How can you treat a fractured clavicle?

Usually splinted: Usually this is treated by either immobilizing the shoulder in a sling or use of various splints - commonly a "figure 8" splint pulls back on the clavicle on each side and helps to relieve pain.

Check with Orthopode: Current practice is generally to provide a sling, and pain relief, and to allow the bone to heal itself, monitoring progress with x-rays every week or few weeks. Surgery is employed in 5-10% of cases. However, a recent study supports primary plate fixation of completely displaced midshaft clavicular fractures in active adult patients[2].

3 options: Options include simple sling for 3-4 weeks, figure of 8 brace for 4-6 weeks, or surgery. Most clavicle fractures heal within 10-12 weeks without surgical intervention, but if the fracture is significantly displaced or shifted then surgery may be a better option for best results.

Time, sling: Time, activity restrictions, sling. We used to use figure of eight harnesses, but they were found to be no more effective than a simple sling.