One minute you’re enjoying a casual bike ride, a friendly game of pickup basketball, or simply slipping your backpack over your shoulder—and the next, there’s a sharp pain shooting across the top of your chest. You try to lift your arm, but your body immediately says, “Nope. Absolutely not.” Is your collarbone… broken? And, if so, what should you do now?
What Is a Broken Collarbone?
The collarbone—also known as the clavicle—is the long, slender bone connecting your breastbone to your shoulder. Because it sits right near the surface and helps support arm movement, it’s one of the most commonly broken bones in the body.
A broken collarbone (also known as a clavicle fracture) can range from a small crack to an obvious, out-of-place break.
Common Causes of a Broken Collarbone
Collarbone fractures usually happen from:
- Falls, especially onto an outstretched arm.
- Sports injuries from football, soccer, biking, skiing, or skateboarding.
- Direct impact, such as during a collision or accident.
- Birth injuries in newborns.
Because so many everyday activities involve your arms and shoulders, the collarbone takes a surprising amount of stress.
Symptoms of a Broken Collarbone
Signs that your collarbone might be fractured include:
Sharp pain at the top of the shoulder or across the collarbone.
- Difficulty lifting the arm or moving the shoulder.
- Swelling, tenderness, or bruising.
- A bump or deformity along the bone.
- Grinding or clicking with shoulder movement.
- Pain that worsens with deep breaths.
If you experience any of these symptoms following a fall or impact, you should have the injury checked as soon as possible.
Should I Go to Urgent Care for a Broken Collarbone?
The big question: does a suspected fracture warrant urgent care? In many cases—yes. Urgent care is often a great place to start for collarbone injuries.
Visit your local urgent care if:
- You suspect a fracture, but the bone is not protruding through the skin.
- Shoulder pain is significant.
- Motion is limited.
- You notice a visible bump or swelling over the collarbone.
- You need an X-ray to confirm what happened.
- You need pain relief or stabilization.
At FirstCall Medical Center, you can get quick answers without the long wait of an ER (unless it’s a severe case).
When You Should Head to the ER Instead
Head to the emergency room if:
- The bone breaks through the skin (this is called an open fracture).
- You have numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arm or fingers.
- The arm appears cold, pale, or bluish, indicating poor circulation.
- You have difficulty breathing or notice severe chest pain.
- The injury happened during a major accident or is accompanied by other trauma.
These signs may indicate a more serious injury requiring emergency-level care.
How FirstCall Medical Center Can Help
At FirstCall Medical Center, our urgent care providers are experienced in diagnosing and stabilizing collarbone fractures. We offer:
- On-site X-rays to confirm the break.
- Immobilization devices, such as slings or figure-eight braces.
- Pain management to help you feel more comfortable.
- Guidance on healing, rest, and activity restrictions.
- Referrals to orthopedic specialists for follow-up care.
Most collarbone fractures heal well with proper support and time. We’ll help you get started on the right path.
Collarbone fractures can be painful, limiting, and alarming—but they’re also very treatable. If you’re dealing with shoulder pain after a fall or impact, don’t wait, worry, or—worse—guess. Drop by FirstCall Medical Center for fast evaluation, accurate diagnosis, and supportive care.
