Clavicle Fracture
Clavicle Fracture A clavicle fracture is also known as a broken collarbone. The collarbone is located between the ribcage (sternum) and the shoulder blade (scapula); this connects the arm to the body. (Orthoinfo) The clavicle is a long bon and most breaks occur in the middle. On very rare occasions, it will break where it attaches at the ribcage of shoulder blade. (Orthoinfo) Although it lies above several important nerves and blood vessels, injuries are rare to these nerves and blood vessels even if during the break the ends of the bone shift. (Orthoinfo) A collarbone fracture can occur in people of all ages. Most of these fractures occur in men younger than the age of 25, it’s not as common in women at all. (Pecci) When it comes to clavicle fractures in children the odds are much different. Younger children have a high risk of this fracture because their bones have not completely hardened yet and are still growing, causing the increase in susceptibility. (Atanda) Usually this fracture takes place in a contact sport such as football, wrestling, rugby, lacrosse, and hockey. (Atanda) But, there is a few non-contact sports where this injury can also occur; such as, biking, skiing, snowboarding, and skateboarding. (Atanda) Although you can’t control whether you have a direct collision with someone there are safety precautions you can take. If your sport has optional or required protective gear, use it at all times. (Atanda) Learning the proper techniques of your sport can benefit you if it comes to a situation where you need to get out of the scene quickly to save yourself. (Atanda) Maintaining strong bones by eating a well-balanced diet will decrease the possibility of a fracture if you are hit. (Atanda) Participating in strength training and stretching will help build more flexible muscles to that during a collision your body has room to twist and turn. (Atanda) Proper and supportive footwear that best fits your foot and sport is one of the biggest things you
Cited: Orthoinfo. (2011, January). Retrieved from http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm/topic=a00072 Atanda, A. (2001, July). Clavicle Fracture. Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/bones/clavicle_fracture.html Pecci, MD, M.,& Kreher, MD, J. B. (2008, Jan 1). Clavicle Fractures. Retrieved from http://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/0101/p65.html