Clavicle (Collarbone) Fracture Treatment & Recovery Guide

Overview

A clavicle fracture, also called a collarbone fracture, is a break in the long, thin bone that connects your shoulder to the front of your chest. It is one of the most common broken bones, accounting for about 5% of all fractures in adults and up to 15% of fractures in children. Most clavicle fractures happen in the middle section of the bone, and they are usually caused by falls, sports injuries, or car accidents. With proper treatment, nearly all clavicle fractures heal completely with no long-term problems.

Signs & Symptoms

If you have a clavicle fracture, you will likely notice immediate pain, swelling, and bruising over your collarbone and shoulder. You may have trouble lifting your arm, and the broken bone may feel out of place or make a grinding sound when you move your shoulder. In some cases, the bone may break through the skin, or you may feel numbness or tingling down your arm if the fracture is pressing on nearby nerves.

• Immediate, sharp pain in the collarbone, shoulder, or upper chest that gets worse when you move your arm
• Swelling, bruising, and tenderness over the collarbone
• Difficulty lifting or moving your arm
• A visible bump, deformity, or grinding sensation at the break site
• Numbness or tingling in the arm or hand (less common)

Causes & Risk Factors

Most clavicle fractures happen when you fall onto your shoulder or outstretched arm, which puts direct force on the collarbone. Direct blows to the shoulder—like those that happen during contact sports (football, hockey, rugby) or car accidents—are another common cause. Risk factors for a clavicle fracture include playing high-impact sports, being under 25 or over 65 years old, having low bone density (osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and makes them more likely to break), and being male (men are twice as likely to break their collarbone as women).

Diagnosis

If you think you have a clavicle fracture, see a healthcare provider right away. They will first ask about how your injury happened and examine your shoulder and collarbone for swelling, tenderness, and deformity. You will likely get an X-ray to confirm the fracture, see how far apart the broken bone ends are, and check for any other injuries to the shoulder or ribs. In rare cases, a CT scan may be ordered if the fracture is complex or involves nearby joints.

Treatment & Management

Treatment for a clavicle fracture depends on how severe the break is, whether the bone ends are out of alignment, and your overall health. Most non-displaced fractures heal with non-surgical treatment like a sling and physical therapy, while displaced, open, or complex fractures may require surgery to realign and stabilize the bone with metal plates, screws, or pins. Surgery is usually done within a few days of the injury, and most people recover fully with proper post-surgery care.

• Wearing a sling to keep your arm still and reduce pain for 1 to 2 weeks, or as directed by your provider
• Applying an ice pack wrapped in a thin towel to the injury for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours for the first 3-5 days to reduce swelling
• Taking over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen exactly as directed by your provider
• Doing gentle range-of-motion exercises for your elbow, wrist, and hand as soon as pain allows to prevent stiffness

Living With It & Recovery

Most people start feeling better within a few days of starting treatment, and can return to light daily activities within 2 to 4 weeks. You will work with a physical therapist to gradually rebuild strength and range of motion in your shoulder, starting with gentle exercises and moving to more challenging ones as your bone heals. Avoid heavy lifting, contact sports, and overhead activities for at least 6 to 12 weeks, or until your provider says your fracture is fully healed. Most people have no long-term limitations after a clavicle fracture, though some may have a small bump at the break site that fades over time.