After a few weeks of unsuccessful healing, the bone must often be surgically fixed.For this purpose, the ends of the fractures are placed directly on top of each other and fixed together with a plate or wires. The shoulder must then be immobilized in a backpack bandage. Particularly in young people, optimal healing must be aimed for to avoid long-term malpositioning and visible deformities.