How long does it take to heal a broken clavicle

Returning to play physical-contact sports after a broken collarbone is different for everyone, including professional athletes. Physical therapist, Chad Kofoed explains what rehab is like for a professional athlete and what you should expect too during your recovery time.

Table of Contents Show

What is the typical recovery time for a broken collarbone?
For a professional football athlete, what does rehab look like?
Will rehab continue after getting back onto the field?
How does this compare to a non-pro athlete?
What is a broken collarbone?
Your Care Instructions
How can you care for yourself at home?
When should you call for help?
Where can you learn more?
What is the fastest way to heal a broken clavicle?
Does a broken collarbone heal completely?
How painful is a broken clavicle?
How long do you have to wear a sling for a broken collarbone?

What is the typical recovery time for a broken collarbone?

The typical heal time for a broken collarbone can vary based on the severity and type of fracture. Smaller collarbone fractures that do not need surgery can often heal in as little as four to six weeks. Larger fractures broken into many pieces requires stabilization with a plate and screws. This type of fracture may take three or more months to heal.

For a professional football athlete, what does rehab look like?

For a professional football athlete or not, all rehab follows the same general process:

Just Heal: All fractures need time to heal and generally be left alone. The first four weeks of typical recovery time likely involves wearing a sling.
Range Of Motion (ROM): The second part of rehab from a collarbone fracture involves restoring the full ROM needed to throw a football again. Flexibility likely returned with only a week or two of mild stretching.
Strengthening: Regaining total shoulder strength is crucial before a throwing program can begin. With advances in rehab, such as blood flow restriction therapy, progressions in strength after surgery occurring post operatively faster than ever before.
Throwing: Once cleared to throw, the next step in rehab is to throw for a few weeks and conditioning the arm to get back on the field.

Will rehab continue after getting back onto the field?

Yes and no. For the most part, once a fracture has healed a player should be able to return to play unrestricted. Mild increases in pain and swelling around the fracture site is not uncommon. The professional team’s medical staff will watch and treat these symptoms as they occur.

How does this compare to a non-pro athlete?

The main difference in the rehab of a professional athlete comes down to risk vs. reward. Most patients rehabbing from a collarbone fracture don’t care if it takes 8 or 12 weeks, just as long as they get better.

What is a broken collarbone?

Your Care Instructions

You have broken or cracked your collarbone, or clavicle. The collarbone is the long, slightly curved bone that connects the shoulder to the chest. It supports the shoulder.

A broken collarbone may take 6 weeks or longer to heal. You will need to wear an arm sling to keep the broken bone from moving while it heals. At first, it may hurt to move your arm. This will get better with time.

You heal best when you take good care of yourself. Eat a variety of healthy foods, and don't smoke.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

How can you care for yourself at home?

Wear the sling day and night for as long as your doctor tells you to. You may take off the sling when you bathe. When the sling is off, avoid arm positions or motions that cause or increase pain.
Put ice or a cold pack on your collarbone for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when you are awake) or until the swelling goes down. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
- If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
- If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
- Do not take two or more pain medicines at the same time unless the doctor told you to. Many pain medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.
Try sleeping with pillows propped under your arm for comfort.
After a few days, put your fingers, wrist, and elbow through their full range of motion several times a day. This will keep them from getting stiff. You may get instructions on rehabilitation exercises you can do when your shoulder starts to heal.
You may use warm packs after the first 3 days for 15 to 20 minutes at a time to ease pain.
You may notice a bump where the collarbone is broken. Over time, the bump will get smaller. A small bump may remain, but it should not affect your arm's strength or movement.

When should you call for help?

Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:

Your fingers become numb, tingly, cool, or pale.
You cannot move your arm.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if:

You have increased pain and swelling.
You do not get better as expected.

Where can you learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

Enter P186 in the search box to learn more about "Broken Collarbone: Care Instructions".

What is the fastest way to heal a broken clavicle?

The most common way to treat the fractures in the middle is with immobilization with either a sling or a special bandage called a figure-of-8 splint. Studies have shown that these fractures heal just as quickly and as well with a sling as with the figure-of-8 splint, so we recommend a sling in a majority of cases.

Does a broken collarbone heal completely?

A broken collarbone can take several months to heal completely. Until then, moving your shoulder will tend to move the area where the bone was broken, and that can be painful. Most broken collarbones heal quite well and do not require surgery.

How painful is a broken clavicle?

A clavicle fracture can be very painful and may make it hard to move your arm. Other signs and symptoms of a fracture may include: Sagging of the shoulder downward and forward. Inability to lift the arm because of pain.

How long do you have to wear a sling for a broken collarbone?

You will be given a sling to support your arm; this should be used for 2 to 6 weeks whilst the injury heals. Wear the sling during the day but remove it for exercises and personal hygiene. You can wear it at night time if you find it more comfortable but you don't have to.