My grandson broke his right collarbone last year, falling off a jungle gym at school. He had his arm in a sling for quite a while and the doctor said that it healed. But he’s got a bump on the bone where it broke and you can really feel it. His doctor didn’t seem concerned and says so many kids break collarbones that he should know. Is this true or could it be serious?

First, your grandson’s doctor is correct when he says that a broken collarbone, or clavicle, is fairly common among children. The bone hasn’t firmed up completely yet and doesn’t usually until children are in their late teens.

Regarding the bump, while it can’t be said for certainty because your grandson’s bump can’t be seen, the doctor – again – is likely correct. Very often, while the fractured bone is healing, there is a bump. This bump may hang in for quite a while after the fracture has officially healed. If this is what the bump is, there isn’t a cause for alarm.