Collarbone Surgery

While most collarbone injuries heal on their own, surgery may be needed in some cases to reset the alignment of a broken bone.

Symptoms

• The signs of a broken collarbone include swelling, bruising and stiffness. If you hear a cracking sound when moving your shoulder or feel a bulge near the shoulder area, this may indicate a broken collarbone. People under the age of 20 are at greater risk for collarbone injury because the collarbone is not yet fully hardened. Elderly people with decreased bone strength are also at risk.

Surgery

• If the collarbone has multiple breaks or if it is extremely displaced, surgery may be the only treatment option. If the bone has pierced through the skin, then it needs urgent attention. Surgery for a broken collarbone may include the use of screws, rods and plates to place the bone in the correct position so that it can heal properly.

Complications

• While complications are unlikely, all surgery carries some risk, and there is the chance that after collarbone surgery, an infection can set in or the bone may fail to heal.