CLAVICLE (COLLARBONE) FRACTURE

The clavicle is located between the ribcage (sternum) and the shoulder blade (scapula), connecting the arm to the body. It is a long bone and most breaks occur in the middle of it. Following a clavicle fracture, you may experience the inability to lift the arm because of pain, a sagging shoulder (down and forward), a grinding sensation, a deformity or “bump” over the break, bruising, swelling, and/or tenderness over the collarbone. Depending on whether the bone ends of the break are aligned or have shifted out of place, your doctor may or may not recommend surgery.

The clavicle is located between the ribcage (sternum) and the shoulder blade (scapula), connecting the arm to the body. It is a long bone and most breaks occur in the middle of it. Usually, the clavicle will fracture when you fall on the shoulder or an outstretched arm. Following a clavicle fracture, it may be very difficult to move your arm.

The clavicle can break in various ways. Sometimes it will only slightly crack but more severe fractures can result in many bone fragments (comminuted). These bone fragments can either stay lined up in the correct position or be far out of place (displaced). The most common causes of clavicle fractures are from receiving a direct blow to the shoulder, like a fall or car crash.

Clavicle fractures can be extremely painful and you may not be able to move your arm in any capacity. You also may experience a sagging shoulder (down and forward), a grinding sensation, a deformity or “bump” over the break, bruising, swelling, and/or tenderness over the collarbone. Depending on whether the bone ends of the break are aligned or have shifted out of place, your doctor may or may not recommend surgery.

Non-surgical treatment is successful when the fracture isn’t very displaced. A sling can keep your arm and shoulder in the right place to allow for proper healing. Pain medication like acetaminophen can relieve the pain while the fracture heals. Your doctor may also recommend physical therapy, either immediately after the injury or after the fracture heals to preserve as much arm and shoulder motion. In the case of displaced fractures, surgeons may use internal fixation devices to hold the bone fragments in the normal alignment to heal. The surgical technique is called an open reduction an internal fixation. Various devices like plates, screws and pins can be used.