how to rehab a collarbone after surgery

Rehab for a Broken Collarbone After Surgery

• Early Recovery. After clavicle surgery to correct a displaced fracture, your only rehab concern is to keep your arm...
• Stretching Exercises. Collarbone surgical repair rehab continues with stretching exercises. Under your doctor's...
• Strengthening Exercises. Strengthening exercises for rehab are appropriate for most clavicle...

Full Answer

How long does it take for a collar bone to heal?

Pendulum exercise. Remove the arm sling and stand beside a table. Lean forward and rest the hand of the non-affected arm on the table. Allow the affected arm to straighten and dangle freely. Gently swing the affected arm forward, backward, and in a circle for 2 to 3 minutes. In This Article: Surgery for Clavicle Fracture (Broken Collarbone)

How do you repair a broken collar bone?

Broken collarbone rehab protocol. Download PDF. DO NOT elevate surgical arm above 90 degrees in any plane for the first 4 weeks post-op. DO NOT lift any objects over 5 pounds with the surgical arm for the first 6 weeks. AVOID REPEATED reaching for the first 6 weeks. recommend regular icing routine for the first 2 weeks; please consult Post-Op Icing handout for full details.

How long does a broken collarbone to heal?

Jan 17, 2022 · Here are some exercises they may suggest in addition to the standard daily plan: Begin passive wall crawl or easy pulley exercises twice a day to build shoulder range of motion. 7 To do the wall crawl,... Start building elbow range of motion with easy pivots and bending and straightening the elbow ...

Does a broken collarbone need surgery?

May 21, 2021 · After surgery, you will need to wear a sling or a brace for 6 to 8 weeks. Also, you probably will need to take a strong pain medication called an opioid. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions for taking this medicine. After a few days, your doctor may switch you to an over-the-counter pain reliever.

How long does it take for collar bone to heal after surgery?

In general, recovery is similar to treating a broken clavicle without surgery with return to normal activity around three months or so and full recovery up to six to 12 months after surgery.Nov 4, 2020

Do you need physical therapy after collarbone surgery?

Treatment After Surgery Eight to 12 weeks of physical therapy is common after surgery. During the first week after surgery, your physical therapist will help you control pain and swelling.Apr 29, 2021

What can you do after collar bone surgery?

For a while after your surgery, you'll need to keep your arm immobile. Often, this means that you will need to wear your arm in a sling for several weeks. You'll receive instructions about how you can move your arm. Your doctor might give you other instructions about caring for your clavicle, like applying ice.

How can I make my clavicle heal faster?

To help speed the healing, you might get:A splint or brace to keep your shoulder from moving.A sling for your arm, which you might use for a few days.Anti-inflammatory painkillers, like aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen, which will help with pain and swelling. ... Range-of-motion and strengthening exercises.More items...•Nov 1, 2021

How do I train with a broken collarbone?

Shoulder flexion (lying down)Lie on your back, holding a wand with both hands. Your palms should face down as you hold the wand.Keep your elbows straight, and slowly raise your arms over your head until you feel a stretch in your shoulders, upper back, and chest.Hold for 15 to 30 seconds.Repeat 2 to 4 times.

How painful is clavicle surgery recovery?

You will have some pain during recovery. In most cases, an over-the-counter pain reliever can control the pain. An ice pack may also help reduce pain and swelling. You will start physical therapy during the first three weeks, while you are still using the sling.

What are the long term effects of a broken collarbone?

A Collarbone Fracture is not life threatening but can impact a patient's quality of life and function. Short Term - to pain, sleep disturbance and disability. Long Term - to malunion or non-union, that can result in ongoing pain and loss of function .

Can I sleep on my side with a broken collarbone?

Holding the broken bone above your heart prevents blood from pooling and causing swelling. First, try sleeping on your back while supporting yourself on several pillows. If this doesn't help, adjust slowly to the side position if possible. Sleep in the middle of the bed, so you don't fall in the middle of the night.Nov 30, 2020

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.

Can you drive with broken collarbone?

What should I avoid doing with a broken collarbone? With a broken collarbone, you should avoid doing anything that worsens the pain. For example, if driving is painful, then avoid driving until the fracture is healed. You can gradually ease yourself into doing activities that involve little to no pain.Nov 17, 2021

How to rehab a collarbone?

Rehab may include range of motion exercises like shoulder shrugs, pendulum swings and shoulder flexion. Shoulder shrugs should be completed without hand weights in this stage. To perform a pendulum swing, support yourself with your healthy arm on placing your palm on a table or heavy piece of furniture. Slowly swing your injured arm as far forward as you can, and then backward, stopping if you experience significant pain. Shoulder flexions are done by placing your injured arm next to a wall. Your hand should face your body and your forearm should come in contact with the wall. Slowly slide your arm up the wall until your upper arm also touches the wall. Slide as high as you can without pain.

What to do after collarbone surgery?

If your collarbone is displaced, or out or normal alignment, surgery is required. Rehab after surgery helps you regain normal motion of your arm and shoulder.

How to rehab a clavicle fracture?

