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Pain in the clavicle
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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[What causes pain in the collarbone?
Fracture of clavicle
One of the most common causes of pain in the collarbone may be a fracture. Of all the different types of bone fractures, clavicle fractures account for almost 5%. There are many causes of injuries and fractures of the clavicle. It can be a hit or a fall. A fall on the shoulder can also lead to a fracture of the clavicle. In addition, a direct stroke or injury to the clavicle can also lead to fracture of the clavicle, thereby causing pain in the area of the clavicle and around it.
Other causes of pain in the clavicle
Damage to the acromioclavicular joint, which leads to a discrepancy between the shoulder joint and clavicle, can also cause pain. Osteolysis of the clavicle is a condition where the bone is broken due to the increased activity of osteoclasts. Trauma to the chest and ribs can also cause pain in the collarbone. Some bone diseases or bursitis can also lead to pain in the area of the clavicle. Other rare causes include degeneration of the clavicle.
What is a clavicle?
Clavicle (from Latin "clavicle" is translated as "key"). It is a horizontally located bone in the upper chest. This bone forms a unique connection between the upper limb and the thorax. He carries the weight of the upper limb (or any weight that our hands carry) to the central part of the body. Consequently, any damage to the clavicle significantly reduces the throughput of the hands and makes them virtually useless to humans.
The clavicle attaches to the sternum (sternum) and scapula. It provides stability and support of joints. Throughout the entire length this bone can be easily probed on the upper part of the chest. The clavicle holds the scapula in a stable position, allowing the arms to move freely.
Symptoms that can accompany pain in the collarbone
Pain in the collarbone is felt with active movements of the upper limb. To this, acute pain may join.
One of the most common symptoms accompanying pain is swelling in the collarbone. The tumor can be very localized or given to the neck and shoulder region.
As soon as the swelling subsides, the destruction of the clavicle can be felt right through the skin. A person may suffer from reflected pain in the clavicle area, including muscle pain. There may be other systemic symptoms, such as nausea, dizziness, visual impairment due to pain, etc.
How is the pain in the collarbone treated?
Treatment will depend on the cause of pain in the collarbone. If the pain is associated with a clavicle fracture, the treatment will include resting the affected limb and supporting the arm using the sling.
Using slings along with painkillers helps the bones acquire the ability to self-repair. However, in about 5-10% of cases, the methods of surgery are used. There is a need for surgical intervention in those cases where there is grinding of bone with separation, penetration of parts of the bone through the skin, shortening of the clavicle, separation of fragments of bones, even after several months, etc. The surgical procedure entails fixation by fixing the plate. In this procedure, the titanium or steel plate fixes the bone with screws.
There are, however, many shortcomings in the surgical treatment of clavicle fractures, such as infection, adverse neurological symptoms, separation of bone fragments, etc. The healing of the postoperative sites will depend on many factors, such as the age of the patient, his health, the complexity and the place of the rupture, the ability of the bone to move, etc. Adults may take 20-30 days to recover from this condition. However, children and young people can recover within 15 days. In cases where the pain is associated with some other cause, the treatment will change accordingly.
The destruction and damage of the clavicle is mainly observed in people who are actively involved in sports. Therefore, in such cases it is best to wear protective clothing to prevent the destruction and damage of the clavicle, as well as pain in the collarbone.