Fractured collarbone
Recovery advice
You may find the following advice helpful while recovering from a broken collarbone:
- use extra pillows at night to keep yourself more upright if you find sleeping uncomfortable
- use ice packs and painkillers if pain and swelling continues while your arm is in a sling
- try to move your elbow, hand and fingers regularly as soon as it's comfortable to do so
- whenyou think the fracture has started to heal, try removing the sling for short periods at a time if it's not too painful
- avoid contact sports for at least 10 to 12 weeks after the injury your doctor will tell you when you can go back to work and resume normal activities
It's important to let your arm hang freely. Avoid resting your armsand elbows on chairs, tables, pillows or inside the sleeves of clothes until you've healed.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
A broken collarbone, or fractured clavicle, is a common injury that usually happens after a fall on to the shoulder.
Signs of a broken collarbone
A cracked or broken collarbone will be extremely painful. There may also be: swelling or tenderness around the injured area bruising to the skin bleeding if the bone has damaged the tissue and ski
What you should do
While you wait to see a doctor, stabilise the arm by using a towel as a sling (this goes under the forearm and then around the neck). Try to move the arm as little as possible. Take over-the-counter
How a broken collarbone is treated
Most broken collarbones are left to heal naturallyusing a simple triangular sling to support the arm and hold the bones together in their normal positions. The sling is usually applied in hospital af
How long does it take to heal?
In adults, it usually takes about six to eight weeks for a broken collarbone to heal, although it can take longer. In children, it usually takes about three to six weeks to heal. However, it will tak
Recovery advice
You may find the following advice helpful while recovering from a broken collarbone: use extra pillows at night to keep yourself more upright if you find sleeping uncomfortable use ice packs and pa
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