Strengthening exercises for rehab are appropriate for most clavicle fracture patients to begin about three months after surgery. This type of rehab helps you regain the strength you have lost during recovery from the fracture and subsequent surgery. Arm curls work your bicep and tricep muscles and can be completed with hand weights ranging from two to five pounds, depending on your overall strength and condition. Keep your arm extended fully, grip the weight and bend your arm as much as you can without pain. Hold the position for 10 seconds before releasing. Chest raise s are usually part of a rehab program post-clavicle alignment surgery. Lie on your stomach with your arms straight at your sides. Raise your chest off the ground and hold for five seconds. This exercise is to be done without using your hands and is not the same as a pushup.

How to treat a broken collarbone?

Most broken collarbones are treated non-surgically by immobilizing your arm in a sling for several weeks. If your collarbone is displaced, or out or normal alignment, surgery is required.

How to do a pendulum swing?

To perform a pendulum swing, support yourself with your healthy arm on placing your palm on a table or heavy piece of furniture. Slowly swing your injured arm as far forward as you can, and then backward, stopping if you experience significant pain. Shoulder flexions are done by placing your injured arm next to a wall.

How long does it take for a sling to heal after surgery?

Your doctor will monitor your healing for the first six to eight weeks after surgery before prescribing physical therapy exercises.

How to do chest raises after clavicle surgery?

Lie on your stomach with your arms straight at your sides. Raise your chest off the ground and hold for five seconds. This exercise is to be done without using your hands and is not the same as a pushup.

How long after surgery can you lift your arm?

DO NOT lift any objects over 5 pounds with the surgical arm for the first 6 weeks. AVOID REPEATED reaching for the first 6 weeks.

What is isometric shoulder abduction?

isometric shoulder abduction, adduction, extension and flexion with arm at side. -Soft tissue treatments for associated shoulder and neck musculature for comfort. cardiovascular training such as well arm cycling, biking for Active Recovery.

How long to keep arm in sling after clavicle injury?

Use a sling . Keep your injured arm in a sling for three to four weeks post-injury to help support the clavicle as it heals. 2 . See your doctor . Keep your doctor's appointments and see your physical therapist during your rehab.

How to avoid a fractured arm?

Don't lift too much. Avoid lifting anything with the fractured arm until cleared by your doctor. Don't shrug, slouch, or let your shoulders round while in the sling. While using a sling, it's important to watch your body mechanics and maintain proper bone and muscle alignment to avoid future problems.

What is the muscle on the back of the upper arm responsible for extending the elbow?

Isometric triceps exercises : The triceps brachii is the muscle on the back of the upper arm primarily responsible for extending the elbow. Rest your injured arm on a table with your elbow at 90 degrees. Make a fist and press onto the table with your entire forearm, from fist to elbow.

What can a physical therapist do to help restore mobility?

Your physical therapist can recommend using heat, ice, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation ( TENS ). Range of motion (ROM): Joint mobilization techniques can help restore joint mobility and your therapist will teach you how to do these at home. Several exercises are used to help restore range of motion.

What exercises can help with immobilization?

Strength: Strengthening exercises will help restore the muscle and bone strength lost during immobilization. 3 . Scar tissue mobility: If you had surgery for your fracture, your physical therapist may use scar mobilization and massage techniques and teach you how to do self-massage at home.

How to stop a therapist from catching your joints?

You may include the following: Increase the intensity of strength-training exercises. Begin sports-specific skill drills and exercises.

What is the best exercise routine for a sprained arm?

During isometric exercises, you contract your muscles without movement. Here are the exercises you can expect: Pendulum exercise : In this exercise, you bend forward at the waist and let your injured arm hang down toward the ground.

How long does it take to recover from a broken collarbone?

A broken collarbone is a common injury. Your doctor might call it a fractured clavicle. Recovery from this broken bone can take up to 12 weeks. During recovery, you might need to wear a sling or a brace. You may also need physical therapy to learn strengthening and mobility exercises.

What to do if your collarbone breaks?

You may need surgery if your collarbone breaks in several pieces or if the pieces move too far out of place. The surgeon may use plates or screws to bring the bone ends or pieces together so they he al properly. Recovery after surgery usually takes longer and involves more pain.

How long do you have to wear a sling after a bone fracture?

You don't normally need surgery for this type of break. Instead, you will need to wear a sling for about six weeks. The sling helps reduce pain and swelling. It keeps the ends of the broken bone in the right position for your bone to heal correctly. You will have some pain during recovery.

How long does it take to recover from a sling?

After about 6 to 8 weeks, you may add strengthening exercises. Full recovery may take 3 to 4 months.

How long does it take to heal from a break?

The length of recovery varies from person to person. After about three weeks , your doctor may take an X-ray to see how your break is healing.

How long does it take to heal from a shoulder X-ray?

If the X-ray looks good, you may start gentle range-of-motion exercises for your shoulder. After about six weeks , you may have another X-ray. If you're healing well, you may be able to stop using the sling. Then, your exercises will include more active range of motion.

What to do if you have a swollen ear?

