Broken Collarbone

Expert Shoulder Surgeons in Orange County, CA

The collarbone is considered part of the shoulder and helps connect the arm to the body. The collarbone is a long bone, and most breaks occur in the middle section.

It lies above several important nerves and blood vessels. However, these vital structures are rarely injured when the collarbone breaks.

Causes of a Broken Collarbone

A broken collarbone (fractured clavicle) is a common injury among both children and athletes. Many babies are born with collarbones that broke during the passage down the birth canal. A child’s collarbone can easily crack from a direct blow or fall because the collarbone doesn’t completely harden until a person is about 20 years old. An athlete who falls may break the collarbone because the force of the fall is transmitted from the elbow and shoulder to the collarbone.

Broken Collarbone Symptoms

Symptoms of a broken collarbone include sagging of the shoulder (down and forward), an inability to lift the arm because of pain, or a deformity or “bump” over the fracture site. Sometimes there may be a grinding sensation if an attempt is made to raise the arm. Although a fragment of bone rarely breaks through the skin, it may push the skin into a “tent” formation.

Broken Collarbone Treatment Options

Most broken collarbones heal well with conservative treatment and surgery is rarely necessary. A simple arm sling can usually be used to immobilize the arm. A child may have to wear the sling for 3 to 4 weeks; an adult may have to wear it for 6 to 8 weeks. Depending on the location of the break, your physician may apply a figure-of-eight strap to help maintain shoulder position.

Analgesics such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen will help reduce pain. Range of motion and strengthening exercises can begin as soon as the pain subsides. However, you should not return to sports activities until full shoulder strength returns.

In rare cases, depending on the location of the break and the involvement of shoulder ligaments, surgery is needed. Surgery usually gives good results.