top of page
Clavicle Fractures

Clavicle Fractures

Clavicle Fracture Symptoms and Treatment
​
What is a clavicle fracture?

The clavicle is more commonly referred to as the collarbone. A clavicle fracture occurs when there is a break in this bone. Symptoms of a clavicle fracture include:

  • Pain in the clavicle area

  • Sharp pain when moving, or pain so intense it causes immobility

  • Bruising, swelling, and tenderness

  • Visible deformity of the collarbone

 
What causes a clavicle fracture?

A clavicle fracture is most often caused by direct impact to the area, which makes it a common car accident injury. Other causes include falling and landing on the shoulder or an outstretched arm.

​

How is a clavicle fracture diagnosed?

Your doctor will first ask you questions about your accident and how your collarbone was injured. Next, he will examine the area, where there will generally be obvious signs of a fracture (a bump, pain when pressure is applied, etc). Finally, your doctor will send you for an x-ray of your shoulder area to pinpoint the exact location of the fracture. This is to ensure that you have not suffered any other serious damage in the area, and also to determine the extent and severity of your injury.

​

How do you treat a clavicle fracture?

Clavicle fracture treatment varies widely depending on the severity of the fracture. Generally, these injuries will heal without surgery, but occasionally it is necessary to undergo surgery.

​

  • Nonsurgical treatment: If your bones have not shifted too far out of place, you may not require surgery to fix a broken collarbone. In this case, the doctor will immediately put your arm in a sling to immobilize the area while the bone grows back together. Depending on your pain level, you may also be treated for pain management during the healing process. After the fracture begins to heal, your doctor will send you to see a physical therapist, who will help you regain the strength that you lost while not using the muscles in the area.

​

  • Surgical treatment: If your bones have been moved out of place due to the force involved in your accident, you may need surgery to realign them while they heal. During this surgery, your bones will be realigned with pins, plates, or screws. Pins are removed after healing, but plates and screws are usually permanent but not noticeable.

 

What is the recovery time for a clavicle fracture?

Your recovery time depends on a number of factors, including your age, the severity of your fracture, and your health. On average, you can return to regular activities within three months of your injury, with full strength returning to the area within 9-12 months. Children and teenagers tend to heal from these injuries slightly faster.

​

Sall Myers Medical Associates is your one stop treatment facility and will provide for all your car accident or personal injury needs. We provide evaluations and treatments for all types of injuries throughout Northern New Jersey. In some instances, same day appointments are available upon request with evaluation and treatment reports available in 48 hours or less.

 

If you’ve been in a car accident in New Jersey and need treatment for a clavicle fracture, please call us at 866-609-4448 or fill out our contact form for a consultation.

Our New Jersey offices are located in Elmwood Park, NJ, Passaic, NJ,  Paterson NJ, New Brunswick, NJ, Irvington NJ, Union City, NJ, Parsippany, NJ, and Union, NJ.

SALLMYERS PRIVACY.png
New Treating Patient Form

This form is specifically monitored for new patient appointment requests.

For all other inquiries, please contact us directly at 973-279-2323.Thank you for your understanding.

Success! Message received.

New Patients & Motor Vehicle Accidents: 1-866-609-4448

  • Facebook App Icon
  • Twitter App Icon
  • LinkedIn Social Icon

Sall Myers Medical Associates maintains this website as a service to our customers and the internet community. This website has been designed to provide general information about Sall Myers Medical Associates, its services, and its locations. The pages within this site are not intended to provide medical advice, nor do they provide instruction on the appropriate use of products produced or supplied by our customers, their affiliates, related companies, or their licensors or joint venture partners. As such, Sall Myers Medical Associates in no way warrants either the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein, and they are not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained herein with other reliable sources.

© 2025 Sall • Myers Medical Associates. All Rights Reserved. Address: 611 River Drive, 4th floor, Elmwood Park, NJ 07407
 

bottom of page