
There may even be a seasonal correlation, with more clavicle fractures occurring in the summer. Elderly people may sustain a fracture from a fall. Young children may sustain a collarbone fracture from falling off playground equipment or out of bed. Males are more than twice as likely to fracture a clavicle as females, at a rate of 68% to 32%. People under 30 years old are more likely to break a collarbone usually resulting from a high energy impact, such as in a car accident or sports injury. This creates enough pressure that the bone snaps or breaks.Įveryone can break a clavicle, but it is more likely to happen to young men. The most common way to break a collarbone is to fall horizontally on your shoulder or on an outstretched hand. Fractures happen because of injury or trauma to a clavicle, especially at the midsection of the bone, and can be very painful.

A collarbone break is the most common fracture, especially among young menĪpproximately 12,600 people break a collarbone in Canada every year, making it the most common fracture sustained. In birds, the clavicles are fused together into the wishbone. The only other animals that have collarbones are mammals with prehensile hands and feet, such as primates and raccoons, and bats. They form the shoulder and allow the arm to have a maximum range of movement.Ĭlavicles are slow-growing - they continue to grow from before we were born to our mid-twenties.

We all have two collarbones - one on the left and one on the right, situated directly above the first rib. They are curved, S-shape bones and the only long bones in our body that lie horizontally. The clavicles, also called collarbones, span across the chest and connect your arms to the trunk of your body. Morris, visit online at Brent J.The collarbone’s connected to the arm bone He is co-author of a textbook devoted to shoulder surgery. Morris and his research team have published extensively on shoulder surgery and ways to improve outcomes and patient satisfaction following shoulder surgery. Morris is an Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (FAAOS) and an Active Member of American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES). Morris has expertise in treating shoulder fractures and is very experienced in treating clavicle fractures. Morris is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and fellowship-trained shoulder and elbow specialist inin Lexington, Kentucky at Baptist Health Lexington – Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. Read more about shoulder fractures here: ĭr. A shoulder specialist can perform a clinical examination and x-ray to see whether surgical or non-surgical treatment will be the best. The physical examination can reveal significant clavicle shortening or a “scapular droop,” which provides important clinical information. Additionally, clavicle fractures with interposed loose “butterfly” fragments or a “kickstand” piece may require surgery.

Most clavicle fractures are able to be successfully treated non-surgically with a sling and rehabilitation however, some displaced and more complex clavicle fractures are often treated with surgery.Ĭlavicle fractures that are displaced or shifted significantly may require surgery. The clavicle serves a key role as a mobile strut for scapular (shoulder blade) and arm motion. The clavicle is actually s-shaped and serves as a crankshaft for the shoulder. Many think of the clavicle as a simple and straight bone, but it is actually quite complex and critical for shoulder function. The clavicle is an important strut for support and motion of the shoulder. An x-ray of the clavicle will confirm the diagnosis of a clavicle fracture. There is often very clear pain and swelling overlying the clavicle at the site of the fracture. How common are clavicle or “collar bone” fractures?Ĭlavicle fractures, also known as “collar bone” fracture, are fairly common and can account for up to 5% of all fractured bones in adults.Ĭlavicle fractures often occur from a direct blow to the shoulder from a fall or sometimes from more serious trauma like a motor vehicle crash.Ī physical examination can confirm the diagnosis of a broken clavicle.
