York, ME (207) 363 3490 | Portsmouth, NH (603) 431 1121

20Hip Care
10Hip-Conditions and Injuries
Cartilage Injury
Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
Gluteal Tears
Hamstring Tears
Hip Instability
Deep Gluteal Space Syndrome
Labral Tears
Psoas Impingement (Internal Snapping Hip)
PVNS
Trochanteric Bursitis
10Hip-Treatment and Surgeries
Acetabuloplasty
Chondroplasty
Femoroplasty
Gluteal Repair
Labral Debridement
Labral Reconstruction
Labral Repair
Nanofracture
Psoas Release
Trochanteric Bursa Debridement
33Knee Care
13Knee Conditions and Injuries
ACL Tear
Cartilage Injury
Discoid Meniscus
Lateral Meniscus Tear
LCL Injury
MCL Injury
Medial Meniscus Tear
Osteoarthritis
Osteochondritis Dessicans
Patellar Instability
Patellofemoral Chondromalacia
Posterolateral Corner Injury
Trochlear Dysplasia
20Knee Treatment and Surgeries
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction
Cartilage Restoration Surgery – Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI-Carticel)
Cartilage Restoration Surgery – Donor Graft
Collagen Meniscal Implant (CMI)
Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) Reconstruction
Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Reconstruction
Meniscus Repair
Meniscus Root Repair
Meniscal Transplant
Medial Patellofemoral Ligament (MPFL) Reconstruction
Nanofracture
Osteochondral Allograft Transfer
Osteochondral Autograft Transfer (OATS)
Partial Knee Replacement (MAKO)
Partial Meniscectomy
Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Reconstruction
Posterolateral Corner (PLC) Surgery
Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy
Total Knee Replacement (MAKO)
Trochleoplasty
20Shoulder Care
10Shoulder-Conditions and Injuries
AC Joint Injuries
Arthritis
Biceps Tendon Injuries
Calcific Tendinitis
Clavicle Fractures
Frozen Shoulder
Labral and SLAP Tears
Rotator Cuff Injuries
Shoulder Dislocation/Instability
Subacromial Impingement/Busitis
10Shoulder-Treatment and Surgeries
A-C Joint Stabilization
Biceps Tenodesis
Clavicle Fracture Fixation
Pectoralis Major Repair
Rotator Cuff Repair
Shoulder Instability Surgery – Bankart Repair
Shoulder Instability Surgery – Latarjet Procedure
Subacromial Decompression and Acromioplasty
Superior Capsular Reconstruction
Total Shoulder Replacement

CLAVICLE FRACTURES

The clavicle (collarbone) is a bone located on the top of the chest. The clavicle sits right below the skin and has very little soft tissue coverage. The clavicle is a “strut” that helps keep the upper limb away from the chest area, providing the arm/shoulder with tremendous range of motion. The clavicle also protects various nerves and arteries in the upper chest. Clavicle fractures are common and usually occur following a direct impact. They often occur in cyclists, contact athletes, and in people involved in motor vehicle accidents.

Symptoms

  • Sharp pain on top of the shoulder
  • Skin swelling and redness
  • Cosmetic deformity with prominent bone

Diagnosis And Treatment

Dr. Welch considers each patient’s symptoms, as well as a detailed physical examination and x-rays to make the diagnosis of a clavicle fracture. Most patients with a clavicle fracture can be treated successfully without surgery. Dr. Welch usually recommends a sling for comfort. It is important to come out of the sling multiple times a day to promote range of motion in the elbow and to perform gentle range of motion exercises in the shoulder. Dr. Welch also recommends a dedicated physical therapy program that helps strengthen the muscles and ligaments around the shoulder. Physical therapy usually starts four weeks following the injury.

Some clavicle fractures are worse than others. There are a number of studies demonstrating that certain types of clavicle fractures do not heal reliably and may also lead to chronic weakness and pain if treated without surgery. Those fractures that are in multiple pieces (comminuted) and that are overlapped (shortened) tend to have worse outcomes without surgery. Dr. Welch may recommend surgical treatment for patients with these types of fractures. Surgery involves an open incision in which Dr. Welch positions the fracture appropriately and then usually fixes the fracture with a plate and screws.

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