The diagnosis of a fractured collarbone has been made at your A&E Department / Urgent Treatment Centre visit.
The treatment of such a fracture is as follows
It is recommended that your child should wear a broad arm sling or a shoulder immobiliser for 2-4 weeks, depending upon their pain.
The sling supports the weight of the arm and allows the collarbone to heal in a timely fashion.
Typically, a child’s collarbone fracture will heal in 2-6 weeks.
Once your child reports that the movement of their shoulder no longer causes any pain and that their collarbone is not painful with the arm unsupported by the sling then the fracture will be regarded as being healed and the sling can be dispensed with.
When the fracture is fresh, in the first week or two, simple painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (take as described on box or by clinical staff) can be used to control the pain but these should only be used if your child is not allergic to these tablets.
Your child may find it more comfortable to sleep sitting up for the first 7-10 days after the injury as this keeps the collarbone in a more stable position. However, if your child is more comfortable lying down, then this is fine.
The sling can be removed for bed and bath if your child does not find this too uncomfortable.
Once the bone is healed your child have developed a lump over the fracture site. This is nothing to be concerned about and represents growth of new bone at the fracture site and is part of the healing process. This lump will reduce over time, particularly if your child is less than 10 years old but occasionally a bump may remain for life.
Your child may return to sports activities, such as swimming, as soon as comfortable but should avoid contact sports, such as football, rugby and basketball for 8-10 weeks following the injury.
Should you have any concerns or problems, please contact the Trauma secretary on 0191 445 2443 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm), or your GP.