Your collarbone (clavicle) is long and thin “S” shaped bone that connects the shoulder blade and the sternum, and given its shape and positioning, it’s little wonder that it is one of the most commonly broken bones during athletics, falls or as a result of direct trauma. Fortunately, because it isn’t responsible for handling a lot of stress, the collarbone tends to heal well without the need for corrective surgery. But what will this timeline look like, and when can you expect to be back to normal activities after a collarbone fracture? We take a closer look at the recovery timeline for a collarbone fracture in today’s blog.
Non-Surgical Recovery Timeline For Clavicle Fractures
A determination for the best path forward after a collarbone fracture will be made by a medical professional who can assess your fracture in person and talk with you about your lifestyle and activity goals. Some large or unstable fractures will require surgical intervention, but for the most part, doctors will recommend conservative care to address mild to moderate collarbone fractures. Here’s what a general recovery course will look like, but your treating physician will provide a more personalized program based on your individual fracture and needs.
- 0-2 Weeks – You can expect to wear a sling at all times during the first two weeks of your recovery. The goal here is to immobilize the area and protect it from further damage as the beginning stages of healing take place. Don’t expect to do any range of motion exercises during this stage, but your doctor may recommend that you use a small stress ball to keep muscles engaged and boost circulation to that shoulder and arm since it will be immobilized for an extended period.
- 2-6 Weeks – You’ll be able to ditch the sling at times during the second stage of recovery. The sling may still provide comfort and protection during certain activities, but you don’t want to be overly protective now that you’re out of the initial stage of recovery. Now is when gentle range of motion exercises and resistance band training will strengthen your shoulder area following a period of limited use. If you want your shoulder to remain strong and functional once the bone healing has completed, really working during your physical therapy sessions in the second stage of recovery is essential.
- Weeks 6-12 – Most providers will have you completely ditch the sling at the 6-week mark because enough healing has occurred for your shoulder to be able to tolerate daily movements. You’re not yet ready for all normal daily activities by six weeks, but you won’t need the added support from the sling. Most patients need 3-4 months before they are cleared for all regular activities, and you can work towards full clearance by making some smart choices during the third phase of recovery. Daily range of motion and strengthening exercises are a must, and you also want to mind your restrictions at this point. Many people feel close to full health around the 8-10 week mark, but there’s still some healing that needs to occur, so don’t return to work or step outside of your activity restrictions unless you’ve been officially cleared by your physician. Most patients can tolerate activities at the end of the third stage, but you may need more time to return to extreme manual labor or contact sports, so again it’s important to discuss your lifestyle and goals with your shoulder specialist when developing a treatment plan for your collarbone fracture.
If you’re dealing with a shoulder fracture or a different type of injury that is limiting your ability to pursue the activities you love, connect with Dr. Holloway and his team today at (865) 410-7887.
