Clavicle Fractures
A break in the collarbone, one of the most common shoulder injuries, usually caused by a fall onto the shoulder or an outstretched arm.
About this condition
The clavicle, or collarbone, links the arm to the body and is one of the most frequently broken bones. Most fractures happen after a fall onto the shoulder, a sports collision, or a car accident. The break can be a clean split or involve several fragments, sometimes shifting out of alignment.
Dr. Sonntag treats the majority of collarbone fractures without surgery, using a sling and a structured healing plan while the bone knits back together. When a fracture is significantly displaced, shortened, or broken into several pieces, he discusses surgical fixation to help the bone heal in proper alignment.
Common symptoms
- Pain over the collarbone
- Swelling and bruising
- A bump or deformity at the break
- A grinding sensation with movement
- Difficulty lifting the arm
- Sagging or slumping of the shoulder
Common causes
- A fall onto the shoulder
- A fall onto an outstretched arm
- Contact and collision sports
- Motor vehicle or cycling accidents
- Direct impact to the collarbone
How Dr. Sonntag treats this
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Learn moreCare with Dr. Jeffrey R. Sonntag
Dr. Jeffrey R. Sonntag, DO is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with fellowship training in shoulder and elbow surgery, practicing at OSMC in Granger, IN, Elkhart, IN, Middlebury, IN.
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