After a few days, your doctor may switch you to an over-the-counter pain reliever. You also can use an ice pack to reduce pain and swelling.

How to heal a broken collarbone?

Make sure you see your doctor and get follow-up x-rays to check the progress of your recovery. As we already learned, broken collarbone recovery time isn’t short and there are ways to fasten it. Rarely, a broken collarbone does not heal and may need repeated surgeries and treatments. If the fracture is severe and the bones fragment, it may be complicated to put things back together. The good news is, they don’t always need surgery and will heal on their own with time and patience. Talk to an orthopedic surgeon to see what the best course of treatment would be for you.

What to do if you have a displaced collarbone?

This will help line the bones back up and keep them stable during the broken collarbone recovery time. It also preserves the muscle strength in the shoulder joint.

How to heal a fractured arm?

If your doctor decides that the injury/fracture isn’t too severe and the bones will heal without surgery, the different nonsurgical treatments include: 1 Pain Medication – You will most likely be told to take a pain reliever or prescribed a pain medication to help you in during your healing period. Anti-inflammatories will help will swelling. 2 Support – Your doctor will most likely suggest an arm sling to keep the arm and shoulder stable. This helps right after you fracture the bone to help keep the bones lined up and support your shoulder. 3 Therapy and Exercise– You will spend some time in an arm sling in the beginning and this can cause muscle atrophy. When your pain level goes down, your doctor may suggest therapy to start doing some exercises to your shoulder to help reduce stiff muscles and increase strength. You may continue with therapy after your fracture heals to build up more strength in the arm and shoulder. 4 Doctor Care – Regular doctor appointments will help your doctor monitor the healing of your collarbone. The doctor will check your shoulder and arm and most likely do some follow-up x-rays. They will let you know when you are ready to return to work or sports. 5 Complications – If you try to do too much, you may displace the fracture. There can also be a buildup of bone fragments that cause a condition known as “malunion.” Some people also develop a bump at the fracture site that may be permanent.

What is the collarbone responsible for?

The collarbone is responsible for protecting blood vessels and nerves in your neck and shoulder area. A break in collarbone can occur with contact sports like football, hockey, and wrestling.

How to keep arm and shoulder stable after fracture?

Therapy and Exercise– You will spend some time in an arm sling in the beginning and this can cause muscle atrophy.

What does a broken collarbone look like?

If the fracture site is pressed, there is severe pain. A broken collarbone will often look like a “tent” where the bone is pushing up. You will most likely be sent for an x-ray or CT scan to look at the fracture. Depending on the severity of the injury, the doctor will decide the best treatment for a quick broken collarbone recovery time.

How long does it take for a broken collarbone to heal?

It really depends on how severe your injury was. Children may heal much faster in about 3 to 6 weeks and adults need 6 to 16 weeks to heal. The important thing is to keep up with follow-up appointments so your doctor can re-check the injury ...

How long does pain last after clavicle surgery?

Typically most of the recovery is completed by 3-5 months. Some stiffness in the shoulder can happen after these injuries, but usually resolves by 6 months after the injury. Sometimes, the clavicle fracture does not heal. This can happen with fractures that were treated with surgery or without.

How long does it take to recover from clavicle surgery?

Typically patients are placed into a sling for a week or two to allow for healing of the incision, and then allowed gradual activity. Most clavicle fractures heal after about 6 to 12 weeks.

Can I take my sling off to sleep?

SLEEPING: For the first 6 weeks your sling should be kept on while you are in bed. You may find it more comfortable to sleep on your back initially, with a pillow under your operated arm for support. You may also find it more comfortable to sleep in a semi-sitting position.

How do you sleep after clavicle surgery?

If you can, sleep in a recliner, or reclined position up to a couple weeks after your surgery. If you don’t have a recliner, you can use pillows on the couch or in bed. You can even purchase a 45 degree wedge online or at your nearest medical supply store.

Can you move your arm with a broken collarbone?

You can move and use the arm and shoulder without pain. In general, people can go back to noncontact sports (such as running or swimming) in about 6 weeks and contact sports (such as football, lacrosse, and hockey) in 8–12 weeks.

How long will I be off work after shoulder arthroscopy?

This will probably start 1 to 2 weeks after your surgery and last for 4 to 6 months. You may be able to do easier daily activities in 2 to 3 weeks. Most people who work at desk jobs can go back to work at this time. If you lift, push, or pull at work, you will probably need 3 to 4 months off.

Do metal plates and screws need to be removed?

Occasionally a screw is positioned across a joint to help hold that joint in place whilst it heals and it should be removed before moving the joint again to prevent breakage of the metalwork. Infected metalwork should always be removed preferably after the fracture has healed.

Early Recovery

Stretching Exercises

• Collarbone surgical repair rehab continues with stretching exercises. Under your doctor's supervision, you may be able to start this phase of rehabilitation approximately eight weeks after the procedure. Rehab may include range of motion exercises like shoulder shrugs, pendulum swings and shoulder flexion. Shoulder shrugs should be completed withou...

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Strengthening Exercises

Considerations