Your collarbone has been dislocated. In your case, the collarbone has shifted in the joint between the collarbone and the shoulder blade (the AC joint). This is called a dislocated AC joint. The ligaments around the joint are also damaged. The treatment consists of wearing a sling, having a short rest period and doing relevant shoulder exercises.

Overview

• Your collarbone has been dislocated. It can possibly stay a little out of place, but this is nothing to worry about. The pain and the function of the joint will get better over time.
• An outpatient check-up is generally not necessary, so there is no need to make a new appointment.
• You will be wearing a sling for the first week. You can immediately start exercising as much as your pain or physical complaints allow, according to the instructions.
• Please find an instructional video for reapplying the sling in the Virtual Fracture Care app.
• It is important that you start your exercises to prevent the shoulder from becoming stiff.
• Appropriate exercises can be found in this leaflet or in the Virtual Fracture Care app.
• If you have any questions or problems during the recovery, do not hesitate to contact us on workdays at 8.30 AM – 10.00 AM via the Fracture Hot Line: T 0187 607 297.

The treatment

Instructions

• Have you received a sling? Use it for the first week to support the shoulder. When you go to sleep you can take off the sling.
• Please find instructions for reapplying the sling in the Virtual Fracture Care app.
• You may immediately start your exercises according to the instructions. It is important that you start exercising right away to prevent shoulder stiffness.
• Use your arm and shoulder depending on your physical complaints. This means you can use the arm and shoulder for as long as you can tolerate the pain.
• You can find the exercises and instructions in the Virtual Fracture Care app or in the leaflet.
• For the first 6 weeks, you are not allowed to play sports in which you use your shoulder and/or arm. After that you can slowly take up your sport again, as far as your pain complaints allow. It can sometimes take up to 3 months before you can exercise without complaints.
• Do you have pain? Use paracetamol if needed. Do not wait to take paracetamol until you are in too much pain. Always take it throughout the day. You can take 2 tablets of 500 mg paracetamol up to 4 times a day at fixed times.

Recovery

• Generally, a check-up at the outpatient clinic is not necessary. This injury usually heals completely within a few weeks. However, some swelling/height may remain at the end of the collarbone. It may take up to 6 weeks before you can fully use the arm and shoulder again.
• Physical therapy is usually not necessary. If you are dissatisfied with the function of your shoulder after 6 weeks, please consult a physiotherapist.
• Does the pain get worse or has the pain not subsided after 3 weeks? Please contact the Fracture Hot Line: T 0187 60 72 97. If a check-up seems necessary, we will schedule an appointment.

Rehabilitation exercises

When do I do which exercise?

Week 1

• Train your shoulder as much as your pain allows. Use the sling for support if necessary.
• Move the fingers and hand by making a fist 10 to 15 times a day.
• Straighten and bend your elbow 10 to 15 times a day.
• Press your forearm against your stomach. Hold this position for a few seconds and let go.
• Press your forearm against the side of your chest. Make sure your forearm is against your stomach. Hold this position for a few seconds and let go.
• Bend over slightly and make small circular motions with your elbow (pendulum movement) (1).
• Repeat 10 - 15 times in a row, 3 to 4 times a day.

Week 2-6

• Press your stretched forearm against the side of your body. Hold this position for a few seconds and let go (2).
• Bend over slightly and let your arm hang down, stretched. Make small circular motions, clockwise and counter-clockwise (3).
• Bend and stretch the elbow while bent forward (4).

• Move your hand over your chest towards your healthy shoulder and try to tap the shoulder blade. Support your elbow with your other hand (5).
• Place your hands against each other in front of your chest and press them together. You will feel the muscles at the front of your shoulder working (6).

• Stretch your arm. Bring it forward and lift it to shoulder height (7). Try to hold the arm here for a moment.
• Bring your stretched arm sideways up to shoulder height. If necessary, use a wall for some support (8). Try to hold the arm here for a moment.
• Move your arm backwards slowly with a stretched or bent elbow (9).
• Repeat the previous exercises, now gently lifting the arm above shoulder level. You may move your arm as far as the pain allows.
• Alternate the exercises and perform them at a leisurely pace. Repeat 10 - 15 times in a row, 3 to 4 times a day.

Week 6 onwards

• You may return to full use of the shoulder as before.
• Swimming is a good exercise to get the shoulder function back to normal.
• If you feel that you can do fewer exercises due to less strength or pain, guidance from a physiotherapist is recommended. You can arrange this yourself with or without a referral from your GP.

Any questions?

Virtual Fracture Care App

Contact

Fracture Hot Line