The clavicle (collarbone) connects the breastbone (sternum) to the shoulder blade (scapula). Fractures are common, often resulting from a direct blow or a fall onto an outstretched arm. While many clavicle fractures heal without surgery, intervention is typically required for severe or displaced breaks where bone fragments are significantly separated. Surgical intervention, most often Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF), realigns and stabilizes the bone fragments to ensure correct healing and restore proper shoulder function.
The Surgical Procedure Duration
The actual time spent operating on the clavicle is shorter than many patients anticipate. The most common procedure, ORIF, involves making an incision, realigning the pieces, and securing them with orthopedic hardware like a metal plate and screws. For an uncomplicated mid-shaft clavicle fracture, the duration from incision to closure typically ranges from 45 to 90 minutes.
Several factors can influence the time the surgery takes in the operating room (OR). A simple fracture with only two distinct pieces will be fixed more quickly than a comminuted fracture, where the bone has broken into multiple small fragments. If the surgeon needs to remove hardware from a previous surgery or if the patient has a complex anatomical structure, the procedure may extend beyond the typical time frame. Precise anatomical alignment is the surgeon’s goal to ensure the best long-term outcome, which may necessitate careful, time-consuming adjustments.
Total Time Spent at the Facility
The period a patient is under anesthesia is only one part of the total time commitment. The overall experience at the surgical facility, from check-in to discharge, is significantly longer. Patients must arrive well before the scheduled procedure time for pre-operative preparation, which includes administrative check-in, placement of an intravenous (IV) line, and consultations with the surgical and anesthesia teams.
This pre-operative phase can take one to two hours, ensuring all necessary protocols are followed and the patient is fully prepared. Following surgery, the patient is moved to the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), or recovery room. Here, healthcare professionals closely monitor vital signs, manage immediate post-operative pain, and ensure they are safely waking up from general anesthesia.
This immediate recovery and monitoring period in the PACU typically lasts between one and three hours, depending on how quickly the patient stabilizes and pain is controlled. Clavicle surgery is generally performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning most patients are discharged home on the same day once they meet all recovery criteria. The total time spent at the hospital or surgical center, from check-in to discharge, is usually between four and six hours.
Long-Term Recovery Milestones
The most important timeline tracks the return to normal function and activity. In the immediate post-operative phase (the first one to two weeks), the focus is on pain management and protecting the repair site. The arm is typically immobilized in a sling, though patients are encouraged to perform gentle exercises for the elbow, wrist, and hand to maintain mobility.
The early healing phase (weeks two to six) marks the transition to light movement. Once the surgeon determines the initial fixation is secure, the patient may begin passive range of motion (PROM) exercises, where the arm is moved without using the shoulder muscles. X-rays are often taken around the six-week mark to confirm initial signs of bone bridging and satisfactory healing. Driving is usually not permitted until the patient is out of the sling and has regained comfortable control of the arm, which often occurs in this period, particularly if the non-dominant arm was operated on.
The rehabilitation phase begins between weeks six and twelve, assuming adequate bone healing has been confirmed. Physical therapy (PT) transitions to active range of motion (AROM) and initial strengthening exercises designed to rebuild muscle strength lost during immobilization. Adherence to a structured PT program is important to regain full shoulder mobility and function. The goal is to progress to light resistance training and non-contact sports like running or cycling within this timeframe.
A full return to heavy lifting, strenuous manual labor, or high-impact activities such as contact sports typically requires three to six months following the surgery. Complete bone consolidation, where the fracture site is fully healed and remodeled, can take up to six months. The total time for complete recovery is individualized, depending on the severity of the initial injury, the patient’s biological healing rate, and commitment to the prescribed physical therapy regimen.