Surgical procedures
Clavicle fracture fixation
Realigning a broken collarbone and securing it with a low-profile plate so it heals in the right position, restoring strength and the natural contour of the shoulder.
Fracture fixation
Outpatient
Restores alignment
What is clavicle fracture fixation?
The clavicle, or collarbone, connects the arm to the trunk and acts as a strut for the whole shoulder. When it breaks and the fragments shift significantly, healing in a shortened or angled position can affect shoulder strength and mechanics.
Surgical repair realigns the fragments and holds them with a thin plate and screws, allowing the bone to heal in its natural position while you begin moving the shoulder early.
What & why
Why it's recommended
A significantly displaced or shortened fracture
Fragments tenting or threatening the skin
Athletes and active patients who need reliable, predictable healing
A fracture that has failed to heal with nonsurgical care
At a glance
Not every fracture needs surgery
Many clavicle fractures heal well in a sling alone. Dr. Cohn recommends repair only when the fracture pattern makes a good result unlikely without it.
Anesthesia & hospital stay
The day of surgery
The procedure typically takes about an hour. You'll be fully asleep, often with a regional block for comfort afterward.
General anesthesia
Completely asleep, often with a regional arm block.
About 1 hour
A focused procedure on the collarbone, at the top of the shoulder.
Home same day
Clavicle fracture fixation is an outpatient procedure.
Outpatient setting
Performed at Summit Atlantic Surgery Center or Overlook.
Recovery timeline & milestones
What recovery looks like
The plate holds the bone steady from day one, so gentle motion starts early while the fracture heals underneath.
Protect
A sling for comfort while the incision heals; gentle pendulum motion begins.
Restore motion
Therapy progressively restores shoulder motion as the bone knits.
Strengthen
Strengthening begins once X-rays confirm healing is on track.
Return
A staged return to sport, lifting, and full activity.
Risks & benefits
Weighing the procedure
- Heals the bone in its natural length and alignment
- Allows earlier motion than a sling alone
- Restores the contour of the shoulder
- Predictable healing for active patients
- Numbness in a small patch below the incision
- Hardware prominence; plates can be removed later if bothersome
- Infection or delayed healing, uncommon
- Stiffness during recovery
Treats these conditions
This procedure treats displaced clavicle fractures.
FAQ
Common questions
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Some patients can feel the plate under the skin, since the clavicle sits close to the surface. If it becomes bothersome after the bone has fully healed, it can be removed in a short outpatient procedure.
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Most clavicle fractures are solidly healed by six to twelve weeks. The plate protects the repair while healing completes.
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Typically once you are out of the sling, off pain medication, and can control the wheel comfortably, often around two to four weeks.
Related conditions