A broken collarbone is one of the most common broken bones. It often happens after a fall onto the shoulder or an outstretched arm, such as a bike crash, a snowboard fall, or a hard hit in sports. The collarbone, also called the clavicle, sits right under the skin, so a break is often easy to see and feel.
Treatment for collarbone fractures has been a hot topic among orthopedic surgeons. In 2026, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) published a summary of its Appropriate Use Criteria for treating mid-shaft clavicle fractures in the Journal of the AAOS. These criteria help surgeons decide which patients do best with a sling and which may benefit from surgery. This guide explains the signs of a broken collarbone, the treatment options, what healing looks like, and how to recover well.
What Is a Broken Collarbone?
The collarbone is a long, thin bone that runs across the top of the chest, between the breastbone and the shoulder blade. It acts like a strut that holds the shoulder out to the side. Most breaks happen in the middle part of the bone, which is the thinnest area. Doctors call these mid-shaft clavicle fractures.
Common Causes
Falls onto the shoulder are the most common cause. Cyclists, skiers, snowboarders, skateboarders, and football and soccer players are at higher risk. Car crashes can also cause collarbone fractures. In older adults with weaker bones, a simple fall from standing can break the collarbone.
Symptoms of a Broken Collarbone
Signs include pain over the collarbone, swelling, bruising, and a bump or sag at the break. Many people hold their injured arm close to the body with the other hand because moving the shoulder hurts. Some people feel or hear a grinding sound when they try to lift the arm. Seek care right away if the skin is broken over the bone, if the skin is tented by a sharp bone edge, or if you have numbness in the arm or trouble breathing.
Broken Collarbone Treatment Options
A doctor will examine your shoulder and order X-rays to see where the bone is broken and how far the pieces have moved. Treatment depends on the type of fracture, how much the bone has shifted, your age, your activity level, and your overall health.
Nonsurgical Treatment
Many broken collarbones heal well without surgery, especially when the bone ends are still lined up fairly well. Treatment usually includes a sling to support the arm and keep it still while the bone starts to heal. Pain medicine and ice help in the first days. Your doctor will take follow-up X-rays to make sure the bone is healing in a good position. A healed collarbone often has a firm bump where the new bone formed. This is normal and usually becomes less noticeable over time.
Surgical Treatment
Surgery may be recommended when the bone pieces are shifted far apart, overlap and shorten the collarbone, are broken into several pieces, or press against the skin. Some active adults and athletes choose surgery to help the bone line up better. The most common surgery uses a metal plate and screws to hold the bone in place while it heals. In some cases, a rod is placed inside the bone instead.
Surgery has benefits and risks. It can lower the chance that the bone will fail to heal and may help some people regain strength sooner. Risks include infection, numbness of the skin below the scar, and hardware that bothers you and later needs to be removed. Your surgeon will talk with you about which option makes the most sense for your injury and goals.
Why Guidelines Matter
The AAOS Appropriate Use Criteria for mid-shaft clavicle fractures are tools that help surgeons match treatment to each patient's situation. They look at factors such as how much the bone has shifted, the patient's age and activity level, and other injuries. These criteria support shared decision-making between you and your surgeon rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Our fractures and trauma team uses this kind of evidence-based approach when caring for broken bones.
Broken Collarbone Healing Time and Recovery
Healing time depends on age and the type of break. Children often heal in a few weeks. In adults, a broken collarbone often takes about 6 to 12 weeks to heal, and it can take a few months to regain full strength. Smokers and people with diabetes may heal more slowly.
The First Few Weeks
You will wear a sling most of the time. Avoid lifting the arm above shoulder height and do not lift anything heavy. Keep moving your elbow, wrist, and fingers several times a day so they do not get stiff. Sleeping can be uncomfortable at first, and many people find it easier to sleep propped up on pillows or in a recliner.
Physical Therapy
As the bone heals, your doctor will have you start gentle shoulder exercises. Over time, physical therapy adds range of motion and then strengthening. Following the program helps prevent a stiff shoulder and rebuilds the muscles you need for work and sports. You can learn more about shoulder care on our shoulder page.
Returning to Work and Sports
Desk work may be possible within days to a couple of weeks. Jobs that involve lifting or overhead work take longer. Most people can return to contact sports, cycling, or skiing only after X-rays show the bone has healed and strength and motion are back to normal. Going back too soon raises the risk of breaking the bone again.
When to See a Specialist for a Collarbone Injury
Anyone with a suspected broken collarbone should be evaluated. An X-ray is the only way to know how the bone is broken and whether it needs more than a sling. See an orthopedic specialist promptly if your collarbone looks deformed, if the pain is severe, or if you have numbness or tingling in the arm.
You should also follow up if pain is not improving after several weeks, if the bump at the fracture keeps moving, or if you feel clicking when you lift your arm. These can be signs that the bone is not healing as expected. Patients from Claremont, La Verne, Upland, and across the Pomona Valley can be seen quickly at our Pomona office, often the same day or the next day.
Conclusion
A broken collarbone is painful, but most people heal well with the right care. Many fractures heal in a sling, while others do better with surgery. Following your treatment plan, keeping your elbow and hand moving, and completing physical therapy are the keys to getting back to full strength. If you have had a fall or sports injury and think you may have broken your collarbone, get it checked so you can start the right treatment early.
If you're experiencing a broken collarbone or shoulder pain after a fall, the team at Garey Orthopedic Medical Group is here to help. We offer same-day and next-day appointments for new patients. Visit gareyortho.com or call us to schedule today.