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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

AC Joint Surgery

Stabilization or ligament reconstruction of the acromioclavicular joint after a severe shoulder separation, when the collarbone will not stay in place on its own.
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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Clavicle Fracture Repair

Treatment of collarbone fractures, from sling care to plate-and-screw fixation (ORIF) for displaced, shortened or slow-healing breaks.
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ContactTalk toa real person.
Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.
Call801-640-0000
TextSend a text
Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104
Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330
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What it is

Clavicle Fracture Repair

The clavicle, or collarbone, breaks in falls, cycling crashes, sports collisions and direct blows to the shoulder, causing pain, swelling, bruising and often a visible bump.
Many clavicle fractures heal in a sling. When surgery is needed, open reduction and internal fixation restores alignment and holds the bone with a plate and screws or, in selected cases, a rod inside the bone.
Performed by
Kevin Christensen, MD, Knee, Shoulder and Sports Medicine surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists
Dr. ChristensenKnee, Shoulder and Sports Medicine
J. Ryan Taylor, MD, Shoulder and Sports Medicine surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists
Dr. TaylorShoulder and Sports Medicine
Michael Carlson, MD, Shoulder and Sports Medicine surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists
Dr. CarlsonShoulder and Sports Medicine
Jeffrey Wallentine, MD, Joint Replacement surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists
Dr. WallentineJoint Replacement
Request an appointment
or call801-640-0000
Clavicle Fracture Repair

Who It Helps

Surgery is recommended for significantly displaced or shortened fractures, fractures that threaten the skin, certain breaks near the shoulder joint, and fractures that fail to heal.Well-aligned fractures, and most fractures in children and adolescents, heal without an operation. The goal either way is reliable healing and a shoulder that works normally.
Clavicle Fracture Repair

What to Expect

Outpatient surgery under general anesthesia, often with a regional block, usually one to two hours.Through an incision over the collarbone, your surgeon realigns the fragments and secures them with a plate and screws. Home the same day in a sling.Mountain bike and ski crashes keep clavicle fractures common in Utah Valley; most are seen within days with the emergency room X-rays already in hand. Dr. Christensen, Dr. Taylor, Dr. Carlson and Dr. Wallentine operate at Utah Valley Hospital and Spanish Fork Hospital.
Clavicle Fracture Repair

Recovery Timeline

Two weeks of sling protection with early elbow, wrist and hand motion, then gradual shoulder motion through week six while avoiding heavy lifting. Weeks six to twelve add strengthening as X-rays show healing, and most routine activities return.
Months three to four resume demanding exercise and lifting. Contact sport and unrestricted activity return at four to six months once the bone has healed and shoulder function is back.
Milestones
Week 0 to 2Sling, hand and elbow
Week 2 to 6Shoulder motion
Week 6 to 12Strengthening, daily life
Month 4 to 6Contact sport
Clavicle Fracture Repair

Risks and Considerations

Infection, stiffness, persistent discomfort, numbness around the incision, blood clots, hardware irritation and delayed healing are the main surgical risks.Fractures treated without surgery may heal with a visible bump. A plate occasionally becomes bothersome and is removed later. Most patients recover good function with either approach.
Clavicle Fracture Repair

Your Surgeons

Dr. Christensen, Dr. Taylor, Dr. Carlson and Dr. Wallentine perform this procedure at Surgery Partners Provo, Spanish Fork Hospital, Central Utah Surgical Center, Timpanogos Regional Hospital, Mountain View Hospital and Intermountain Health Surgery Center Saratoga Springs.
Dr. Christensen, MD
Andrews Institute sports medicine fellowship under Dr. James Andrews. Board certified in orthopedic surgery and orthopedic sports medicine. Fluent in Spanish.
Dr. Taylor, MD
Dual fellowship trained in sports medicine and in shoulder and elbow surgery. Former Division I football player.
Dr. Carlson, MD
Arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, elbow, knee, hip and ankle. Published sports medicine researcher. Fourteen years in practice.
Dr. Wallentine, MD
Thirty-four years in practice. Mako robotic-assisted hip and knee replacement. Stanford sports medicine fellowship. BYU athletics team surgeon.
Clavicle Fracture Repair

Related Procedures and Conditions

AC Joint Surgery
Fracture Fixation (ORIF)
Shoulder Arthroscopy
Shoulder Fractures
Request an appointment
or call801-640-0000
ContactTalk toa real person.
Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.
Call801-640-0000
TextSend a text
Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104
Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330
Request an appointment
Find a clinic
Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyPrivacy Practices
NondiscriminationAccessibilityGood Faith Estimate