Clavicle Fracture

Falling from your bike, or being tackled and landing on the tip of your shoulder is a common mechanism for clavicle fractures that we see in the clinic. Most the fractures occur in the middle of the clavicle (called mid-shaft fractures). However, it is possible to have fractures at either end of the collarbone. Midshaft clavicular fractures can cause displacement of the clavicle. This is because of the pull of the muscles (sternocleidomastoid) attached to the inside of the clavicle is no longer held down by the ligaments at the end of the clavicle. This results in the bone being pulled upwards (called tenting). This is disagreement in the literature about whether it is better to have these fractures surgically fixed, as many people with this type of fracture achieve very good function from non-operative treatment.

The best management of this fracture is immobilisation to allow the bone to heal. Commonly people may also have damage to the AC (acromio-clavicular) joint at the lateral end of the clavicle or to the SC (sterno-clavicular) joint at the medial end of the clavicle. This can result in pain when moving your arm, long after your fracture has healed. (Click here for more information of AC Joint injuries)