How old does a child have to be to break a collarbone?

How old does a child have to be to break a collarbone?

The clavicle is a thin and long bone. The collarbone is still developing until the age of 20. Therefore, clavicle fractures are common injuries in children and teens ( 2 ). Bone strength decreases as you age, so clavicle fractures are also common injuries in the elderly ( 3 ).

What happens to your arm when your collarbone is broken?

There may have been a snapping or grinding noise when your collarbone broke. In severe cases, one end of the bone may poke through the skin. Most broken collarbones are left to heal naturally using a simple triangular sling to support the arm and hold the bones together in their normal position.

Is it worth it to pin a broken collarbone?

If you think pinning is worthwhile, insist early on or it’s not worth it as the bone is healing straight away. For me, pinning would have saved time but not necessarily been the best option as it was a simple break and was always going to heal on its own.

When do you need surgery for a broken collarbone?

Surgery under a general anaesthetic is only needed if the injury is severe – for example, where the bone has broken through the skin – or if the bones have failed to line up and are overlapping significantly. Several techniques can be used to repair the collarbone.

Is it common for a child to have a broken collarbone?

The collarbone, also called clavicle, is a long bone that connects the breastbone to the shoulder blade (1). There is a collarbone on each of the shoulders. Collarbones of children are not fully formed, and hence have a higher risk of injury. A broken or fractured collarbone (clavicle) is common in children.

If you think pinning is worthwhile, insist early on or it’s not worth it as the bone is healing straight away. For me, pinning would have saved time but not necessarily been the best option as it was a simple break and was always going to heal on its own.

What happens to the arm after a broken collarbone?

It may cause the arm or hand to turn numb or pale (10). Osteoarthritis: There might be a higher risk of osteoarthritis with injury to the collarbone. However, it may happen only when there is an injury to a joint close to the collarbone (11). A broken collarbone can cause a lot of pain.

When to see a doctor for a broken collarbone?

If you notice signs or symptoms of a broken collarbone in you or your child, or if there’s enough pain to prevent normal use, see a doctor right away. Delays in diagnosis and treatment can lead to poor healing. Common causes of a broken collarbone include: Falls, such as falling onto your shoulder or onto your outstretched hand.