Broken Collarbone

A broken collarbone is a fracture in one of your clavicles: the two slender bones that start from the top of your sternum and extend out to each shoulder blade. Your clavicle and shoulder blade meet to form one of your two shoulder joints. Trauma to your shoulder is an easy way to break your collarbone.

Types of clavicle fractures

Your healthcare provider might use various terms to describe your fracture. They might describe it as:

• Singular/comminuted. Your clavicle can crack in one place or in several places. If it’s broken in more than one place, it’s called a comminuted fracture.
• Displaced /nondisplaced. Broken collarbone pieces may still line up correctly. But if they move out of their original positions, it’s called a displaced fracture.

Your provider may also use a specific classification system (like Neer’s) to label your fracture as a certain type. These types describe the location of the fracture and whether other tissues are involved. Classification systems like these help your provider assess your injury and decide how best to treat it.

How common are clavicle fractures?

A fractured collarbone is a relatively common injury, accounting for 5% to 10% of all bone fractures. It’s twice as common in children — accounting for 10% to 15% — and is the most common fracture in childhood overall. It’s also the most common fracture that babies get during birth, affecting 1% to 2%.