Prognosis/healing duration | Collarbone fracture in a toddler

Prognosis/healing duration

In children, healing a broken bone takes very little time compared to an adult. There are very few known cases where healing has not occurred. If the backpack bandage is removed after 1-4 weeks and the child does not show any pressure or movement pain and no instability at the fracture can be felt, then it can be assumed that the collarbone fracture has healed.

An x-ray examination is only necessary in exceptional cases after removal of the dressing if there are still complaints or limitations. If surgery has been performed, no further protection is necessary after removal of the fixation. Wires and elastic nails are removed after about 4 – 12 weeks; plates after 4 – 6 months.

Before and after removal of the wires, plates or nails, an X-ray is taken to show the exact position of the former fracture gap. After removal, a sling can be worn for a few days if slight pain is present after the procedure. Most children do not have any problems or complaints after the healing process.

In rare cases, pseudoarthroses (approx. 1%) develop after the operation. These are due to incorrect fixation of the fracture gap, insufficient immobilization of the shoulder or very complicated fractures.

The collarbone (clavicle) is located in the shoulder. It has two joints, one in contact with the sternum and the other with the shoulder joint. The clavicle fracture is a common fracture in childhood and heals after about 3-4 weeks.

In newborns, the fracture of the clavicle can be the result of a birth trauma. This type of fracture in newborns usually does not require treatment. In infants, the clavicula fracture is the result of external force. Here, conservative therapy is usually sufficient.

When can my child play sports again?

It takes about 3 to 4 weeks for the collarbone to heal in children. After removal of the backpack bandage, physiotherapeutic treatment should already be started in order to promote mobility in the shoulder. If there is no pain during physiotherapy and the shoulder is free to move, sport can be slowly resumed.

In this case, overloading of the shoulder joint and jerky, sweeping movements should be avoided at the beginning. In case of pain, the load should be stopped.