Broken Collarbone

The collarbone (clavicle) is considered part of the shoulder and helps connect the arm to the body. It sits just above several important nerves and blood vessels. These vital structures are rarely injured when the collarbone breaks. The collarbone is a long bone, and most breaks occur in the middle section.

The most common cause of a break is a fall. This is a very common injury in young children and young athletes. It can also occur in newborns as they pass through the birth canal.

Signs of a break

Sagging shoulder (down and forward).
Inability to lift the arm because of pain.
A grinding sensation if an attempt is made to raise the arm.
A deformity or "bump" over the fracture site.
Although a fragment of bone rarely breaks through the skin, it may push the skin into a "tent" formation.

Diagnosis

Although a broken collarbone is usually obvious, your orthopedist will do a careful examination to make sure that no nerves or blood vessels were damaged. An X-ray is often recommended to pinpoint the location and severity of the break.

Treatment

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-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.
A large bump will develop as part of the healing process. This usually disappears
over time, but a small bump may remain.
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.