Collarbone Fracture: Anatomy, Symptoms, and Treatment Options A broken #collarbone is one of the most common fractures, and for many patients it is the first broken bone of their life. Your clavicle is the S shaped bone running from the base of the neck to the front of the shoulder. It is the only bony link between the arm and the rest of the skeleton. Think of it as a strut. It holds the shoulder out away from the chest so the arm can reach, lift, and rotate. It also shields the nerves and blood vessels traveling from the neck into the arm. . Most #clavicle fractures happen the same way - fall onto the side of the shoulder sends force along the bone until it gives way at the middle third. That segment is the thinnest part of the clavicle and the only portion without ligament or muscle reinforcement. The signs are hard to miss. Pain over the collarbone, swelling, a visible bump, a grinding sensation with movement, and a shoulder that sags downward and forward. An X ray confirms the diagnosis and shows how far the fragments have shifted. The majority of broken collarbones heal w/o surgery. A sling for comfort, pain control, and early motion at the hand, wrist, and elbow are enough in most cases, followed by gentle shoulder work once healing begins. Surgery earns its place in specific situations - Bone tenting or breaking through the skin, nerve or vessel involvement, significant displacement or shortening, and fractures broken into several pieces all shift the balance toward repair. The fragments are then realigned and held with a plate and screws. A bump at the fracture site is normal and often permanent, function is what matters most. #orthopedics 👇 SHARE your #shoulderinjury experience . . 🎥 @DannyGoelMD @Dom @mtbinsuranceuk - note: Studies indicate up to 25–28% of all traumatic cycling injuries are #brokencollarbones