Question
I broke my clavicle just a few days ago and was wondering what the best way to sleep was? I have been sleeping in a reclining position, but was wondering if that was the best thing for healing purposes?

Answer
Hi Jay,

A broken clavicle can be one of the most painful injuries to manage because most people sleep on their side and/or roll frequently sleeping. From a healing standpoint, keep sleeping like you are if you can without causing low back or neck issues. Six weeks from the injury date it should be healed anyway but it seems like forever with a clavicle, I know, I broke mine when I was 16. Hopefully you get the fracture treated with ultrasound when you can depending how they stabilized it. This will cut healing time by at least 30% and prevent arthritis from setting up if the break is through or near the end of the bone where it articulates with either the sternum or A/C joint. Take lots of Glucosamine sulfate and don't smoke to further speed healing and prevent arthritis.

Good Luck!

Dr. Timothy Durnin