What Causes Clavicle Pain

Ever had that annoying pain right across your collarbone, making everything from reaching for your coffee cup to putting on a jacket feel like a struggle? You’re not alone. Clavicle pain can creep in at the most inconvenient times, and when it does, it’s hard to ignore.

It can manifest as a sharp ache or a dull throb, making even the simplest tasks feel like you’re carrying a suitcase full of bricks. Your clavicle, or collarbone, might not get the attention that other parts of your body do, but when it starts acting up, it demands attention.

This small but mighty bone connects your arm to the rest of your body, and when it's not functional, your entire upper body can feel off balance. So, why does this happen? What causes clavicle pain, and more importantly, what can you do about it?

The Anatomy Of The Clavicle

The clavicle, or collarbone, is a long, slender bone that connects your arm to the rest of your body. Its main job is to act as a support structure, keeping everything in alignment while allowing your arms and shoulders to move freely.

It also helps absorb shock to protect your body from impacts, like when taking a fall or playing a sport. But because of its exposed position, it’s more prone to injuries than other bones, making it a common site for fractures, stress, and strain.

When your clavicle is out of sorts, it doesn’t just affect your arm movement. Since the clavicle is attached to important muscles and ligaments, issues here can ripple out and cause discomfort in your shoulders, neck, and chest. 

Common Causes of Clavicle Pain

The source of clavicle pain can, sometimes have an obvious answer—a sudden fall or awkward movement. Other times, the pain starts slowly and can be from a dramatic injury or more subtle wear and tear.

Your clavicle is a hardworking bone, and it takes a lot of hits throughout your day-to-day life. Between supporting your arm movements and absorbing impacts, it’s constantly working behind the scenes.

But just like any overworked part, things can start to break down or malfunction, and when they do, it’s important to know what’s going on. 

1. Injuries

One of the biggest reasons for clavicle pain is injury—plain and simple. You might have taken a nasty fall or had an awkward landing while playing sports.

These cause fractures or dislocations, which are common issues that can lead to immediate and intense pain. 

Fractures

Clavicle fractures are some of the most common injuries around this bone, often resulting from falls, sports, or accidents. Fractures usually happen in the middle of the clavicle and may leave you with a visible bump or even a “tenting” effect, where the bone pushes against the skin.

The pain from a fractured clavicle is typically intense, especially when moving your arm or shoulder. You may also notice bruising and swelling in the area. 

Dislocations

While dislocations are often associated with shoulders, they can also involve the clavicle, especially where it meets the sternum (breastbone) or shoulder blade. Dislocations occur when these joints are forced out of alignment, often due to a sudden impact or fall. 

With clavicle dislocations, the pain might feel deep and intense, especially when you try to move the shoulder. You may also notice swelling or an unusual shape in the affected area. 

Sprains and Ligament Damage

Sprains happen when the ligaments around the clavicle—essentially the bone’s support ropes—get overstretched or torn. This can happen in accidents, falls, or even from lifting something too heavy.

Ligament injuries may not be as obvious as fractures or dislocations, but they can still cause persistent pain and make your shoulder feel weak or unstable.

2. Overuse and Stress

Sometimes, it’s not about one big accident but rather a series of small, repetitive motions that add up over time. Activities like lifting, throwing, or even typing can cause strain on your clavicle and the surrounding muscles.

The constant wear and tear can leave your collarbone feeling sore and tired, even if you can’t pinpoint a specific moment when the pain began.

Less Obvious Reasons You Might Be Hurting

Sometimes, clavicle pain can come out of nowhere, making you wonder if you slept funny or tweaked something you didn’t even know you had. While obvious injuries are often the first thing people think of, there are plenty of sneaky causes for that pain across your collarbone. 

Pain isn’t always straightforward—it doesn’t always hit where the problem starts. Sometimes, it radiates from other parts of your body, or there’s an underlying condition you haven’t connected to your collarbone pain. 

1. Arthritis

While you might think of arthritis as something that sticks to your knees or fingers, it can actually affect the clavicle and surrounding, joints too. Arthritis in the sternoclavicular or acromioclavicular joints can cause inflammation and stiffness, making your clavicle feel achy and sore.

This is one of those slow-burning causes where you notice the pain more over time rather than from a specific event.

2. Nerve Pain

Sometimes, clavicle pain has nothing to do with the bone itself but rather the nerves that run through the area. Issues like a pinched nerve in your neck or shoulder can send sharp pain shooting through your clavicle, tricking you into thinking the problem is in your collarbone.

Nerve-related pain can be especially tricky because it often feels worse when you move, but rest doesn’t seem to make it go away either.

3. Bone Infections and Rare Causes

Bone infections aren’t often the first thing that comes to mind when dealing with clavicle pain, but they do happen. When bacteria or fungi find their way into the bone, they can trigger a condition called osteomyelitis.

