How Do You Break Your Collarbone?
A collarbone fracture might occur if you:
- Fall directly onto your shoulder
- Fall onto an outstretched arm
- Experience a hard impact, such as from a sports collision or car accident
Because the collarbone sits above important nerves and blood vessels, it’s important to have any suspected fracture evaluated quickly to rule out complications.
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Signs and Symptoms of a Broken Collarbone
Common signs of a clavicle fracture include:
- Shoulder sagging downward and forward
- A visible bump or deformity over the break
- Inability to lift your arm due to pain
- Grinding or clicking when trying to raise the arm
- Bruising, swelling or tenderness over the collarbone
If the bone is displaced, you might notice the skin tenting over the fracture site. Seek medical attention immediately if you see an obvious deformity or have numbness, tingling or severe swelling.
Broken Collarbone Treatment
To diagnose a collarbone fracture, your doctor will begin with a physical exam, then X-rays are usually ordered to confirm the diagnosis and determine the exact location and severity of the fracture.
In more complex cases — or when multiple bones are injured — your doctor may also recommend a CT scan for a detailed view of the fracture pattern.
Treatment for a broken collarbone depends on how far out of place the bone fragments are and if the surrounding structures are affected.
Nonsurgical Treatment
Most clavicle fractures heal without needing surgery. Common nonsurgical approaches include:
- Sling support: Keeps the arm and shoulder immobilized during healing.
- Pain management: Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen reduce pain and inflammation.
- Gentle movement: Early exercises for the hand, wrist and elbow prevent stiffness. Once pain improves, your provider may start you on light shoulder exercises.
- Physical therapy: As healing progresses, therapy helps rebuild strength, flexibility and function.
Broken Collarbone Surgery
If the broken pieces of bone are significantly displaced, your provider may recommend surgery to restore alignment and shoulder strength.
The most common procedure, open reduction and internal fixation, involves repositioning the bone fragments and securing them with plates, screws or pins. Surgery helps improve stability and function, especially for active individuals and complex fractures.
After surgery, physical therapy is essential to regain range of motion and prevent stiffness. Most people return to their regular activities within about three months.
Broken Collarbone Recovery
Whether treated surgically or not, most patients experience full recovery with proper rehabilitation. Mild soreness and a small bump at the fracture site are common as the bone heals.
What Not to Do with a Broken Collarbone
Avoid lifting, overhead movements and returning to sports until your doctor confirms your collarbone is fully healed. Healing may take longer in people who smoke or have conditions like diabetes, which can slow bone repair.
How Long Will a Broken Collarbone Take to Heal?
Healing typically takes 6 to 12 weeks, and you’ll have regular follow-ups to ensure the bone is healing correctly.
Broken Collarbone Treatment at OrthoNebraska
Recovering from a broken collarbone in the Omaha area? At OrthoNebraska, we want to make sure that our patients feel understood, safe and confident to take on an appropriate treatment plan. With proper management, we can help you reduce pain levels and improve quality of life.
