What you need to know about a broken clavicle

Have you ever felt a long bone that runs in both directions at the base of your neck, just above your chest? That's what we call the 'clavicle' in medical terms. But the word we are familiar with is the 'collarbone' or 'collarbone' in English. This is a very important bone in our body, and one that can be easily injured. So today, let's talk about it all simply and in a friendly way.

Simply put, what is a clavicle?

The clavicle is a long, slightly curved bone that connects your arm to the rest of your body. It acts like a bridge between your shoulder and the middle bone in your chest (sternum). One of the main functions of this bone is to help keep your shoulder in the correct position when you raise your arm.

The name 'clavicle' comes from the Latin word 'clavicula'. It means 'little key'. In fact, the shape of this bone is a bit like the shape of an old-fashioned key. And the way it works is like a key. Think of it like when you turn a key, a lock opens, and when you raise your arm, this clavicle bone also rotates along that axis and allows that movement.

Because of its location and the role it plays in shoulder movement, this bone is very susceptible to injury. It can be broken during sports, falls (especially when hitting the ground with an outstretched arm), and car accidents. It can also be damaged during birth in infants.

What are the common conditions that affect the clavicle?

This bone is long, thin, and lies just under the skin. That's why it's more prone to damage. It's especially common in active children, young adults, and those who play sports. Among adults, especially as they get older, this bone is more likely to break due to falls.

Let's see what are the main conditions that affect this bone.

1. Clavicle Fracture

This is the most common condition. The bone can break in one place, or it can break into several pieces. When it breaks into many pieces, we call it a comminuted fracture . Sometimes, the two broken pieces of bone can move around without aligning with each other. This is called a displaced clavicle fracture .

2. Separated Shoulder

This is not a bone fracture. It is a tear in the ligaments, the strong tissue that connects the scapula to the shoulder blade. This causes the scapula to move slightly from its original position and appear as a lump under the skin. This can cause severe pain.

3. Other situations

In addition to these injuries, several other medical conditions can affect the collarbone.

• Osteoarthritis: A painful condition caused by wear and tear on the joints over time.
• Bone cancer: Although very rare, cancer can occur in the bones.
• Osteomyelitis: An infection of the bone caused by a germ.
• Thoracic outlet syndrome: Pain and numbness in the arm and shoulder caused by compression of the blood vessels and nerves that pass between the collarbone and the first rib.

How do you recognize a problem with the tailbone?

If there is a problem with the scapula, the main symptom is pain . However, there are several other symptoms that can be seen along with it. Let's take a closer look at them in the table below.

How does the doctor check this?

When you see a doctor, he will first examine you and ask about how the accident happened. Then, he may run some tests to confirm the exact situation.

• X-ray: This is the most common test. An X-ray can clearly show whether a bone is broken and, if so, how it is broken.
• MRI or CT scan: Sometimes, if the doctor wants to see damage to soft tissues, such as ligaments and muscles around the bone, he may recommend an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or CT (Computed Tomography) scan .

What are the treatments for this?

The treatment method depends on the nature of the damage you have suffered.

Cases where surgery is not required

In most cases, when a broken collarbone is broken, surgery is not necessary. If the bone fragments are not dislocated, these treatments can heal the fracture.

• Immobilization of the arm: Your doctor may order you to wear a special arm sling to keep your shoulder and arm still. This will give the bone the rest it needs to heal.
• Ice: To reduce pain and swelling, you can apply ice for about 20 minutes several times a day.
• Painkillers: Use painkillers (e.g. paracetamol, ibuprofen) exactly as prescribed by your doctor to control pain.

Cases where surgery is required

If the bone is broken into several pieces, if the broken pieces are displaced, or if the bone has broken through the skin, surgery may be necessary. The surgeon will move the broken pieces back into their correct positions and use plates and screws to hold them in place.

How do we protect our hip bone?

Although we cannot control the risks, there are several things we can do to keep our skeletal system strong and minimize the risks.

• Exercise for strong bones: Do at least 30 minutes of weight-bearing exercises, such as walking and jogging, most days of the week.
• Proper nutrition: Add foods rich in bone-strengthening calcium and vitamin D (milk, yogurt, cheese, small fish) to your diet.
• Strengthen muscles: Strengthen the muscles around the bones through resistance exercises.
• Fall prevention: Be careful on stairs and slippery surfaces. Remove things that could trip you up at home.
• Get rid of bad habits: Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption weaken bones. Avoid them.
• Wearing safety equipment: When playing sports (e.g. rugby) or riding a bicycle, wear appropriate safety equipment (shoulder pads, helmet).

Finally, the 'clavicle' and 'collarbone' are the same bone, although they are called by different names. This is a bone that is essential for the movement of our shoulder and arm, and is also a bone that can be easily injured. Therefore, it is very important to take care of it and seek medical advice quickly in case of an accident.

clavicle, collarbone, clavicle fracture, shoulder pain, clavicle fracture, bone fracture