Neck & Shoulder

What It Is

The collarbone (clavicle) is one of the main bones of the shoulder. It is the bone that connects the arm to the body, running between the breastbone and the shoulder blade (scapula) (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.). The collarbone helps provide strength and stability to the shoulder. It also lies over, and helps protect, important nerves and blood vessels (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).

Broken collarbones are usually caused by a direct blow to the shoulder, such as a fall onto the shoulder, a car accident or a sports injury, or by a fall onto an outstretched arm (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.). This often happens in contact sports like wrestling, football, rugby or ice hockey. It is one of the most common bony injuries (Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 2026), and it can happen at any age.

Clavicle Fracture Anatomy

The collarbone (clavicle) is a slightly curved bone connecting the breastbone (sternum) to the acromion of the shoulder blade. The shoulder joint provides movement between two of the main bones: the scapula and the humerus (upper arm bone). The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint: the shoulder blade provides the socket for the ball-shaped head of the humerus. Muscles and ligaments work to stabilise the joint during weight-bearing activities and movement.

The clavicle is connected to the scapula at the acromion, which is a bony projection extending from the scapula. This joint, the acromioclavicular (AC) joint, is surrounded and secured by the acromioclavicular ligaments.

When you have a clavicle fracture, one of the key things the hospital will check is whether the fracture is displaced, i.e. whether the broken ends have moved out of line, or whether they have stayed lined up so the bone can re-join. Many broken collarbones, especially those in the middle of the bone, heal without surgery. If the broken ends are very displaced, surgery may be recommended (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.), but the NHS says surgery is rare (NHS, 2023).

Not a diagnosis — for more information, contact me or another trusted healthcare provider.

Treatment

Self-Care & Treatment

How a Clavicle Fracture Is Treated

1. Sling

Most broken collarbones heal without surgery. The hospital will usually put your arm in a sling to keep the shoulder and arm from moving while the bone heals (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.; NHS, 2023). The hospital will tell you how long to wear it; the NHS says this is often 2 to 3 weeks (NHS, 2023).

2. Exercises

I can support the exercises your hospital team or physiotherapist gives you, with hands-on work and exercise to ease stiffness and rebuild strength in your shoulder and arm, within the limits your medical team sets. See the My Approach tab for how I work.

Although there will be some pain, it is important to keep the arm moving to prevent shoulder and elbow stiffness. People often begin hand, wrist and elbow exercises soon after the injury (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.). Once the bone begins to heal, gentle shoulder exercises can be added, and more strenuous exercises are started gradually once the fracture has fully healed (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.). Follow the exercises you are given by the hospital or your physiotherapist. Do not do any lifting or play sport while you are recovering, and ask your doctor when you can go back to more physical activities (NHS, 2023).

3. Pain Relief

The Sherwood Forest Hospitals leaflet says over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen can reduce symptoms (Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 2026), and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (n.d.) also lists anti-inflammatory medicines for pain as the fracture heals. (This medicine information comes from Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, not from me. Always check with a pharmacist or your family doctor or nurse practitioner before taking any medicine.) The hospital will advise you on pain relief.

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor, nurse practitioner or medical team

Options outside my scope

Surgery: for some very displaced fractures, an operation may be recommended to put the broken pieces back in position and hold them with metal plates and screws, or pins or screws, while they heal (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.). If you have surgery, follow your surgical team's own instructions about recovery.

How I can help (see the My Approach tab)

Easing the neck, upper back and other shoulder while your arm is in a sling
Hands-on work for stiffness and scar tissue once you're cleared
Rebuilding shoulder strength and a graded return to activity

Tips

People who have diabetes or who smoke may take longer to heal from the fracture (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).
Returning to regular activities or lifting with your arm before your doctor advises may cause the broken pieces to move (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.). If a fracture fails to heal, this is called non-union.
Whether or not you need surgery, it can take several months for the collarbone to heal fully. Most people return to their regular activities within 3 months of the injury (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.). The NHS says most people recover in 6 to 8 weeks, and children often recover faster, usually in 3 to 4 weeks (NHS, 2023).
Avoid contact sports for at least 10 to 12 weeks, and be guided by your physiotherapist (Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 2026). I can help you build back up towards sport once your medical team clears you.
Babies can break their collarbones during their passage through the birth canal (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).
Stiffness in the shoulder and elbow can occur after a clavicle fracture, which is why keeping the arm moving with your exercises is important (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).

