Clavicle

The clavicle is located between the ribcage (sternum) and the shoulder blade (scapula), connecting the arm to the body. It is a long bone and most breaks occur in the middle of it. Following a clavicle fracture, you may experience the inability to lift the arm because of pain, a sagging shoulder (down and forward), a grinding sensation, a deformity or “bump” over the break, bruising, swelling, and/or tenderness over the collarbone. Depending on whether the bone ends of the break are aligned or have shifted out of place, your doctor may or may not recommend surgery.