Why Does My Collarbone Hurt? 6 Common Causes, Plus How to Treat It

stefanamer/iStock via Getty Images Plus

You may not think of the collarbone as important. But this bone - known as the clavicle - is important for stabilizing the shoulder joint. Because the collarbone is used so much to help support the arm, it can easily be injured.

Fractures, dislocations, and strains can all affect the collarbone or the joints at each end of it. Continue reading to learn more about common causes, symptoms, and treatments for collarbone pain.

What are the most common causes of collarbone pain?

Injuries that directly impact the shoulder or collarbone, such as a fall or direct blow, can cause injury to your collarbone. In other cases, poor posture or repeated strain can irritate the ends of the collarbone where it meets another bone. Here are six causes of collarbone pain.

1. Fractures

The collarbone is a thin bone. While it has an important role in stabilizing the shoulder and arm, it can be at risk for injury. High-impact trauma, including car accidents, contact sports, and falls, can break the collarbone. A sudden onset of pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the arm are common.

2. Dislocations

The collarbone connects the shoulder blade (scapula) to the breastbone (sternum). A high amount of force can cause the collarbone to dislocate at the sternoclavicular (SC) joint where it connects to the breastbone. This injury - called an SC joint dislocation - often occurs with a motor vehicle accident or contact sports injury.

Rarely, dislocations can occur without trauma if you have arthritis or loose ligaments. Dislocations also result in sudden onset of pain, swelling, and limited arm movement.

3. AC joint sprain or separation

The acromion is a small part of the scapula that meets the end of the clavicle, forming the acromioclavicular (AC) joint. Direct injury to this area or a fall can damage the ligaments that secure the AC joint in place. This causes an AC joint sprain if the ligaments are stretched, or AC joint separation if the ligaments are torn. Both conditions cause pain and difficulty with arm movements, especially overhead and across the body.

4. Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is wear-and-tear arthritis that occurs over time. It develops when the cartilage at the ends of bones that form joints slowly breaks down. Osteoarthritis can affect the AC joint, especially if you've had an injury there in the past. This results in AC joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited movement.

5. Weightlifter's shoulder

Weightlifter's shoulder causes collarbone pain at the AC joint. As its name suggests, it can occur in weightlifters due to repeated stress from heavy lifting. This condition, officially known as distal clavicular osteolysis, results from breakdown of bone at the end of the collarbone due to repeated friction. It causes pain at the AC joint, which is worse with heavy lifting and overhead movement. It also makes sleeping on the affected side painful.

6. Thoracic outlet syndrome

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) isn't exactly common, but it's an important issue to know about. TOS results from compression of nerves and/or blood vessels between the collarbone and first rib.

This results in symptoms from the shoulder down the arm like:

• Pain

• Numbness

• Tingling

• Weakness

• Decreased blood flow

It's rare to have collarbone pain alone without other symptoms in the arm or hand. But there are a number of possible causes, including:

• Poor posture

• Repeated activity

• Abnormal bone structure

• Injury

What are less common causes of collarbone pain?

Most cases of collarbone pain result from injury, overuse, or poor posture. In rare cases, less common causes can affect the collarbone and result in pain. These include:

• Osteomyelitis, or bone infection

• Condensing osteitis, abnormal thickening of the bone due to inflammation

• Bone tumor

How do you treat collarbone pain?

Treatment for collarbone pain usually starts with rest from aggravating movements and activities. Repeated upper body movements can irritate the collarbone and AC or SC joints. When possible, avoid heavy lifting and repeatedly lifting your arm up overhead or across your body. These movements place stress at the AC joint and can make symptoms worse.

Other treatments that can help collarbone pain include:

• Wearing a shoulder sling for a short amount of time

• Ice or cold therapy

• Pain relieving medications, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

• Physical therapy to strengthen the surrounding muscles, improve posture, and support the AC joint

When should you see a healthcare professional about clavicle pain?

If you have collarbone pain following an accident, contact injury, or fall, see a healthcare professional right away. These injuries can result in fractures or dislocations, which require immediate medical attention. A medical professional will take an X-ray of your collarbone to make a diagnosis. If a fracture or dislocation has occurred, you may be given a shoulder sling to keep your arm stable and allow your collarbone to heal. In more serious cases, surgery may be needed to fix a fracture or realign the collarbone.

For collarbone pain not caused by trauma, you may still want to schedule a visit with a healthcare professional as soon as possible. Some conditions that affect the AC joint occur over time. But without treatment, they could get worse. In some cases, a corticosteroid injection into your AC joint could help relieve pain and inflammation.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.