Clavicle Fractures: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Imagine you're out for a jog or maybe just biking with friends, feeling great and enjoying the day. Suddenly, you trip or take a hard fall. You brush it off at first, but later, you start noticing pain in your shoulder area, especially when you move your arm. The pain gets sharper, and you might even notice a bit of swelling or an odd bump. Something doesn’t feel quite right, and after a visit to the doctor, you find out—it’s a clavicle fracture.

A clavicle fracture, also known as a broken collarbone, is when the bone that connects your shoulder to your chest breaks. It’s a pretty common injury, especially from falls or accidents, but it can be quite painful and affect your arm movement.

Why should this matter to you? Well, knowing the signs and understanding the treatment options can make a big difference in your recovery or even help someone else in the same situation.

Clavicle fracture symptoms

Being able to recognize the symptoms of a clavicle fracture is crucial. Sometimes, it’s easy to mistake the pain for something like a sprain or a muscle strain. Knowing the difference helps you get the right treatment fast, preventing complications and ensuring a smoother recovery. 

Symptoms of a clavicle fracture are:

• Sharp pain: Typically felt in the shoulder or collarbone area, especially when trying to move your arm.
• Swelling: You may notice swelling near the collarbone, which could be tender to the touch.
• A visible bump: Sometimes, a fracture that is very displaced (separated) can push on to the skin, a noticeable bump or deformity around the collarbone. If it is severe enough, it is called “tenting” the skin.
• Limited arm movement: Lifting or moving the arm on the injured side becomes difficult or nearly impossible.
• Bruising: Discoloration around the injury can appear as the result of internal bleeding.
  
  

It's easy to misinterpret symptoms and delay proper care when it comes to something as serious as a clavicle fracture. That’s why relying on shoulder specialists is important. They have the expertise to diagnose and treat fractures accurately, ensuring you return to full mobility faster.

Types of clavicle fractures

Not all clavicle fractures are the same. The type of break can greatly influence the treatment you’ll need and how long it takes to recover. Fractures of the shoulder and collarbone can vary in severity and location, so understanding the differences helps ensure the most effective treatment plan.

Types of clavicle fractures are:

• Midshaft fractures: These are the most common type and occur in the middle of the clavicle. Treatment often involves a sling and rest, but more severe breaks may require surgery.

• Distal fractures: These happen near the end of the clavicle, closer to the shoulder joint. Depending on how displaced the bones are, treatment can range from a simple sling to surgical intervention.

• Medial fractures: These are rarer and occur near the sternum or breastbone. They often require more attention as they can sometimes impact other nearby structures, such as major blood vessels.

Medical professionals use a range of methods to diagnose fractures, including X-rays, CT scans, and physical exams to determine the exact nature and severity of the break.

Clavicle Fracture Treatment

Treating clavicle fractures is essential because, if left untreated, it can lead to complications like improper bone healing, chronic pain, or even a noticeable deformity in the collarbone. Ignoring the injury could also result in limited shoulder mobility, making everyday activities more difficult.

These treatment methods are:

• Sling immobilization: A common first step is using a sling to keep the arm and shoulder in place, reducing movement and allowing the bone to heal. This method works best for less severe fractures.

• Physical therapy: Once the bone has started healing, physical therapy helps regain strength and mobility in the shoulder and arm. It’s a critical part of the recovery process to ensure proper function returns.

• Pain management: Over-the-counter painkillers, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, are often recommended to help manage the discomfort that comes with the injury. In some cases, prescription medication might be necessary.

• Surgery: For more severe fractures where the bones are notably displaced or “shortened”, surgery might be needed to realign the bone with metal plates or screws. This ensures the collarbone heals in the correct, or “anatomic” position.

Your orthopedic surgeon will determine the course of treatment based on the severity of the fracture.

How long does it take to recover from a clavicle fracture?

A clavicle fracture can take up to 12 weeks to fully heal, depending on the severity of the break and the treatment method, but young children can heal faster. Keeping the bone stable with a sling, attending physical therapy, and following your doctor’s advice can speed up recovery and help you regain full shoulder function.

Now, to the topic of returning to sports after a broken collarbone. You see, getting back into sports after a broken collarbone requires patience and proper rehabilitation. Most athletes can return to activity by 12 weeks to minimize the risk of re-fracture, but it’s important not to rush the process. Physical therapy will help rebuild strength and flexibility, ensuring your shoulder is stable before resuming full activity. Trying to play too soon can risk reinjury or prolong the healing process.

Although clavicle fractures usually heal well with proper treatment, there can be complications. Improper healing can result in a visible lump or deformity and, in some cases, chronic pain or reduced shoulder mobility. Weakness and early fatigue of the shoulder are also known complications if the bone does not heal at all or if it heals very short. With regards to surgical treatment, there are surgical risks including hardware complications and infection, albeit rare.  There is also a risk of the hardware causing symptoms that could lead to plate and screws being removed in the future if necessary. Sometimes the scar can remain symptoms despite hardware removal.

What not to do with a broken collarbone?

If you have a broken collarbone, avoid lifting heavy objects or putting pressure on your injured shoulder. Don’t engage in activities that could cause falls or additional strain on the collarbone, as this could worsen the injury or delay healing. Additionally, avoid self-diagnosis and treatment—always consult with a healthcare professional for the proper care plan.

Wrap up

Clavicle fractures can be painful and disruptive, but with the right care and attention, most people make a full recovery. Recognizing the symptoms early, seeking professional treatment, and following a proper rehabilitation plan is key to ensuring the bone heals correctly. Whether you're an athlete eager to get back in the game or just looking to regain everyday mobility, taking the healing process seriously is important. Remember, expert advice and patience are your best allies in recovery.

“Every clavicle fracture is an unique injury, and although there are common patterns, consulting with an orthopedic surgeon during or after diagnosis by x-ray will ensure that patients get the proper treatment for their fracture, which is based on a combination of x-ray, anatomy, fracture alignment, handedness, age, occupation, and recreational activities.  Luckily, the vast majority of clavicle fractures that are treated operatively or nonoperatively heal well”, says Dr. William Sayde, one of the orthopedic sports surgeons at The Orthopedic Institute of New Jersey. 

Find the right treatment for your clavicle fracture—explore expert care options at The Orthopedic Institute of NJ today.

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Every clavicle fracture is an unique injury, and although there are common patterns, consulting with an orthopedic surgeon during or after diagnosis by x-ray will ensure that patients get the proper treatment for their fracture, which is based on a combination of x-ray, anatomy, fracture alignment, handedness, age, occupation, and recreational activities.  Luckily, the vast majority of clavicle fractures that are treated operatively or nonoperatively heal well

William Sayde, MD, Orthopedic Surgery, Knee and Shoulder, Sports Medicine
Sports Medicine Center