News

Search

Home > Specialties > Shoulder & Elbow > Shoulder Conditions > Broken Collarbone

Broken Collarbone

A broken collarbone is a break in the clavicle, the bone in the upper chest that connects the breastbone to the shoulder blade. Such breaks are relatively common, especially in babies, adolescents, and athletes. A broken collar bone can occur in several ways, but the most common involves some kind of trauma, such as falling, being hit directly on the shoulder itself, or involvement in an automobile accident.

Treatment

The most common treatment prescribed for a broken collarbone without severe displacement is rest and support with a sling. A figure-eight splint-- a brace that wraps around the shoulders to hold them back-- is sometimes used to correct mild to moderate deformity.

Surgery is indicated in young, active patients with severe displacement or shortening of the collarbone. Recent studies indicate that surgery is preferred over non-operative treatment if the fracture is severely displaced or the skin is broken.

View Physicians