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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffTreatment of a broken collarbone varies, depending on the type and location of the break.
Fracture type
- Open (compound) fracture. In this type of fracture, the skin is pierced by the broken bone. This is a serious condition that requires immediate, aggressive treatment to decrease the chance of an infection.
- Closed fracture. In closed fractures, the surrounding skin remains intact.
- Displaced fracture. In this type of fracture, the bone fragments on each side of the break are not aligned. A displaced fracture may require surgery to realign the bones properly.
- Comminuted fracture. This term means that the bone is broken into several pieces. This type of fracture may require surgery for complete healing.
Fracture location
- Middle third fracture. These fractures occur in the middle portion of the collarbone, which is the thinnest part of the bone. Most collarbone breaks are located in the middle third of the bone.
- Distal third fracture. A distal fracture occurs on the outer third of the collarbone, closer to your shoulder blade.
- Proximal third fracture. A proximal fracture occurs on the inner third of the collarbone, closer to your sternum. Proximal fractures are rare. They're often the result of a traffic accident or other serious trauma.
Ice
Applying ice to the affected area during the first two to three days following a collarbone break can help control pain and swelling.
Immobilization
Restricting the movement of any broken bone is critical to healing. To immobilize a broken collarbone, you'll likely need to wear an arm sling. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a figure-eight strap that fits around both your shoulders to help keep the bone in place. The length of time immobilization is needed depends on the severity of the injury. Union of the bone usually takes three to six weeks for children and six to 12 weeks for adults.
Medications
To reduce pain and inflammation, your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever. If you have severe pain, you may need a prescription medication that contains a narcotic for a few days.
Therapy
Rehabilitation begins soon after initial treatment. In most cases, it's important to begin some motion to minimize stiffness in your shoulder while you're still wearing your sling. After your sling is removed, your doctor may recommend additional rehabilitation exercises or physical therapy to restore muscle strength, joint motion and flexibility.
Surgery
Surgery may be required for a fractured collarbone if the bone has broken through your skin, if it is severely out of place or if the bone has broken into several pieces. Broken collarbone surgery usually includes placing fixation devices — plates, screws or rods — to maintain proper position of your bone during healing. Complications are rare, but can include infection and lack of bone healing.
Treatment for infants
If a baby has suffered a broken collarbone during labor and delivery, healing typically occurs without specific treatment. Pain control and careful handling of the baby are usually all that's needed.
- Hatch RL, et al. Clavicle fractures. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 14, 2010.
- Srinivasan RC, et al. Orthopedic surgery. In: Doherty GM. Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Surgery. 13th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=5314010. Accessed April 14, 2010.
- Questions and answers about shoulder problems. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Shoulder_Problems/default.asp. Accessed April 14, 2010.
- Broken collarbone. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00072. Accessed April 14, 2010.
- Hopkins-Mann C, et al. Musculoskeletal disorders in children. In: Tintinalli JE, et al. Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 6th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2004. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=598143. Accessed April 14, 2010.
- Nikovits DA, et al. Common upper and lower extremity fractures. In: South-Paul JE, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment in Family Medicine. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3034687. Accessed April 14, 2010.
- Broken collarbone. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00394. Accessed April 14, 2010.
- Osteoporosis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Osteoporosis/default.asp. Accessed April 28, 2010.
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