Infections like these often travel through the bloodstream or enter the body through an open wound, making certain people more susceptible, especially if they have weakened immune systems. With an infection, the pain can be persistent and often accompanied by other symptoms, such as warmth, redness, or even fever.

When Should You Worry About Clavicle Pain?

Let’s be honest—aches and pains are a normal part of life, especially if you’re active or even just getting through a tough day at work. But when clavicle pain starts to become more than a temporary nuisance, it’s worth paying attention.

It can be hard to know when to brush it off and when to take it seriously, but your body usually gives you a few clear signs when something’s not right. If your collarbone pain seems to be overstaying its welcome, it might be time to dig a little deeper.

So, how do you know when it’s time to get a second opinion or take action?

Minor vs. Serious Pain

If your clavicle pain is mild, comes and goes, and seems to get better with rest, it’s probably nothing to worry about. However, if the pain is sharp, persistent, or gets worse over time, it could be a sign of something more serious, like a fracture or joint issue.

Any pain that limits your movement feels intense with pressure or is accompanied by swelling should be checked out sooner rather than later.

Other Symptoms That Shouldn't Be Ignored

Clavicle pain that comes with other symptoms like numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arm or hand could point to nerve involvement or a more complex issue. If you notice any of these along with your collarbone pain, it’s a good idea to consult a healthcare professional.

If you’ve recently had a fall or trauma to the area and your pain hasn’t improved, it’s better to err on the side of caution and get it looked at.

What You Can Do at Home For Relief?

When clavicle pain strikes, the good news is that you can often manage it at home with a few simple strategies. While resting might sound like common advice, how you rest and the things you do around it can make a big difference in speeding up your recovery and reducing pain.

If you're looking for ways to feel better without making an extra trip to the doctor, there are some tried-and-true methods you can try from the comfort of your own space.

1. Rest and Ice

The first step is to take it easy on your clavicle. Rest is key, but it doesn’t mean doing absolutely nothing. Avoid movements that aggravate the pain, and give your shoulder and arm time to recover.

Applying ice to the sore area for 15-20 minutes every few hours can also help reduce inflammation and numb the pain. You might feel like a human popsicle for a while, but your clavicle will thank you.

2. Stretches and Exercises

While rest is important, keeping your shoulder completely immobile for too long can stiffen things up. Gentle stretches and movements can actually help relieve some of the tension around your clavicle.

Focus on slow, controlled exercises that don’t strain your shoulder but keep it flexible. This can help you maintain your range of motion while your body heals.

What to Do When Home Remedies Aren’t Enough

Sometimes, no matter how many ice packs or gentle stretches you try, the pain just won’t quit. It can be frustrating when home remedies don’t seem to be doing the trick, especially when you're doing everything right.

But don’t worry—it’s not a sign of failure. Sometimes, your clavicle pain might need a bit more attention, and that’s when turning to a professional can make all the difference.

There’s nothing wrong with reaching out for help when the pain refuses to back down. If your clavicle pain has persisted or worsened despite your best efforts, it’s a signal that something else might be going on under the surface.

Maybe it’s a deeper injury, or perhaps there’s an issue that can’t be resolved with at-home care alone.

1. Medical Treatments

When home remedies aren’t cutting it, a visit to your doctor can offer more specialized solutions. Depending on the cause of your clavicle pain, they might recommend physical therapy to strengthen and stabilize the area.

For more severe issues, such as a fracture or dislocation, treatments can range from bracing or slings to surgical intervention in extreme cases. The goal here is to provide relief and correct any underlying problems that at-home care just can’t fix.

2. Injections, Medications, and Other Options

In some cases, your doctor might suggest injections to help reduce inflammation and manage pain. Corticosteroid injections can offer quick relief, particularly if arthritis or another inflammatory condition is contributing to your discomfort.

Pain medications, both over-the-counter and prescription, can also play a role in managing the symptoms while you focus on healing. Whatever the case, your doctor will help tailor a plan that addresses your specific needs and helps you get back to feeling better.

Preventing and Managing Pain from Sports Injuries

Pain is a signal that something needs attention, be it an injury, overuse, or something less obvious. You can prevent your pain from disrupting your everyday life by understanding the root cause and giving yourself the right care.

One thing to keep in mind is how closely your clavicle pain can tie into sports injuries or other physical activities. Just like with any part of your body, preventing and managing pain from sports injuries goes hand in hand with maintaining a healthy clavicle.

When you’re active, especially in sports that involve your shoulders and arms, the risk of overuse or sudden injury increases. Strengthening the muscles around your clavicle and paying attention to proper form during physical activities can go a long way in keeping that pain at bay.

And if you do push things too far, knowing how to manage the aftermath with the right mix of rest, treatment, and care becomes essential.