Video transcript

Let’s go over your injury and what to expect as you recover.

You’ve broken your clavicle – also known as the collarbone. This bone runs across the top of your chest, connecting the breastbone in the middle to the shoulder blade on the side. In your case, the break is at the outer end of the bone, near the shoulder – this is called a lateral clavicle fracture.

Most fractures in this area are stable and heal well without surgery. Even if the bone looks slightly out of line or angled, the shoulder usually regains full strength and movement – especially if you engage actively in the rehab process.

Once the injury is confirmed, we usually manage it without an operation. You’ll be given a broad arm sling to support your arm and reduce pain while the bone begins to heal.

For the first three weeks, you should wear the sling as much as possible – including while sleeping. Take it off only for essential things like washing and dressing. Avoid leaning directly on the injured side or resting it on armrests.

After a few weeks of rest, we’ll refer you to physiotherapy. You’ll be guided through gentle exercises that use your body’s own weight or your other hand to help move the shoulder and elbow. Starting light movement early helps prevent stiffness and maintains your range of motion.

We’ll see you in the fracture clinic about one to two weeks after the injury. At that appointment, an orthopaedic surgeon will review your symptoms and your scans. In most cases, no surgery is needed – but if it looks like you might benefit from an operation, we’ll talk that through with you and may refer you to a shoulder specialist for another opinion.

Surgery is more commonly considered in young and active patients, especially where the fracture is very out of place or involves nearby ligaments that help keep the shoulder stable.

In the first few days after injury, it’s normal to have pain, swelling, and bruising around the shoulder or upper chest. Some people get bruising that spreads down the arm or chest wall – this can look dramatic, but it’s not harmful and settles with time.

The main risks with this type of fracture are slow healing or incomplete healing – what we call delayed union or non-union. That’s why we usually bring you back to clinic around six to eight weeks after the injury, to make sure the bone is healing well. Even in cases where healing is slow, most people still have a good outcome with a strong and functional shoulder.

Because the clavicle lies just under the skin, it’s common to feel or see a lump at the site as it heals. This often shrinks over several months, but a small bump may remain long-term. It rarely causes any problems with movement or function.

In the first week or two, the sling is usually helpful and comfortable. After three weeks, you can gradually start taking it off – first during rest periods at home, and then more regularly as you get back to normal use of your arm. Basic tasks like dressing, eating, or writing can usually start earlier, depending on your pain levels.

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You’ll be seen again in clinic around six weeks after the injury to check that things are healing well. We’ll likely take another X-ray to confirm the bone has united. Once healing is confirmed, light daily activities can resume, and most people return to full normal use by six to eight weeks.

Heavy lifting, sports, or more intense activities can usually begin again from ten to twelve weeks, as long as the bone has healed and symptoms have resolved.

Formal physiotherapy isn’t always necessary. But if you’re still stiff or weak as you recover, we may refer you for further support. The good news is that most people make a full recovery and return to their usual activities without any long-term problems.