Broken Collar Bone

This is a copy/ paste job from http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00072 but it relates to my current injury. During Jujitsu class I attempted a take-down. I shot in and as the take-down began I slipped and fell with my opponent onto my shoulder, his weight on top of mine. A pop and burning sensation ensued. Now 4 days later the fluid has diminished in the area, it is still tender to touch and you can actually feel the separation in the collar bone.

Broken Collarbone

Anatomy

Cause

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Nonsurgical Treatment

Anatomy

The collarbone is considered part of the shoulder. It helps connect the arm to the body. The collarbone lies above several important nerves and blood vessels. These vital structures are rarely injured when the collarbone breaks. The collarbone is a long bone, and most breaks occur in the middle section.

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Cause

One of many types of distal clavicle fractures.

(Reproduced with permission from Nuber GW, Bowen MK: Acromioclavicular joint injuries and distal clavicle fractures. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 1997;5:11-18.)

A broken collarbone (fractured clavicle) is a common injury among children and athletes. Many babies are born with collarbones that broke during the passage down the birth canal.

Because the collarbone doesn't completely harden until a person is about 20 years old, a child's collarbone can easily break from a direct blow or fall.

In athletes, the force of a fall can be transmitted from the elbow and shoulder to the collarbone, causing it to break.

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Symptoms

• Sagging shoulder (down and forward)
• Inability to lift the arm because of pain
• A grinding sensation if an attempt is made to raise the arm
• A deformity or "bump" over the fracture site

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Diagnosis

There is usually an obvious deformity, or "bump," at the fracture site. Gentle pressure over the fracture site will bring about pain. Sometimes, a grinding feeling can be felt when the patient tries to raise the arm. Although a fragment of bone rarely breaks through the skin, it may push the skin into a "tent" formation.

The doctor will carefully examine the shoulder to make sure that no nerves or blood vessels were damaged. An X-ray is often done to pinpoint the location and severity of the break.

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Nonsurgical Treatment

Most broken collarbones heal well without surgery.

A simple arm sling can usually be used to immobilize the arm. A child may have to wear the sling for 3 to 4 weeks; an adult may have to wear it for 6 to 8 weeks. Depending on the location of the break, your physician may apply a figure-of-eight strap to help maintain shoulder position.

Analgesics such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, will help reduce pain.

A large bump will develop as part of the healing process. This usually disappears over time, but a small bump may remain.

After the bone has healed normally, shoulder function generally returns with time. The result is little, if any limitation, unless the fracture was widely displaced (the parts of the broken bones are separated a lot.

Range of motion and strengthening exercises can begin as soon as the pain subsides. Sports activities should not be started until full shoulder strength returns.

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Last reviewed and updated: August 2007

AAOS does not review or endorse accuracy or effectiveness of materials, treatments or physicians.

Broken Collar Bone

This is a copy/ paste job from http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00072 but it relates to my current injury. During Jujitsu class I attempted a take-down. I shot in and as the take-down began I slipped and fell with my opponent onto my shoulder, his weight on top of mine. A pop and burning sensation ensued. Now 4 days later the fluid has diminished in the area, it is still tender to touch and you can actually feel the separation in the collar bone.

Broken Collarbone

Anatomy

Cause

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Nonsurgical Treatment

Anatomy

The collarbone is considered part of the shoulder. It helps connect the arm to the body. The collarbone lies above several important nerves and blood vessels. These vital structures are rarely injured when the collarbone breaks. The collarbone is a long bone, and most breaks occur in the middle section.

Top of page

Cause

One of many types of distal clavicle fractures.

(Reproduced with permission from Nuber GW, Bowen MK: Acromioclavicular joint injuries and distal clavicle fractures. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 1997;5:11-18.)

A broken collarbone (fractured clavicle) is a common injury among children and athletes. Many babies are born with collarbones that broke during the passage down the birth canal.

Because the collarbone doesn't completely harden until a person is about 20 years old, a child's collarbone can easily break from a direct blow or fall.

In athletes, the force of a fall can be transmitted from the elbow and shoulder to the collarbone, causing it to break.

Top of page

Symptoms

• Sagging shoulder (down and forward)
• Inability to lift the arm because of pain
• A grinding sensation if an attempt is made to raise the arm
• A deformity or "bump" over the fracture site

Top of page

Diagnosis

There is usually an obvious deformity, or "bump," at the fracture site. Gentle pressure over the fracture site will bring about pain. Sometimes, a grinding feeling can be felt when the patient tries to raise the arm. Although a fragment of bone rarely breaks through the skin, it may push the skin into a "tent" formation.

The doctor will carefully examine the shoulder to make sure that no nerves or blood vessels were damaged. An X-ray is often done to pinpoint the location and severity of the break.

Top of page

Nonsurgical Treatment

Most broken collarbones heal well without surgery.

A simple arm sling can usually be used to immobilize the arm. A child may have to wear the sling for 3 to 4 weeks; an adult may have to wear it for 6 to 8 weeks. Depending on the location of the break, your physician may apply a figure-of-eight strap to help maintain shoulder position.

