- With Mayo Clinic physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist
Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.
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Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.
Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.
Dr. Edward Laskowski is certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. He is co-director of the Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Center and a professor at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.
He has been on the staff of Mayo Clinic since 1990 and specializes in sports medicine, fitness, strength training and stability training. He works with a multidisciplinary team of physical medicine, rehabilitation and orthopedic specialists, physical therapists and sports psychologists.
Dr. Laskowski is an elite-level skier and approaches sports medicine from the perspective of a physician and an athlete. In addition to skiing, he is an avid hiker, cyclist and climber.
In 2006, President George W. Bush appointed Dr. Laskowski to a two-year term on the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
Dr. Laskowski was a member of the medical staff of the Olympic Polyclinic at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and was involved in medical coverage for the Chicago Marathon. He serves as a consulting physician to the National Hockey League Players' Association and is a featured lecturer at the American College of Sports Medicine's Team Physician Course.
Dr. Laskowski, a Cary, Ill., native, has contributed to Mayo Clinic's CD-ROM on sports, health and fitness, a Web site guide to self-care, and hundreds of Mayo Clinic articles and booklets in print and online. He is a contributing editor to Mayo Clinic's "Fitness for EveryBody" book.
"There are many myths and misconceptions about exercise and fitness in general, and also many traditions that don't stand up to scientific scrutiny," he says. "My goal is to provide the most up-to-date and accurate information on sports medicine and fitness topics in a way that you can practically incorporate into your life."
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Question
Broken collarbone: How is it treated?
What is the treatment for a broken collarbone?
Answer
from Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.
Your collarbone (clavicle) connects the upper part of your breastbone (sternum) to part of your shoulder blade (scapula). If you think you have a broken collarbone, you should see your doctor right away. Treatment typically includes:
- Using a simple arm sling. Elaborate shoulder harnesses are unnecessary for a broken collarbone.
- Applying ice to the injury.
- Taking pain relievers, as needed.
- Avoiding any activity that may aggravate the area for four to six weeks after injury.
Most broken collarbones will heal well with this simple treatment, although a small bump may remain in the area of the healed fracture. Surgery may be necessary if the fracture fragments overlap and create shortening of the collarbone, if the fragments are significantly displaced, or if multiple fragments are present. If your broken collarbone requires surgery, your doctor will likely refer you to an orthopedic surgeon.
