Since clavicle fractures are nearly always results of falls or blows, there is not much that can be done to prevent them. However, use of proper protective equipment, such as shoulder pads, is preventive.
The best way to prevent reoccurrences of a clavicle fracture is to only return to practice and competition when all symptoms of the injury are gone and strength has returned to normal. Furthermore, the rehabilitation exercises should be continued to ensure protective strength, range of motion, and stability of the injured area.
Other preventive techniques include:
Improving Sports Performance
The key to improving sports performance after recovering from a clavicle fracture is a proper rehabilitation program, and adhering to some of those same principles after the injury is gone. Keep in mind that a clavicle fracture is most often the result of a fall or blow, and you can better prepare yourself for these incidences by paying close attention to the rehabilitation exercises listed above. These will not only keep you in the game, but will also help you perform better and with more confidence.
Clavicle fracture rehabilitation for athletes
As an athlete, your number one concern is getting back to full strength as soon as possible so that you can return to training and competition. That is why appropriate rehabilitation is extremely important. Rehabilitation for a clavicle fracture often includes the following:
Most clavicle fractures can be rehabilitated with a figure-of-eight strap, which is wrapped around the body and the shoulders, or a sling. These devices help hold the shoulder in place while the clavicle heals. Your doctor also may prescribe pain medication and rehabilitation exercises once the strap is removed.
The major objectives of rehabilitation from a clavicle fracture are to increase flexibility, establish pain-free range of motion, and strengthen the muscles of the shoulders, upper back, front chest, and upper arms. In severe cases, you should avoid activity that causes shoulder pain altogether.
Keep in mind that rehabilitation for a clavicle fracture may be different when the injury requires surgery to put the pieces of the bone back in position. In these cases, your doctor may prescribe special physical therapy. Recovery time will vary.
Rehabilitation exercises
Rehabilitation exercises often prescribed by your doctor may include:
Stand with hands at sides with no weight in either hand. Raise shoulders to the point of pain and hold for five seconds. Relax for five seconds. Perform this sequence 10 times, 3 times daily. As pain permits, hold dumbbells of equal weight in each hand while performing this exercise. Add weight by using hand-held dumbbells as pain permits.
Stand with arms fully extended at sides while grasping 2- to 5-pound weights in each hand, held palm forward. Flex the arms at the elbow to approximately 100 degrees, or to the point of pain, whichever comes first. Hold this position for 5 to 10 seconds. Return to the start position. Rest for 5 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times. Increase the weight as pain allows and strength develops.
Stand with elbows directed upward over the shoulders and with arms relaxed. Extend arms at the elbow so that the hands proceed upward to the point of pain. Hold this position for five seconds. Return to the starting position and relax for five seconds. Perform this sequence 10 times, 3 times daily. As pain permits, add weight by using hand-held dumbbells.
Lie on belly with hands extended along sides of the body. Raise the upper chest from the floor to the point of pain and hold this position for 5 seconds. Return to the start position and relax for 10 seconds. Repeat this sequence 10 times, 3 times daily.
Reach out and place the unaffected side hand on a corner of a table. Bend at the waist. Flex the injured side arm at the elbow and pull the injured side arm backward and upward as if sawing wood. Slowly bring the shoulder blades as close together as pain will permit. Slowly bring the injured side arm down to its beginning position. Repeat this sequence 10 times, at least three times daily.
Dislocated elbow surgery and treatment performed at the Sports Science Orthopaedic Clinic for professional and non-professional sportsmen and sportswomen
The elbow forcibly hyperextends, causing the ligaments to rupture, and sometimes a fracture will result. In some situations, the displaced bones may compress the nerves and blood vessels around the elbow requiring immediate reduction (repositioning) of the dislocation to relieve pressure. A physician can usually perform this procedure on the playing field or in the emergency department.
Dislocated elbows are common among children and adolescents.
Diagnosis
The symptoms of a dislocated elbow are quite obvious and you will know when it happens. You'll feel immediate intense pain, your elbow won't bend, and it will swell. Because nerves run along your elbow, it is possible that they have been injured and you might lose feeling in your arm or hand..
Treatment Options
If you think your elbow is dislocated, try to immobilize it and go to a doctor immediately for evaluation and treatment. Your doctor or emergency room physician will put your dislocated elbow back into place right away. You may need a local anaesthetic. If your injury is more than several hours old, you may need general anaesthesia because of swelling and muscle spasm.
Once your elbow joint is back in place, your doctor may flex, extend, and rotate your arm to make sure it is stable and capable of all its motions. Your doctor may also take x-rays to check for other injuries such as fractures and nerve damage. In some cases, these injuries may require additional treatments, including surgery.
Assuming your elbow was stable after your doctor put it back in place and you have no other major injuries such as a fractured bone in the elbow, you will wear a splint for only a few weeks. You may take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen to ease any pain. Your doctor will tell you when you’re ready to begin exercises to work your elbow back to full function. Depending on the severity of the injury, it may take many months of physical therapy for your elbow to return to normal function.
How can I prevent a dislocated elbow?
Since elbow dislocations are nearly always results of falls or blows, there is not much that can be done to prevent them. However, use of proper protective equipment, such as elbow pads, is preventive.
The best way to prevent reoccurrences of a dislocated elbow is to only return to practice and competition when all symptoms of the injury are gone and strength of the affected arm has returned to normal. Furthermore, the rehabilitation exercises should be continued to ensure protective strength, range of motion, and stability of the injured joint.
Improving Sports Performance
The key to improving sports performance after recovering from a dislocated elbow is a proper rehabilitation program, and adhering to some of those same principles after the injury is gone.
Keep in mind that a dislocated elbow is most often the result of a fall or blow, and you can better prepare yourself for these incidences by paying close attention to the rehabilitation exercises listed above. These will not only keep you in the game, but will also help you perform better and with more confidence.
Dislocated elbow rehabilitation
As an athlete, your number one concern is getting back to full strength as soon as possible so that you can return to training and competition. That is why appropriate rehabilitation is extremely important. Rehabilitation for a dislocated elbow often includes the following:
Strengthening Exercises
The major objectives of rehabilitation from a dislocated elbow are to increase flexibility, obtain pain-free range of motion, and strengthen the muscles of the arm. In severe cases, you should avoid activity that causes elbow pain altogether. In these cases, you can still maintain cardiovascular fitness by cycling, unless otherwise prescribed by your doctor.
Rehabilitative exercises should be performed on both sides of the body to maintain symmetry in the strength and range of motion of the arms. In many individuals, the tendency to dislocate an elbow is present on both sides, so doing these exercises to increase the pain-free range of motion and improve strength of both arms may help prevent injury to either elbow.
Rehabilitation exercises often prescribed by your doctor may include:
Extend affected arm forward with palm up and elbow straight. Place fingers and palm of opposite hand across palm and fingers of the extended hand and draw back with it until stretch is felt in the forearm. Hold this position for 3 to 5 seconds, then relax for 3 to 5 seconds. Perform this exercise 10 times.
Extend affected arm forward with palm down, elbow straight, and fingers slightly curled. Grasp the affected side hand with other hand and draw affected side hand down until stretch is felt in the forearm. Hold this position from 3 to 5 seconds, then relax for 3 to 5 seconds. Perform this exercise 10 times.
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