Have you recently fallen or injured your shoulder? If you’re dealing with severe shoulder pain, swelling, or a noticeable bump near your collarbone, you may have a clavicle fracture or broken collarbone. Other symptoms to watch for include difficulty moving your arm, bruising around the shoulder, or a grinding sensation near the fracture site.
Clavicle fractures are common, especially after falls, and can account for up to 5% of adult injuries. If not treated properly, they can lead to lasting pain and limited mobility, making recovery more difficult.
What is a Clavicle Fracture?
A clavicle fracture is a break in the clavicle bone, commonly known as the collarbone. It’s a frequent injury, making up to 10% of all fractures, and is especially common in children. The clavicle connects your arm to your torso, and because it’s located just beneath the skin, it’s easy to injure.
Symptoms of a Clavicle Fracture
The symptoms of a clavicle fracture are pretty clear:
- Pain over the clavicle: The pain is usually sharp and localized to the fracture site.
- Limited arm movement: People with a clavicle fracture often keep their arms close to their bodies to avoid pain.
- A snapping or cracking sound: This is heard at the time of injury.
- Visible deformity: In some cases, the shoulder may appear displaced or lower than usual.
- Bruising or swelling: Bruising and swelling are common around the injury site.
- Tenting of the skin: Severe fractures may cause the skin to bulge outward.
A clavicle fracture can damage nearby nerves or blood vessels in severe cases, so a thorough examination is crucial.
Causes of a Clavicle Fracture
Clavicle fractures typically occur due to the following:
- Falls onto the lateral shoulder are the most common cause, making up 87% of cases.
- Direct trauma to the clavicle: For example, being hit by something hard.
- Falling onto an outstretched hand: Less common but can also cause a break.
These fractures often happen in two groups: young adults, primarily due to sports injuries, and older adults, typically from falls.
Treatment and Management
Most clavicle fractures are treated conservatively, without surgery, with a focus on:
- Rest and Immobilization: A sling is commonly used to support the arm during healing.
- Pain Management: Over-the-counter pain relievers can help manage discomfort during recovery.
In severe cases, surgery may be needed to realign the bone and stabilize it, especially if the fracture is displaced or if there is damage to nearby nerves or blood vessels
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
At Prestige Health and Wellness in NYC, we offer several non-invasive treatments to aid in recovery from clavicle fractures:
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care uses adjustments, joint mobilization, and soft tissue therapy to relieve pain, improve posture, and restore mobility in the shoulder and spine.
While it doesn’t directly treat the fracture, chiropractic care is key in reducing strain on the clavicle and supporting overall recovery.
Physical Therapy
Our personalized physical therapy programs guide recovery through three phases:
- Phase 1 (Weeks 1–4): Focuses on stabilizing the clavicle with slings or braces, managing pain with cold therapy, and maintaining flexibility in the wrist, hand, and elbow during immobilization.
- Phase 2 (Weeks 4–8): Gradual reintroduction of shoulder movement, strengthening exercises to rebuild muscles, and postural training to support the clavicle’s healing and avoid unnecessary stress on the area.
- Phase 3 (Weeks 8+): Continued strengthening with advanced exercises, functional training for daily activities and sports, and balance and stability exercises to restore full shoulder function and reduce re-injury risk.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy can help alleviate pain, improve circulation, and enhance flexibility during recovery. This treatment supports relaxation, promotes better tissue healing, and eases muscle tension.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is known for helping with pain reduction and inflammation control, promoting faster and more efficient healing. This treatment can be a key element of a holistic recovery plan.
Additional Therapies
We also offer cold laser therapy, which helps reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and support the body’s natural healing. These therapies work in conjunction with physical therapy and chiropractic care to maximize the recovery process.
Start Your Recovery from Clavicle Fractures
If you’re struggling with shoulder pain or limited mobility from a clavicle fracture, we’re here to help. At Prestige Health and Wellness, we specialize in chiropractic care, physical therapy, and other non-invasive treatments designed to reduce pain, improve mobility, and support your recovery.
Visit us at one of our convenient locations: Financial District, Hudson Yards, Chelsea, or Nomad. Call us today at (917) 694-1565 or book your appointment online to begin your journey toward healing and restored shoulder health.
Sources
Bentley TP, Hosseinzadeh S. Clavicle Fractures. [Updated 2023 Jul 31]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507892/