Advice when you have a broken collar bone

Patient Information Leaflet

Virtual Fracture Clinic

Introduction

Your child has fractured their clavicle which means they have broken the collar bone in their shoulder (see figure 1). This type of fracture is common in children.

Figure 1 shows where the break is in your child’s shoulder

What is the treatment?

This type of fracture heals well – the only treatments required are painkillers and a sling.

What should I do at home?

• We would expect the collar bone to be painful for four to six weeks.
• Your child may find it more comfortable to sleep sitting upright for a few days after the injury. The sling can be removed at night with a pillow placed under the arm for support.
• Your child can move their shoulder and arm out of the sling as comfort allows. This will usually be about two weeks after the injury but can be sooner, if comfortable
• The ‘bump’ over the fracture is quite normal and is produced by healing bone. It may take up to one year to disappear. If your child is older than 10 years, a small bump may remain.
• Your child can return to sports such as swimming as soon as comfortable but should avoid contact sports (such as football, rugby and basketball) for six weeks.
• If your child is still experiencing significant problems after three months, please phone the Fracture Clinic for further advice on 01384 456111 ext. 2220.

If you have any questions, or if there is anything you do not understand, please contact the Russells Hall Hospital switchboard number on 01384 456111 and ask for the relevant department who issued this leaflet.

If you have any feedback on this patient information leaflet please email dgft.patient.information@nhs.net

This leaflet can be made available in large print, audio version and in other languages, please call 0800 073 0510.

Originator: Katrina Kerr. Date originated: August 2017. Review date: April 2029. Version: 2. DGH ref: DGH/PIL/01383