What could be causing your collarbone pain?

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Many injuries can damage the collarbone, and some require immediate attention. When should a person seek emergency treatment, and when will a routine trip to the doctor be enough? We address these questions and more.
The collarbone, also known as the clavicle, extends from the shoulder to the breastbone.

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Common causes of collarbone pain include:

fracture
thoracic outlet syndrome
joint injury
osteoarthritis
sleeping position
distal clavicular osteolysis
cancer
osteomyelitis
1. Fractures and breaks
The collarbone is among the most likely to fracture. Blunt force applied to an outstretched arm or shoulder can easily injure or break this bone.

The following activities often lead to broken or fractured collarbones:

birth
contact sports, such as football, martial arts, or basketball
car accidents
How can a person identify a broken collarbone?

Collarbone breaks and fractures usually occur with shoulder injuries caused by accidents.

Pain around the collarbone will start suddenly and often grow worse as a person tries to move their shoulder. They may also feel a grinding sensation or hear a clicking noise.

Other symptoms of a broken or fractured collarbone include:

tenderness
swelling
bruising around the area
a stiff arm
A caregiver or doctor may notice that a newborn is not moving one arm, possibly indicating a brake or fracture.

A broken collarbone is diagnosed following an X-ray and an examination, in which a doctor checks for bruising or swelling.

Treatment

Treatment will depend on the severity of the injury.

If the bone has remained in place, despite the break or fracture, a person will likely only need to wear a sling for a few days and rest the arm. In some cases, a doctor will recommend a brace instead.

More severe breaks may require surgery, in which a surgeon will insert pins, a rod, or a plate to keep the bone and fragments in place during healing.

What is a fracture?
What is a fracture?
Fracture is a common cause of clavicle pain and may affect any bone in the body. Learn more about fractures, including how to avoid them, here.
READ NOW

2. Thoracic outlet syndrome
This occurs when the collarbone shifts from its normal position and applies pressure to the blood vessels and nerves located between the bone and the highest rib.

Potential causes of thoracic outlet syndrome include:

obesity
injury
poor posture
weak shoulder muscles
repetitive lifting or strain
congenital disability
The following symptoms may indicate this syndrome:

weakness in the arm
a painful lump under the collarbone
pain and swelling or numbness in one arm
pain in the neck, collarbone, or shoulder
changes to the color of the hands or fingers
Physical therapy is a common treatment. It will likely focus on strengthening the muscles around the collarbone. However, surgery may be required in more severe cases.

3. Joint injury
Woman with injury to collarbone joint holding neck and shoulder while outside running.
An injury to the joint connecting the collarbone to the shoulder blade may cause pain and tenderness.
The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is located where the collarbone meets the top of the shoulder blade.

Separation of the joint is a common injury, sometimes caused by blunt force or a fall.

Injuring the AC joint can lead to pain, but it does not always accompany a break of the collarbone.

Symptoms include:

swelling
tenderness
pain
a collarbone that is out of place
a bulge above the shoulder
Depending on the severity of the injury, a doctor may recommend:

resting the shoulder and applying ice
using a brace to stabilize the joint
surgery

4. Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis happens when protective tissue at the end of a bone wears down.

This type of arthritis is often caused by normal wear and tear that accompanies ageing. In some cases it is brought on by injury.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis in the collarbone include:

pain in the area that gets worse very gradually
stiffness in the AC joint
pain in the AC joint
Treatments include:

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen
corticosteroid injections
changes to lifestyle, which may involve avoiding activities that irritate the joint
surgery (rarely)
5. Sleeping position
Sleeping in certain positions can cause pain in the neck, back, or collarbone. Sleeping on the same side for long periods may be especially problematic.

This pain typically eases during the day. Some may treat it with over-the-counter medications, and prevent it by changing positions during the night. New pillows or mattresses can also help with this type of pain.

6. Distal clavicular osteolysis
This is the term for small fractures developing on the end of the collarbone closest to the shoulder, known as the distal end. The condition is sometimes called weightlifter’s shoulder.

If a person does not allow these fractures to heal, they will grow worse and lead to pain and swelling.

Symptoms of distal clavicular osteolysis include:

general aches and pain in the area
pain when moving the arm across the body
pain when lifting objects above the head
Treatment usually involves resting and avoiding activities that aggravate the symptoms. Other treatments may include:

medications for pain and swelling
physiotherapy
steroid injections
surgery
7. Cancer
Doctor with a clipboard showing it to patient to discuss results.
It is rare for collarbone pain to be caused by cancer.
Cancer is not a common cause of collarbone pain.

If cancer is causing the pain, it may have spread from another part of the body. For example, lymph nodes that have developed cancer tend to cause pain in neighboring areas, such as the collarbone.

Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that often develops in bones and lymph nodes. It can affect young children as well as adults.

Symptoms include:

high blood pressure
fever
sweating
rapid heartbeat
diarrhea
When cancer spreads to the collarbone, surgery or radiation are common treatments. Recommended methods will depend on how advanced the cancer is when treatment starts.

8. Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis, a bone infection, is not very common.

The following symptoms may indicate osteomyelitis of the collarbone:

tenderness
swelling
nausea
fever
warmth around the site of infection
pus oozing from the skin
Below are common causes of osteomyelitis:

bacterial infections, such as sepsis or pneumonia
infection that occurs after a fractured collarbone punctures the skin
infection that spreads from a wound near the collarbone
Usually, a person with osteomyelitis is hospitalized and receives intravenous antibiotics.

A doctor will likely need to drain pus from the site of the infection and stabilize the bone.

After being released, the person may continue to take antibiotics orally for several weeks or months.

When to see a doctor
Following an injury to the collarbone, contact emergency services. Upon examination, a doctor will make a diagnosis and recommend treatment. Failing to get appropriate care can delay healing or cause an injury to heal incorrectly.

See a doctor if shoulder pain is unexplained or accompanied by other symptoms.

Takeaway
Most people can expect a full recovery from a broken or fractured collarbone, especially if the injury is treated early.

Other causes of collarbone pain are less common and may not need medical attention.

Consult a doctor if the cause of collarbone pain is unclear.

Naija247news
Naija247newshttps://www.naija247news.com/
Naija247news is an investigative news platform that tracks news on Nigerian Economy, Business, Politics, Financial and Africa and Global Economy.

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