What To Know and Do About Collarbone Pain
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Medically reviewed by Forest Miller, OTR/LMedically reviewed by Forest Miller, OTR/L
The collarbone, or clavicle, is a long, S-shaped bone between your sternum (breastbone) and scapula (shoulder blade). You have two collarbones—one on each side of the front of your chest—that connect your arms to your body.
Pain in this bone can be very uncomfortable. Sometimes, minor issues like sleeping awkwardly can cause collarbone pain. In other cases, pain can occur due to injury, infection, or an underlying health condition like arthritis.
Depending on the cause, collarbone pain may be dull, sharp, aching, or throbbing. It may also come and go or be persistent, limiting your ability to perform everyday activities like getting dressed or carrying groceries.
While collarbone pain isn’t always cause for concern, it’s a good idea to see a healthcare provider when it is severe, does not improve within a few days, or interferes with your daily life.
Potential Causes of Collarbone Pain
Collarbone pain has many possible causes, ranging from minor issues to serious concerns. Understanding what can cause collarbone pain is the first step in seeking a diagnosis and finding an effective treatment option.
Collarbone Fracture
A fracture (broken bone) is the leading cause of collarbone pain, accounting for 5% of all adult bone fractures. Most collarbone fractures happen from a direct blow to the arm or shoulder, such as falling onto your shoulder, impact from a car accident, or when playing contact sports.
A collarbone fracture typically causes severe, sharp pain that worsens with movement. You may have a bump or deformity over your collarbone and notice swelling, bruising, or tenderness over the bone. With a collarbone fracture, your shoulder may sag downward, making lifting your arm difficult or impossible.
Acromioclavicular Joint (Shoulder) Separation
The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is where the collarbone meets the topmost part of the shoulder blade (known as the acromion). Ligaments (strong bands of connective tissues) hold these bones together, forming the AC joint.
An AC joint separation occurs when the ligaments holding these joints together tear—usually from falling directly onto your shoulder or an outstretched arm—causing the collarbone and shoulder blade to separate.
With an AC joint separation, you may have a visible bump near your shoulder, swelling, and bruising. Collarbone pain with an AC joint separation may radiate to your shoulder and neck, causing difficulty moving your arm or sleeping on the affected side.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative form of arthritis that develops when the cartilage that cushions the joints and prevents the bones from rubbing together wears down over time. Collarbone pain extending to the top of the shoulder and radiating up the neck is common with osteoarthritis.
At the onset of OA, you may experience mild aching pain and stiffness that worsens with activity. As the joint cartilage continues to wear away, the pain can worsen. As such, you may have trouble sleeping or difficulty moving your arm for activities like reaching for items on a shelf or brushing your hair.
The risk of osteoarthritis increases with age, and an estimated 1 in 3 adults ages 60 and older develop OA in their shoulders.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) causes compression of the nerves and blood vessels that pass through the thoracic outlet—the space between your collarbone and first rib. This compression of the nerves can cause aching pain in the collarbone area that extends to the neck, shoulder, arm, and hand. Some people also experience numbness or tingling in the forearm and hand.
This pain occurs because when your blood vessels become compressed, they reduce blood flow to your arm, leading to aching, weakness, and swelling of the affected arm and hand. TOS can also limit your arm’s range of motion and make activities that involve reaching overhead difficult.
TOS is most common in people assigned female at birth, and symptoms typically develop between ages 20 and 50. Physical injuries, anatomical differences (e.g., abnormally shaped first rib), poor posture, and repetitive arm and shoulder movements can contribute to the development of TOS.
Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is a bacterial infection in your bones that can develop after a traumatic injury (e.g., open wound), surgery, or when bacteria from an infection in another body part travel through the bloodstream and reach the bone.
When osteomyelitis affects the collarbone, you may feel a deep, aching pain in the bone, chills, fever, and excessive sweating. Your collarbone may also feel tender and swollen, which can limit your range of motion in your arm and cause worsening pain during certain movements.
Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
Rotator cuff tendonitis causes inflammation and irritation in the tendons that attach muscles to the shoulder. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons below your collarbone. This condition can cause pain and stiffness that radiates from the front of your shoulder and collarbone down the side of your arm.
Rotator pain can worsen over time, leading to weakness in your shoulder and arm. This can make activities like zipping or buttoning clothing difficult. You may also have difficulty with reaching or lifting movements.
