Clavicle Fracture ORIF

Sutter Health / Palo Alto Medical Foundation · Kevin Roth MD

Weight-Bearing

N/A (upper extremity)

Key Restrictions

Sling at all times wks 1-3 (remove for exercises/showering); transition out of sling wks 3-4; no AROM against gravity Phase I; MD clearance required for sport-specific RTS; throwing/tennis/volleyball at 6+ months

Timeline & Phases

Phase I (wks 1-3): sling at all times, PROM as tolerated, no AROM against gravity, Codman's pendulums, scapular sets/shrugs/retraction-protraction, towel slides, ER with broom handle, supine AAROM, elbow/wrist/hand ROM | Phase II (wks 3-6): transition out of sling wks 3-4, progress PROM, pool therapy for AAROM, AROM against gravity, pulley exercises, light scapular strengthening, gentle joint/soft tissue mobilization | Phase III (wks 6-12): full AROM/PROM without discomfort, stretching/mobs/ROM, RC theraband strengthening, lat/biceps/triceps/pecs/rhomboids/deltoids strengthening, supine → seated → standing AAROM, pool AAROM | Phase IV (months 3-4): full ROM, eccentric strengthening, sport/job-specific activities | Phase V (months 4-6): with MD clearance — weight training, skiing, golf, basketball, manual labor | Phase VI (6+ months): with MD clearance — throwing sports, tennis, volleyball

Notes

Published 2024; 6-phase protocol with explicit sport-specific return timelines; pool therapy used as AAROM assistance Phase II; phase V/VI RTS requires Dr. Roth clearance; throwing sports/tennis/volleyball held until 6+ months; Kevin Roth MD Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Palo Alto CA (650-853-2943)

Surgeon / Author

Kevin Roth MD

Published

2024