Collarbone Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

What’s Causing My Collarbone Pain?

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Overview

Your collarbone (clavicle) is a solid, slightly S-shaped bone that connects the breastbone (sternum) to the shoulder. It forms two joints: the acromioclavicular joint, which connects the collarbone to the shoulder blade (scapula), and the sternoclavicular joint, which connects the collarbone to the sternum. Collarbone pain can be attributed to various causes, such as fractures, arthritis, bone infections, or other conditions related to the clavicle’s position.

To better understand the anatomy of the clavicle, refer to the BodyMap.

Most Common Cause: Collarbone Fracture

The collarbone is highly susceptible to fractures due to its position in the body. It is one of the most frequently broken bones. A fracture can occur if there is significant force applied to the shoulder. Some common causes of collarbone fractures include:

1. Trauma: Falling hard on one shoulder or experiencing a forceful impact on an outstretched arm can lead to a collarbone fracture.
2. Sports Injury: In contact sports like football, a direct hit to the shoulder can cause a collarbone fracture.
3. Vehicle Accident: Automobile or motorcycle crashes can result in damage to the shoulder, sternum, or both, leading to a fractured collarbone.
4. Birth Accident: Newborns may experience a collarbone fracture during the process of moving through the birth canal, accompanied by other injuries.

Symptoms of a Collarbone Fracture

The most noticeable symptom of a collarbone fracture is sudden and intense pain at the site of the break. Shoulder movement usually exacerbates the pain. Additional signs of a broken collarbone include:

1. Swelling
2. Bruising
3. Tenderness
4. Stiffness in the affected arm

In newborns with a broken collarbone, the injured arm may remain immobile for a few days after birth.

Diagnosis and Treatment

To diagnose a collarbone fracture, a thorough examination of the injury will be conducted by a doctor, looking for signs such as bruising, swelling, and tenderness. X-rays of the clavicle will provide precise information regarding the location and extent of the fracture, as well as the involvement of the joints.

Treatment for a minor collarbone fracture mainly involves immobilizing the arm for several weeks. Initially, a sling will likely be recommended, and a shoulder brace may be used to slightly pull both shoulders back, ensuring proper alignment for bone healing.

Severe collarbone fractures may require surgical intervention to reset the clavicle. The use of pins or screws may be necessary to ensure proper alignment and healing of the broken bone segments.

Other Common Causes of Collarbone Pain

Collarbone pain can occur due to various factors not related to fractures. Some common causes include:

Osteoarthritis

Wear and tear on the acromioclavicular joint or sternoclavicular joint can lead to osteoarthritis in these joints. This condition can result from old injuries or gradual degeneration over time.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis in the collarbone joints include:

• Pain and stiffness in the affected joint
• Slow development and progressive worsening of symptoms over time

Treatment options for osteoarthritis-related collarbone pain:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce pain and inflammation
• Corticosteroid injections to alleviate inflammation and pain over a longer duration
• Avoiding activities that trigger pain and stiffness
• Surgical intervention for joint repair in rare cases

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

The thoracic outlet is the space between the clavicle and the highest rib. Weak shoulder muscles can cause the clavicle to slide down, exerting pressure on the nerves and blood vessels in this area. This can result in collarbone pain, even in the absence of bone injury.

Causes of thoracic outlet syndrome:

• Shoulder injuries
• Poor posture
• Repetitive stress, such as heavy lifting or competitive swimming
• Obesity, which increases pressure on joints
• Congenital defects, such as an extra rib present at birth

Symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome:

• Pain in the collarbone, shoulder, neck, or hand
• Muscle wasting in the fleshy part of the thumb
• Tingling or numbness in the arm or fingers
• Weakened grip
• Arm pain or swelling (indicating a blood clot)
• Change in color of the hand or fingers
• Weakness in the arm or neck
• Painful lump at the collarbone

Diagnosis and treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome:

• Physical examination to assess range of motion and pain during movement
• Imaging tests such as X-rays, ultrasound, and MRI scans to identify compressed nerves or blood vessels
• Physical therapy as the first line of treatment to improve shoulder muscle strength, flexibility, and posture
• Surgical options include removing part of the rib and widening the thoracic outlet or repairing injured blood vessels in severe cases

Joint Injury

Collarbone pain can also occur due to shoulder joint injuries where no bones are broken. One common injury is a separation of the acromioclavicular (AC) joint, where the ligaments stabilizing the joint and holding the bones in place are torn.

Causes of AC joint separation:

• Falls or direct blows to the shoulder

Symptoms of AC joint separation:

• Pain and tenderness around the collarbone
• Development of a bulge above the shoulder

Treatment options for AC joint separation:

• Rest and applying ice to the shoulder
• Wearing a brace that stabilizes the joint
• Surgical intervention in severe cases to repair torn ligaments and potentially trim a portion of the collarbone for proper joint alignment

Sleeping Position

Sleeping on one side and exerting unusual pressure on a specific clavicle can lead to collarbone pain. This discomfort usually subsides over time. To alleviate or prevent this pain, consider:

• Sleeping on your back or the opposite side to avoid pressure on the affected clavicle

Less Common Causes of Collarbone Pain

While fractures, joint conditions, and injuries are the most common causes of collarbone pain, there are some less common but potentially serious causes to be aware of. These include:

Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is a bone infection that can cause collarbone pain. Possible causes of osteomyelitis in the clavicle include:

• A break in which one end of the collarbone pierces the skin
• Bacterial infections such as pneumonia or sepsis that spread to the collarbone
• An open wound near the collarbone becoming infected

Symptoms of clavicular osteomyelitis:

• Collarbone pain and tenderness
• Swelling and warmth around the infected area
• Fever
• Nausea
• Pus draining through the skin

Treatment for osteomyelitis:

• Antibiotics administered intravenously in the hospital, followed by oral medications
• Drainage of any pus or fluid at the infection site
• Immobilization of the affected shoulder during the healing process

Cancer

Collarbone pain can be caused by cancer either spreading to the bone or involving nearby lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are present throughout the body, and when cancer affects them, pain and swelling can occur in the nodes located above the collarbone, under the arm, near the groin, and in the neck.

Specifically, neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that can affect lymph nodes or spread to the bones. It is more common in young children and presents with additional symptoms such as:

• Diarrhea
• Fever
• High blood pressure
• Rapid heartbeat
• Sweating

Treatment for cancers in the collarbone, shoulder, or arm may involve radiation therapy or surgery, depending on the extent and nature of the disease.

At-Home Remedies

For mild collarbone pain, which may be due to muscle strain or a minor injury, you can try the following at-home remedies:

• Rest: Avoid activities that strain your shoulder.
• Ice: Apply ice packs to the sore area for 20 minutes every four hours.
• Compression: Seek assistance from a medical professional to wrap your shoulder carefully to limit swelling. Do not attempt to do it on your own. Immobilizing your arm and shoulder with a sling can also help prevent further injury.
• Elevation: Keep your shoulder elevated above your heart to reduce swelling. Avoid lying down flat for the first 24 hours. If possible, sleep with your head and shoulders slightly elevated.

When to Seek Medical Attention

It is important to know when to see a doctor for collarbone pain. Consider the following guidelines:

• If the pain persists for more than a day or worsens over time, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
• Any injury that visibly changes the position of your collarbone or shoulder should be treated as a medical emergency.
• Delaying medical attention can complicate the healing process, so prompt evaluation is essential.