If surgery is necessary, it usually involves: Most fractures of the proximal humerus can be treated without surgery if the bone fragments are not severely out of position (displaced). Discuss the risks and benefits of this operation with your surgeon. Surgery typically involves fixation of the fracture with plates and screws or rods inside the bone. More recently, there is some evidence that surgical repair of certain types of clavicle fractures can be beneficial. Surgery is necessary when the fracture has broken through the skin, or the bone is severely out of place. SymptomsĬlavicle fractures have traditionally been treated without surgery. The term 'shoulder separation' is a bit misleading, as the joint injured in this condition is not the true shoulder joint. Posterior dislocations often occur from seizures or electric shocks when the muscles of the front of the shoulder contract and forcefully tighten.ĭislocations of the acromioclavicular joint can be caused by a fall onto the shoulder or from lifting heavy objects. Posterior (toward the back) dislocations of the shoulder are much less common than anterior dislocations of the shoulder.These injuries can occur from many different causes, including a fall or a direct blow to the shoulder. Anterior (toward the front) dislocations of the shoulder are caused by the arm being forcefully twisted outward (external rotation) when the arm is above the level of the shoulder.Scapula fractures often occur with simultaneous (at the same time) injuries to the chest. Therefore, fractures of the scapula are usually caused by high-energy trauma, such as a high-speed motor vehicle collision. Fractures of the clavicle or the proximal humerus can be caused by a direct blow to the area from a fall, collision, or motor vehicle collision.īecause the scapula is protected by the chest and surrounding muscles, it is not easily fractured.

Broken clavicle treatment