Collarbone fracture from skiing may require surgery or sling

Q. Last week, my 12year-old son fell while skiing and injured his left shoulder. At the emergency room, he was diagnosed with a non-displaced clavicle fracture and his left arm was put into a sling.

He was told not to use the arm and to see an orthopedic surgeon when he got home. Once home, the doctor told us that my son needs the sling for at least one month and should be out of sports for two months. My son’s pain has subsided within the week since the injury and I am questioning the length of time the sling was prescribed. What do you think?

A. The collar bone, or clavicle, is frequently injured in a fall while skiing, riding a bike or while playing football and getting tackled. Clavicle fractures in patients who have finished growing can be slow to heal and may even require surgery to get an optimal functional result.

In younger patients, even clavicle fractures that are out of place can usually be treated nonsurgically with a sling. The age of the patient and the degree of fracture displacement help determine how long a sling is required, and when it is safe to resume impact sports.

Many times, these injuries heal with some extra bone and a bump may be present over the fracture site. This bump rarely is painful or impedes function and the appearance tends to improve with time. Your orthopedic surgeon appears to be giving your son sound advice and the time frame of the sling and out of sports seems about right.