Broken Collarbone Symptoms

• A broken collarbone most often causes immediate pain in the area of the break.

• Some people report hearing a snapping sound.

• Most people tend to hold their arm close to their body and support it with their other hand. Despite the pain, some people, particularly younger athletes, can have a surprising range of motion of their arms following a broken collarbone.

• The shoulder of the affected side is usually slumped downward and forward due to gravity.

• If the clavicle is gently touched along its length, pain is usually greatest at one point, locating the break. Often a crunching feeling is noted over the break, known as crepitus.

• The skin over the break often bulges outward and can be discolored a reddish-purple, indicating an early bruise.