Clavicle fracture (broken collarbone)
9-minute read
Key facts
- A clavicle fracture (broken collarbone) is caused by direct trauma to your collarbone.
- Young people aged 15 to 25 years old and older people are most likely to break their collarbones.
- A clavicle fracture can cause a lot of pain and make it hard to move your arm.
- You won't be able to do contact sports for at least 12 weeks after your fracture.
- You can't prevent clavicle fractures, but you can reduce your risk by using safety equipment during activities such as cycling.
What is a clavicle fracture (broken collarbone)?
A clavicle fracture is commonly known as a broken collarbone. Your collarbone is the long bone that runs from your shoulder to your throat. A direct blow or trauma to your collarbone is the most common cause of a clavicle fracture.
A clavicle fracture usually happens to the middle of your bone. It can also happen closer to the end of your bone near your shoulder (lateral).
A broken collarbone is much less likely to happen at the end of your bone closest to your throat (medial).
What are the symptoms of a clavicle fracture?
If you have a clavicle fracture you might feel a lot of pain and find it hard to move your arm. You may also have other symptoms such as:
- your shoulder may sag down or forwards
- you may not be able to lift your arm because of the pain
- you may have a grinding feeling when you try to lift your arm
- a bump might form around the break
- you may have a bruise or swelling around your collarbone
People who have fractured their clavicle have described hearing a 'crack' sound at the time of injury.
Young children can break their collarbone. You might not see the accident that causes a clavicle fracture. So, the only symptom your child may have is that they stop using their injured arm.
CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.
What causes a clavicle fracture?
A clavicle fracture can happen if you:
- fall directly onto your shoulder, such as while playing sports
- fall onto your outstretched arm
- have been in a car accident
- fall from a bike or horse
- have been hit directly on your clavicle by an object, like a sports bat
Some people are more likely to fracture their clavicle, including:
- males
- people aged between 15 to 24 years
- females aged over 65 years
- people with osteoporosis
- people who smoke or drink alcohol
- people who don't get enough sleep (less than 7 hours a night)
Babies whose shoulders get stuck in the birth canal during birth, may end up with a broken collarbone.
When should I see my doctor?
See a doctor if you have had a fall or accident and think you may have hurt your clavicle.
FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.
When to seek urgent care
Call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance if the fracture was caused by a major accident.
You should seek urgent care if:
- you have an open fracture — the end of your bone is sticking through your skin
- you feel a new tingling or weakness in your arm
- your skin is taut and stretched over your broken bone
- you're struggling to breathe
- you feel very unwell or faint
If you have been in a serious accident, such as a car accident, you should get urgent care right away.
How is a clavicle fracture diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask you what happened and examine you to check for swelling or bumps around your shoulder. They will also ask you about your medical history.
You will need an x-ray to confirm that your clavicle is fractured.
ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.
How is a clavicle fracture treated?
Your arm may be put in a sling for comfort and to keep your shoulder in the correct position as it heals. You will have to wear the sling for 1 to 2 weeks.
It can take up to 8 weeks for your bones to fully heal. But you will feel less pain and be able to use your arm more after 2 to 3 weeks.
You will have to see your doctor regularly as your clavicle heals. They will take x-rays of your shoulder to check that your bone is healing well and in the right position.
As your bone heals, your doctor may also refer you to a physiotherapist.
Self-care at home
While you are recovering at home you can:
- rest and avoid doing anything that increases your pain
- use an icepack for 20 minutes every 2 hours to help with the pain and swelling
- move your elbow, fingers and hands when it's comfortable to do so
- remove your sling for short periods if it isn't too painful
Sleeping can be hard when you fracture your clavicle. You can try sleeping upright by arranging your pillows around your chest. This can also help to stop you rolling onto your injured side.
Sleeping will get easier after the first 24 to 48 hours after your fracture.
After your bone has healed, you can slowly get back to your normal activities. Your doctor will let you know when it's safe to do so.
You shouldn't take part in contact sports for at least 10 to 12 weeks after your fracture.
Medicines for a clavicle fracture
You can take pain medicines such as paracetamol to help with the pain as your bone heals.
Pain medicine is usually taken regularly for the first few days after the injury. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist for more information about which medicine you can take.
It's important to take your medicine as directed by your doctor.
Other treatment options
Most people don't need surgery for a clavicle fracture.
You may need surgery if:
- your broken clavicle bone is pushing into your skin
- there is too much movement with your broken bones
- the break is near the end of your bone
What are the complications of a clavicle fracture?
You may develop a lump on your collarbone in the area where your bone is healing. This is called a callus and will most likely remain there after your bone has healed. In children, this lump is more likely to go away.
You might lose some shoulder and arm strength after a clavicle fracture. After your pain starts to decrease, your doctor may suggest some shoulder exercises. These exercises will help with shoulder stiffness and weakness.
Some other complications of a broken collarbone are:
- infection after surgery
- fracture displacement — your break becomes more separated
- fracture malunion — your fracture heals in the wrong position
- fracture non-union — your fracture isn't healing
If you smoke, you may have a higher chance of having a malunion or non-union fracture.
Can a clavicle fracture be prevented?
There is no way to completely prevent a clavicle fracture.
However, these fractures often happen as a result of an accident. Some ways to lower your chance of getting a broken collarbone are:
- using safety equipment when playing sports
- having proper training for the activity you're doing
- using the correct equipment for the activity, such as wearing a seat belt when driving
Resources and support
- Townsville Hospital and Health Service has a factsheet on what to do after you break your collarbone.
- The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne has information on how to care for a child with a clavicle fracture.
- The Health Resource Directory has information in English and other languages on clavicle fractures. Select 'language' on the navigation bar and choose your language.
You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.