Analgesics such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, will help reduce pain.

A large bump will develop as part of the healing process. This usually disappears over time, but a small bump may remain.

After the bone has healed normally, shoulder function generally returns with time. The result is little, if any limitation, unless the fracture was widely displaced (the parts of the broken bones are separated a lot.

Range of motion and strengthening exercises can begin as soon as the pain subsides. Sports activities should not be started until full shoulder strength returns.

Top of page

Last reviewed and updated: August 2007

AAOS does not review or endorse accuracy or effectiveness of materials, treatments or physicians.

Can You Get Strep Throat Without Tonsils?

This is a review of a previous article I wrote and in response to a conversation I had with a misinformed mother last night.

It is easy to confuse the terms strep throat and tonsillitis. They are both capable of making a person rather ill and the main symptom is throat pain but the similarities end there. A common misconception is that once the tonsils are removed via tonsillectomy then a person is no longer susceptible to strep throat. Unfortunately that is not true.

Streptococcus BacteriaThe culprit behind strep throat is the streptococcus bacteria. This bacteria causes the strep infection which can infect people with or without tonsils. Strep infections can strike people at any age but is most commonly found to occur in young children and teenagers. Because strep infections are caused by a bacteria they are often treated with prescription antibiotics. Step infections often will subside without medical intervention within three to seven days but often are treated with prescriptions to not only lessen a patient's discomfort but to also reduce the time that a patient is contagious.

Testing, testingGetting tested for strep throat can be fairly unpleasant but doctors often want to confirm their diagnosis before commencing treatment. To test for the streptococcus bacteria a culture of the secretions from the back of the throat must be collected. This is done with a swab that looks and feels like a giant Q-tip. Patients often experience the gag reflex when the back of their throat is rubbed with the swab. The secretions collected are then tested using a rapid test kit in the doctors office. Results are usually available within 15 minutes. If the test comes back with negative results but the doctor believes that the symptoms are that of strep throat he may treat for strep throat and send the sample to the lab for further testing which can take up to 48 hours.

Symptoms

• pain when swallowing
• sudden onset of a very sore throat
• fever of 101 degrees (or higher)
• swollen lymph nodes
• red throat
• white or yellow spots on the back of throat

NOTE: If symptoms are accompanied by typical cold symptoms such as stuffed up ears, cough and runny nose then it is less likely to be strep throat

Soothing a sore throatStrep throat is painful and unpleasant. Here are some ways to find relief:

• ibuprofen or acetaminophen (take as directed)
• frozen treats such as ice pops or frozen juice (avoid dairy)
• humidifier
• throat sprays or lozenges
• drink plenty of clear liquids such as ginger ale, broth and water
• warm salt water gargling (1-2 tsp salt per 8oz.glass)

According to the Centers for Disease Control up to 11,000 people each year are diagnosed with strep throat so if you too have been diagnosed with this infection you have lots of company.

Some resources are:

WEBMD http://bit.ly/9kT16f

KIDS HEALTH http://bit.ly/dze5Kt

Energy Shakes (Homemade):

Shakes are a source of concentrated energy and nutrients that are essential at the start of the day. The key to a great shake is a balance between carbohydrates, protein, and flavor.

Fruit are refreshing, add flavor and texture to shakes, and are a source of carbohydrates. On their own, these simple sugars are rapidly absorbed and cause blood sugar levels to rise, giving you a quick boost of energy, but leaving you feeling tired later on.

Protein powders provide balance because they slow the absorption of sugar, resulting in more steady blood sugar levels. Since the protein is already in its most basic form, the body can readily use it to make essential brain chemicals called neurotransmitters and for other body functions.

Soy protein powder (soy isolate) is one protein powder that is perfect for shakes because it is tasteless yet adds a thick, creamy texture. Soy has numerous positive health benefits on the cardiovascular and hormonal systems. It helps to control cholesterol, prevents deposits from building up in the arteries, protects the body from hormones in pesticides, plastics, and water, helps prevent breast or prostate cancer, and decreases hot flashes in menopausal women.

Spirulina is also a good source of protein. It is a type of blue-green algae that is an excellent source of most nutrients and phytochemicals, such as beta carotene, enzymes, essential fatty acids, protein, and chlorophyll. Although the blue-green color looks unusual, spirulina has a very mild flavor that blends well in shakes.

Coffee Lover's Energy Shake
Makes one 12 oz. shake

1 ripe banana
1/2 shot expresso, 1/4 cup fresh coffee, or 1 tsp instant coffee
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup vanilla soy milk or vanilla rice milk
2 T soy protein powder

Blend ingredients until shake is creamy and smooth. Pour into a tall glass and enjoy!

Banana-Almond Shake
Makes one 12 oz. shake.

1 cup vanilla soy milk
1 banana
1 tsp spirulina
1/4 tsp almond extract

Blend soy milk and banana until smooth. Add spirulina and almond and blend just until mixed. Enjoy!