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  • MeetDr. Cheong

    Voted by Peers as aTampa Top Doctors
    • Board Certified/Fellowship Trained
    • Member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
    • Specializes in Disorders of the Hips & Knees
    • 2013 and 2014 “Attending of the Year” University of South Florida Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
    • The Only surgeon offering a Lateral Total Knee Replacement in West Florida.
  • Get Back to Activities You Enjoy Lateral Approach Total Knee Replacement

  • Regain movement & strengthComplex Joint Reconstruction

  • Restore function with the most intricate procedure Limb Preservation Surgery

  • Diagnosis and Treatment of Malignant & Benign disorders of the musculoskeletal system Orthopedic Oncology

Broken Collarbone

The clavicle is the bone that connects your sternum or breastbone to your shoulder. Clavicle fracture, also called broken collarbone is a very common sports injury seen in people who are involved in contact sports such as football and martial arts as well as impact sports such as motor racing.

Causes

A broken collarbone normally occurs after a fall onto the shoulder or a motor vehicle accident. The most common sports associated with clavicle fractures include football, hockey, and skiing.

Symptoms

A broken collarbone most often causes pain, swelling and bruising over the collarbone. Pain increases with shoulder movement. Your shoulder may be slumped downward and forward. You may also have a bump around the area of the break. You may hear a grinding sound when you try to raise your arm.

Diagnosis

To diagnose a broken collarbone, your doctor will take a brief history, about the injury, and perform a physical examination of your shoulder. An X-ray of the clavicle is taken to identify the location of the fracture. Your doctor may also recommend a computerized tomography (CT) scan in some cases.

Conservative Treatment Options

Most broken collarbones heal without a surgery. An arm sling may support the arm and hold the bones in their normal position. You may also be given pain medications to relieve the pain. After your pain reduces your doctor may recommend gentle shoulder and elbow exercises to minimize stiffness and weakness in your shoulder. Follow up with your doctor until your fracture heals.

Surgery

Surgery may be required in case of displaced fractures. Surgery is performed to re-align the fractured ends and stabilize them during healing. Surgery often involves use of pins or plates and screws to maintain proper position of the bone during healing.

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Patient Testimonials

Patient Testimonails - David Cheong MD - Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr. Cheong is one of the best doctors we have ever had, and a real credit to OAWF and Mease Countryside Hospital. His skill and personality are impeccable and when we asked the nurses how they enjoyed working with Dr. Cheong, they couldn’t say enough about his skill and treatment of the patients and nursing staff.