A broken collarbone, or clavicle fracture, is a break in the small, thin bone located in the front of the body near the shoulder. Collarbone fractures typically result from falls or high-impact injuries.
Collarbone Fractures (Clavicle Fractures)
Collarbone fractures most often affect the middle of the collarbone. X-rays help determine if surgical or nonsurgical treatment is needed.
Proper alignment of the collarbone is needed for a fracture to heal. The type of fracture will help determine which treatment is best. Some collarbone fractures will heal on their own when the shoulder and arm are immobilized by wearing a shoulder sling, while others may require surgery.
A metal plate, screws, and sometimes a suture implant can be used to hold a broken collarbone in place to stabilize a fracture.
To repair a collarbone fracture, incisions will typically be made along the front of the shoulder. This allows the surgeon to access the fracture and stabilize the bones.
