COLLARBONE BREAKS SPECIAL HAZARD FOR CYCLISTS
When a cyclist starts to fall off his bike he, often puts out his arms to break the fall. The force of the fall then travels through the arms to the shoulder, breaking the collarbone. Breaks of the clavicle or collarbone account for about 5% of all adult fractures according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS). Surgeon Kevin D. Plancher, M.D., founder of Plancher Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, repairs a lot of collarbones. He says, “Located between the breastbone and the shoulder blade, the clavicle essentially connects the arm to the body and lies above several vital nerves and blood vessels. Many fractures occur in the middle portion of the bone, but some can shatter the bone in pieces or push pieces far out of place.” Plancher lists five symptoms of a broken collarbone. They are: Shoulder sags downward and forward Pain creates inability to lift arm Raising arm causes grinding sensation Deformity or “bump” found over the break Collarbone area is bruised af...