News

I recently broke my collarbone while out shooting!

I recently tripped at the end of the shooting season, fell on my right shoulder and fractured my clavicle.

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I was told that I did not require an operation and that it would heal by itself. Can you explain how the clavicle works?

Shooting injury
DR MATTHEW RICKS
The clavicle, or collarbone, is a common site of injury.

There are multiple muscles that attach to the clavicle and the most commonly injured site is the middle third.

The most frequent reasons for surgery involve tenting of the skin and significant overlapping or multiple fragments.

Your injury would have been assessed by an orthopaedic team in a fracture clinic using an X-ray.

It can take six weeks for the clavicle to heal.

Your arm would have been supported in a sling for pain relief.