Fractured Lateral (outer) Clavicle & AC Joint Treatments
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Overview
Clavicle and AC joint injuries (a bone and joint around the shoulder) are relatively common injuries. Some of these can be managed in a sling but most serious fractures or dislocations require surgery.
Assessment
Trauma Surgeons at Victorian Bone and Joint Specialists will assess your injury and organise x-rays and scans if required. If surgery is needed, our specialists will help guide you through the process as a successful outcome will require recovery and rehabilitation often with physiotherapists close to your home location in Melbourne.
Treatment
Non-operative management
A simple crack in the bone, while painful, will normally heal well. A minor dislocation of the AC joint can also be treated without surgery. Surgeons at Victorian Bone & Joint Specialists will fit a sling to help hold the shoulder in place. Follow up x-rays will be required.
Surgical management
If the broken bone has moved too much or if there is instability of the shoulder then surgery to lock the bone back in place maybe the best option. Your surgeon at Bone & Joint will discuss this with you.
Risks associated with surgery
There are risks with surgery. These include infection, delayed healing or no healing of the bone. Often, surgery to remove the plate and screws is required once the bone and joint have healed. Damage to nerve or blood vessels may have occurred as a result of the injury or when fixing the fracture.
Post-operative management
You will stay in hospital overnight following your surgery and will be discharged the next day with pain relief to take for a couple of days when you need.
You will have a dressing on your surgery site which needs to stay dry and clean for 14 days.
You can move your hand, fingers and elbow straight away, but wear the sling provided for most of the day. The sling helps to take the weight of your arm to let the shoulder rest.
You can begin to gently move the shoulder a couple of days after surgery but do not carry any weight or lift anything during the first 2 weeks.
Do not lift your shoulder above 90 degrees or lift anything heavier than a glass of water.
Physiotherapy can be helpful to get your arm and shoulder moving and strong again, but do not start this until you have had your appointment with your specialist at 2 weeks.
Pendular type exercises can be started at home yourself in the first 2 weeks after surgery:
This exercise allows you to gently move the shoulder and arm in a slow circular movement several times and day. It helps keep the shoulder moving so that it does not get stiff.
Walking and gentle exercise is recommended after your surgery.
You cannot swim or start hydrotherapy until the wound has healed completely, usually at least 2 weeks
Wound review
After 2 weeks you will have an appointment with the team to have your wound checked, any stitches will be removed. Your specialist will then give you advice on exercises and physiotherapy.
Driving
You cannot drive until you have had your first review appointment with your specialist. The team will give you an indication then when you are likely to be able to drive again
Returning to work
This depends on the type of surgery to the shoulder you have had and the type of work you do. Most surgeries will need 2-6 weeks off work, some will require longer, especially if you have a manual job.
When to contact us
If you have any of these problems, please call the rooms on 03 5752 5020
Fever
Heavy bleeding or ooze from the wound
Increased swelling and redness around the surgery site
Pain in the calf muscles or difficulty breathing
