Case Study of a Patient with a Fractured Clavicle
A case study of a professional cyclist with a fractured clavicle.
The aim of the following case study is to describe the structure and function of the musculoskeletal system using a 20 year old professional cyclist who sustained a fractured clavicle during a race. The author will discuss the effects of the injury on the normal functions of the systems of the body, and the impact on his physical, psychological and social well-being. The author will also summarise the pathological changes that occurred. The author will ensure local hospital confidentiality guidelines are followed (Hospital Confidentiality Policy 2006).
The cyclist presented at clinic with a fractured clavicle two days after falling off his bicycle while he was competing in a race. The accident happened when he clipped his wheel with another cyclist which caused him to be thrown over the bike onto the ground landing onto his right side. He suffered a minor abrasion at the lateral aspect of his shoulder and some minor abrasions with the fracture but no other injuries. After the incident the team physio applied a sling to keep the arm immobilised, and the patient has been taking anti-inflammatory pain relief. The patient was quite irritable as he had been unable to sleep due to his shoulder, and felt frustrated because he had no control over the situation, he was also apprehensive of the time he would require away from his sport while he recovered.
A clavicle fracture is sustained by a direct blow to the clavicle such as a fall or in an accident, a fall from a bike is a common mechanism. Clavicle fractures make up 5% of all fractures; it is a common injury in impact sports such as cycling (Funk, 2012).
The clavicle is an appendage to the axis, and runs horizontally from the base of the neck to the shoulder and is subcutaneous throughout; it has no medullary cavity and is ossified from a membrane (Gunn, 2002). As stated by Hubbard and Mechan (1997) “The clavicles are formed from primitive connective
The aim of the following case study is to describe the structure and function of the musculoskeletal system using a 20 year old professional cyclist who sustained a fractured clavicle during a race. The author will discuss the effects of the injury on the normal functions of the systems of the body, and the impact on his physical, psychological and social well-being. The author will also summarise the pathological changes that occurred. The author will ensure local hospital confidentiality guidelines are followed (Hospital Confidentiality Policy 2006).
The cyclist presented at clinic with a fractured clavicle two days after falling off his bicycle while he was competing in a race. The accident happened when he clipped his wheel with another cyclist which caused him to be thrown over the bike onto the ground landing onto his right side. He suffered a minor abrasion at the lateral aspect of his shoulder and some minor abrasions with the fracture but no other injuries. After the incident the team physio applied a sling to keep the arm immobilised, and the patient has been taking anti-inflammatory pain relief. The patient was quite irritable as he had been unable to sleep due to his shoulder, and felt frustrated because he had no control over the situation, he was also apprehensive of the time he would require away from his sport while he recovered.
A clavicle fracture is sustained by a direct blow to the clavicle such as a fall or in an accident, a fall from a bike is a common mechanism. Clavicle fractures make up 5% of all fractures; it is a common injury in impact sports such as cycling (Funk, 2012).
The clavicle is an appendage to the axis, and runs horizontally from the base of the neck to the shoulder and is subcutaneous throughout; it has no medullary cavity and is ossified from a membrane (Gunn, 2002). As stated by Hubbard and Mechan (1997) “The clavicles are formed from primitive connective
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