Continue reading the following article to learn more about how to splint the collar bone in children. The collar bone fracture is one of the most common types of fractures, especially in children, so how is the collar bone splinted in children? Orthopedic collarbone in children The collarbone is located between the base of the neck and the head of the shoulder, and is connected to the sternum and
It is one of the bones of the rib cage and on the other side of the shoulder bone, and it is considered one of the main bones in the shoulder as a point of contact between the arm and the body.
It is difficult to splint the collarbone in children and put it in a gypsum splint because of the nature and location of the collarbone in the body. The treatment of a clavicle fracture depends on immobilizing the arm and shoulder with an arm sling and providing appropriate support to limit movement and ensure proper bone healing.
A movable splint is used to raise the arm at chest level, and movable splints that are tied around the torso can be used for better stability (Shoulder immobilizer).
In addition to using a movable splint to raise the arm, the collarbone fracture in children is treated with the following:
Use ice packs on the fracture site for 20-30 minutes every 2-3 hours, taking care to put a layer of ice house cloth and skin.
Use pain relievers such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, after consulting a doctor.
Undergo physical therapy 4-6 weeks after the injury.
Make sure to go to the doctor''s review appointments until the bone is healed and fully healed, which may take several months.
What are the symptoms that necessitate splinting the collar bone in children?
The collarbone fracture is one of the common fractures that leads to difficulty moving the arm in addition to severe pain. Here are the most prominent symptoms of a collarbone fracture:
Swelling and swelling of the skin where the fracture occurred, in addition to the appearance of bruises.
Shoulder drooping downward and tilted forward.
Feeling severe pain at the fracture site, especially when trying to move the shoulder or arm.
Inability to move or raise the arm up.
Feeling of friction or erosion in the bone and hearing a crackling sound when trying to move the arm up.
The appearance of a bump or tumor at the fracture site.
And when the collarbone fracture occurs in newborns, it is noted that the infant does not move his arm for several days.
Are there complications of a collarbone fracture?
Healing of the fracture of the collar bone in children occurs within 3-6 weeks, while the fracture of the collar bone in newborns heals on its own with the administration of painkillers and care to carry and move the child with caution.
In some cases of broken collarbone, parts of the collarbone may move apart, causing the bone to heal incorrectly. In this case, the treatment depends on the extent to which the bone has moved out of its correct position, but it often heals without medical intervention, especially in children.
The doctor may resort to surgery in the event of a double fracture, an open fracture, or a significant movement of the bone from its correct location, to correct the poor healing of the bone, return it to its proper location, and fix it either with screws or metal plates until the bone heals completely.
Tips for caring for your child after a broken collarbone
A fracture of the collar bone in children needs several months for complete recovery, so during this period you must be careful. Here are the most important tips that you can follow to ensure your child heals properly:
Wearing the movable splint during the recovery period and during sleep if possible until the feeling of pain and discomfort when moving the arm stops, and that is after approximately 3-6 weeks.
Placing pillows to sleep in an inclined position in case of inconvenience when lying down.
Ensure that the child gets enough rest and continue to apply ice packs until the swelling and pain are gone.
Take pain-relieving medications for the period specified by the doctor, while avoiding taking aspirin by children younger than 16 years old.
Remove the movable splint while taking a shower.
Avoid carrying heavy items, heavier than about 2-3 kilograms.
Not moving the arm or raising it higher than the shoulder to avoid moving the bone from its correct position during healing.
Avoid practicing sports and sports activities of all kinds, and it is advised to consult a doctor before returning to practicing sports activities, such as: swimming, football, basketball, and running, but in general the child may need a period of 3 months before returning to practicing these activities.
Make sure to move the elbow, fingers, and hand during the period of applying the moving splint to avoid stiffness in the muscles and joints of the hand.