Athletes who use their arms for overhead motions like tennis, baseball, and swimming are at a higher risk of developing rotator cuff tendonitis. This condition is also common in people with jobs requiring repetitive lifting motions, such as construction.
Less Common Causes
Although less common than other causes of collarbone pain, the following conditions can also contribute to discomfort:
Cancer: Though rare, collarbone pain can be a sign of a tumor in the bone itself or when cancer cells break away from a tumor in another part of the body and travel to the lymph nodes near the collarbone.
Sternoclavicular joint dislocation: Dislocation of the joint connecting the collarbone to the sternum (breastbone) can cause collarbone pain, swelling, and bruising.
Condensing osteitis of the clavicle: This rare, benign (noncancerous) disorder can cause pain and swelling on the collarbone. The cause is unknown but may develop in response to repetitive motions (e.g., heavy lifting).
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Pain in your collarbone is not always a sign of something serious. However, this pain can sometimes be a sign of a fracture, joint separation, or an underlying condition that requires diagnosis and treatment. See a healthcare provider for collarbone pain when:
It develops after a fall or accident
You have difficulty moving your arm or shoulder
The pain is severe or worsening despite home treatments (e.g., ice therapy)
Your collarbone or the surrounding area is swollen, bruised, or tender to touch
You have symptoms of an infection, such as fever, chills, and swelling on or around the collarbone
Pain occurs with numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in your arm or hand
Diagnosis
If you seek care for your collarbone pain, your healthcare provider will want to learn more about your symptoms and medical history. You can expect your provider to ask questions such as:
When did you first notice your collarbone pain?
What does the pain feel like?
Did you have a recent injury or accident?
Are there any activities that worsen the pain?
Have you tried any home remedies to alleviate symptoms?
Your provider will also perform a physical exam to examine your collarbone, shoulder, and chest for signs of inflammation or injury—such as redness, swelling, bruising, or a visible bump or deformity. They may gently palpate (press on) your collarbone to check for tenderness and ask you to move your arm or shoulder in specific ways to test your range of motion.
Your provider may also order other diagnostic tests to learn the underlying cause of your symptoms. These might include:
Imaging scans: Examine bones, ligaments, joints, and soft tissues for fractures, joint dislocations, nerve compression, and tendonitis
Nerve conduction study: Measures how quickly electrical signals move along the nerves to check for nerve compression or damage
Blood tests: Look for markers of inflammation or infection to diagnose conditions like arthritis or osteomyelitis (bone infection)
How To Treat Collarbone Pain
If you require treatment for your pain, your treatment plan will depend on the underlying cause of your symptoms. In most cases, your healthcare provider will recommend a combination of home remedies and medical treatments for pain relief.
Home Remedies
Self-care methods may improve collarbone pain related to injuries. At-home treatments include:
Rest: Limit or avoid activities involving moving your arm or shoulder to reduce inflammation and pain
Ice therapy: Apply ice packs to your collarbone for 15 minutes at a time, up to four times daily, to reduce swelling and pain
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications: Try OTC medicines like Advil (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen) for temporary pain relief
Medical Treatments
Some causes of collarbone pain require medical treatments or therapies. These treatments will depend on the cause of your pain, but may include:
Prescription medication: Prescription-strength nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids can reduce inflammation and pain related to collarbone injuries or arthritis. Antibiotics treat bone infections.
Immobilization: Collarbone fractures or joint separations may require immobilization to prevent your arm or shoulder from moving and promote healing. This may involve wearing a sling or brace while you heal.
Physical therapy (PT): For collarbone injuries, a physical therapist will develop a treatment program that includes exercises to improve strength, range of motion, and flexibility in the collarbone, arm, and shoulder.
Surgery: Collarbone fractures, nerve compression, thoracic outlet syndrome, and joint separations may require surgery when other treatments are ineffective or your collarbone injury is severe. Surgery can help prevent complications, promote healing, and help restore the function of your arm and shoulder.
A Quick Review
Injury to the collarbone or surrounding structures is the most common cause of collarbone pain. However, collarbone pain can be a sign of an underlying condition, such as arthritis or a bone infection.
While some minor collarbone injuries may heal with at-home treatments and rest, it’s best to see a healthcare provider to determine what’s causing your pain. Treatments may include medications, physical therapy, or surgery, depending on the cause and severity of your collarbone pain.
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