The Collarbone and Why It Breaks So Easily
The collarbone (clavicle) is one of the most commonly broken bones in the human body. It connects your shoulder to your breastbone and sits just under the skin with little muscle or fat to protect it. That exposed position makes it vulnerable in almost any type of accident.
A direct blow to the shoulder, a fall on an outstretched hand, or a sudden force through the arm can snap the clavicle. In Chicago, collarbone fractures happen in car accidents, motorcycle crashes, bicycle accidents, pedestrian collisions, slip and fall incidents, and construction site accidents.
While a broken collarbone may sound like a minor injury, it can have major consequences. Recovery takes weeks to months. Some fractures require surgery. Complications can lead to permanent pain, weakness, and limited shoulder function.
How Accidents Cause Collarbone Fractures
Car and Truck Accidents
In a car crash, the seatbelt crosses directly over the clavicle. During a sudden stop or collision, the seatbelt locks and transfers enormous force to the collarbone. The bone may fracture at the point of seatbelt contact.
Side-impact collisions are especially dangerous for the collarbone. The door pushes into the shoulder, compressing the clavicle between the impact and the body. Drivers and passengers on the side of impact are most vulnerable.
Motorcycle and Bicycle Accidents
Collarbone fractures are one of the most common injuries in motorcycle and bicycle crashes. When a rider goes over the handlebars or is thrown from the bike, the shoulder usually hits the ground first. The force drives through the collarbone, snapping it.
Cyclists struck by cars in Chicago intersections frequently suffer collarbone fractures along with road rash, head injuries, and other broken bones.
Pedestrian Accidents
A pedestrian struck by a vehicle may be thrown onto the hood, the windshield, or the pavement. Landing on the shoulder can fracture the collarbone. The impact speed does not have to be high. Even a vehicle traveling 20 mph generates enough force to break a clavicle.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Falling on an icy Chicago sidewalk, a wet floor in a store, or an uneven surface can result in a collarbone fracture. When you fall sideways or forward, instinct drives you to catch yourself with your arm. That force transmits up through the arm and shoulder, breaking the clavicle.
Construction Accidents
Construction workers face elevated risks of collarbone fractures from falls, falling objects, and equipment accidents. A fall from scaffolding or a ladder can easily break the clavicle on impact. Falling debris that strikes the shoulder can have the same result.
Types of Collarbone Fractures
The clavicle is typically divided into three sections. The location and pattern of the fracture affects treatment and recovery.
Midshaft Fractures
About 80% of collarbone fractures occur in the middle third of the bone. This is the thinnest part of the clavicle and the most common break point. Midshaft fractures can range from simple cracks to complete breaks where the bone ends overlap or separate.
Distal (Lateral) Fractures
These fractures occur near the shoulder end of the collarbone, close to the acromioclavicular (AC) joint. Distal fractures are more complex because they often involve ligament damage. They have a higher rate of nonunion (failure to heal) and frequently require surgery.
Medial Fractures
Fractures near the breastbone end are the least common. They usually result from high-energy impacts like car crashes. Because of their location near the chest, medial fractures carry a risk of injury to underlying blood vessels and the trachea.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
A broken collarbone usually causes immediate symptoms:
- Sharp pain in the shoulder or upper chest area
- Swelling and tenderness over the fracture
- A visible bump or deformity under the skin
- Inability to raise the arm without pain
- A grinding or clicking feeling when you try to move the shoulder
- Bruising around the shoulder and upper chest
- Sagging of the shoulder downward and forward
Diagnosis is usually straightforward. An X-ray confirms the fracture in most cases. CT scans may be needed for complex fractures or to evaluate associated injuries.
Treatment Options
Non-Surgical Treatment
Many collarbone fractures can heal without surgery. Treatment typically involves:
- A sling to immobilize the arm and support the shoulder
- Pain medication
- Ice to reduce swelling
- Gradual physical therapy starting after initial healing
Most non-surgical collarbone fractures heal in six to twelve weeks. During that time, you cannot use the arm for most activities. Driving, lifting, and reaching overhead are all restricted.
Surgical Treatment
Surgery is recommended when:
- The bone ends are significantly displaced or overlapping
- The fracture is open (bone pierces the skin)
- The fracture involves shortened bone length
- Nerves or blood vessels are compromised
- The fracture is near the shoulder (distal) with ligament involvement
- The patient needs to return to activity quickly (athletes, manual laborers)
The most common surgery is open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). The surgeon makes an incision over the fracture, realigns the bone, and secures it with a metal plate and screws. The plate usually stays permanently, though some patients choose to have it removed later.
Another option is intramedullary fixation, where a pin or nail is inserted through the inside of the bone. This approach uses a smaller incision but may not be suitable for all fracture types.
Recovery and Complications
Recovery from a collarbone fracture takes time and patience.
After surgery, most patients wear a sling for two to four weeks. Physical therapy begins early to prevent shoulder stiffness. Full recovery and return to normal activity takes three to six months.
Possible complications include:
- Nonunion: The fracture fails to heal. This is more common in displaced fractures and distal fractures. A nonunion may require additional surgery with bone grafting.
- Malunion: The bone heals in a shortened or crooked position. This can cause shoulder weakness, cosmetic deformity, and chronic pain.
- Nerve and vascular damage: The brachial plexus (a network of nerves) and subclavian artery pass behind the clavicle. Fractures can damage these structures, causing numbness, weakness, or impaired blood flow to the arm.
- Hardware problems: Plates and screws can irritate surrounding tissue, causing pain and discomfort. Some patients need a second surgery to remove the hardware.
- Thoracic outlet syndrome: A malunion or excess callus formation can compress the nerves and blood vessels at the thoracic outlet, causing pain, numbness, and weakness in the arm.
- Shoulder arthritis: Fractures near the AC joint can lead to early arthritis in the shoulder.
Financial Impact of a Collarbone Fracture
The costs associated with a collarbone fracture add up quickly.
Non-surgical treatment including the emergency room visit, X-rays, sling, medications, and follow-up appointments can cost $5,000 to $10,000. Surgical treatment with ORIF typically costs $15,000 to $40,000 or more, depending on the complexity and facility.
Physical therapy adds another $2,000 to $5,000 over several months. If complications require additional surgery, costs can double.
Lost wages are significant too. If you cannot use one arm for six to twelve weeks, most jobs are impossible or severely limited. Manual laborers, tradespeople, and anyone who works with their hands face the longest time away from work.
Your Right to Compensation Under Illinois Law
If someone else’s negligence caused the accident that broke your collarbone, Illinois law entitles you to compensation.
Recoverable damages include:
- Medical expenses (emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, future care)
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement (surgical scars, visible deformity)
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Illinois has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. You must file your lawsuit within two years of the accident date or you lose the right to seek compensation in court.
Under Illinois comparative negligence law, you can recover damages as long as you are not more than 50% responsible for the accident. Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Why You Need an Attorney for a Collarbone Fracture Claim
Insurance companies often undervalue collarbone fractures. They may offer a quick settlement that covers your emergency room bill but ignores the months of recovery, physical therapy, lost wages, and long-term complications ahead.
A knowledgeable injury attorney will:
- Calculate the full value of your claim, including future costs
- Gather medical records and expert opinions
- Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf
- File a lawsuit and take the case to trial if necessary
Contact Phillips Law Offices
A collarbone fracture may not seem as dramatic as some other accident injuries, but the pain, costs, and disruption to your life are very real. If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you have every right to pursue fair compensation.
Call Phillips Law Offices at (312) 346-4262 or contact us online for a free consultation. We represent accident victims with collarbone fractures throughout Chicago and Illinois.