Broken Collarbone

A broken collarbone (clavicle) is one of the most common injuries when playing sports.

A fall on the shoulder, on an outstretched arm, or a direct blow to the shoulder transmits a significant force to the collarbone, which may result in a clavicle fracture. The injury can range from a small non-displaced fracture to a severely displaced fracture with visible deformity.

Symptoms

Individuals who experience this injury feel a sudden, sharp, intense pain on the front side of the upper body, between the neck and shoulder. The pain increases with movements such as lifting the arm upwards, crossing it in front of the body, and pushing, pulling, or lifting. It is also painful when one is lying on the affected side. In addition to local swelling and hypersensitivity at the fracture site, there may be an audible clicking or crunching noise during movement.

Treatment

Broken collarbones usually heal completely with adequate treatment. A non-painful bump that causes no impairment may form on the bone during healing. Patients who are treated without surgery can usually resume some sports activities after several weeks.