Treatment

My Approach

A broken collarbone needs time to knit, and the rest of you needs looking after while it does. Your hospital team decides how long you wear the sling, what you can lift and when you can go back to sport. I work inside those limits, check what you've been cleared for, and need your medical team's okay before we start hands-on treatment, or your surgical team's if you had an operation.

Please bring any X-ray or scan reports and notes from your medical team to your first visit. They're an important part of planning safe treatment for you.

In the Sling

No pressure or stretch through the broken bone
Easing the neck, upper back and other shoulder, which work overtime while one arm is out of action
Keeping your hand, wrist and elbow moving, as your team advises
Gentle lymphatic drainage for swelling in the arm and hand

Out of the Sling

Hands-on work for the shoulder, chest and upper back to ease stiffness, and around the scar once it has healed if you had surgery
Work on the chest muscles only with your informed consent and a signed consent form
Pain-free assisted movement, then gentle shoulder exercises as your team allows
Stretching, resistance and joint mobilisation across the fracture only once your doctor confirms it has healed
Building strength for the shoulder and shoulder blade, then a graded return to lifting, gym work and sport once you're cleared

No heat goes over metal plates or screws. If you have increasing pain, numbness, or pale or cold fingers, call 911 or go to the emergency room.

What to Expect

Typical Course

Typical course: While you're in the sling, short visits once or twice a week usually help most, then weekly once it comes off, spacing out as you manage more on your own. Most people recover in 6 to 8 weeks and are back to their regular activities within 3 months, with contact sport waiting at least 10 to 12 weeks, always following your medical team's plan.

What I Focus On

Working Within Your Team's Limits

Compensation Relief

Swelling Control

Shoulder & Scar Mobility

Graded Return to Strength

Please read

When to See a Doctor First

When to Get Emergency Help

A broken collarbone needs to be treated in hospital (NHS, 2023). Call 911 or go to the emergency room at your nearest hospital if, after an injury, your shoulder has changed shape, has swollen very quickly or has bone sticking out of the skin, or if you are bleeding heavily, having difficulty breathing, have chest pain or are coughing up blood (NHS, 2023). While you wait, support the arm in a sling made from a towel or bandage and avoid using the shoulder (NHS, 2023).

Sources

References

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (n.d.) Clavicle fracture (broken collarbone). OrthoInfo. Available at: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/clavicle-fracture-broken-collarbone/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
NHS (2023) Broken collarbone. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/broken-collarbone/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (2026) Clavicle fractures. Patient information leaflet. Available at: https://www.sfh-tr.nhs.uk/media/qnnmggwx/clavicle-fracture.pdf (Accessed: 7 October 2026).

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooClavicle Fracture

What It Is

Clavicle Fracture Anatomy

Self-Care & Treatment

How a Clavicle Fracture Is Treated

1. Sling

2. Exercises

3. Pain Relief

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor, nurse practitioner or medical team

Tips

My Approach

In the Sling

Out of the Sling

Typical Course

When to See a Doctor First

When to Get Emergency Help

References

Related Conditions

Book a session

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooClavicle Fracture

What It Is

Clavicle Fracture Anatomy

Self-Care & Treatment

How a Clavicle Fracture Is Treated

1. Sling

2. Exercises

3. Pain Relief

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor, nurse practitioner or medical team

Tips

My Approach

In the Sling

Out of the Sling

Typical Course

When to See a Doctor First

When to Get Emergency Help

References

Related Conditions

Acromioclavicular Joint Separation

Biceps Tendon Tear at the Elbow

Biceps Tendon Tear at the Shoulder

Burners and Stingers

Book a session