Table of contents:
- Various causes of collarbone pain
- 1. Joint injury
- 2. Osteoarthritis
- 3. Thoratic outlet syndrome
- 1. Cracks and fractures
- 5. Distal clavicular osteolysis
- 6. Wrong sleeping position
- 7. Osteomyelitis
- 8. Cancer
The collarbone is the part of the bone that connects the sternum (sternum) to the shoulder (clavicle bone). Around the collarbone there are many nerves and blood vessels, therefore several health problems and injuries can damage the collarbone. A sore collarbone can indicate a serious health problem that requires immediate help.
Various causes of collarbone pain
1. Joint injury
One of the injuries that causes the collarbone to hurt is the tearing of the acromioclavicular (AC) joint, which is located at the top of the scapula (the bone that connects the upper arm to the collarbone). An AC joint tear signifies a tear of a ligament that helps stabilize itself and helps maintain bone.
This injury usually occurs when you fall hard enough or have been hit to the shoulder. A slight tear can cause pain, while in severe cases the collarbone may appear out of alignment. In addition, you can also see a bulge around the shoulder.
2. Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a joint calcification disease that makes it painful and stiff. This condition occurs when the protective tissue at the end of the bone is damaged. Usually joint calcification occurs with age. However, some cases of osteoarthritis are caused by injury.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis in the collarbone include:
- The pain in the collarbone increases every day.
- The joints are stiff and they also hurt.
3. Thoratic outlet syndrome
The third cause of collarbone pain is thoratic outlet syndrome. This condition causes the collarbone to shift from its normal position and presses on the blood vessels and nerves that are located between the bones and the highest ribs. Common causes of this one health problem include:
- Obesity.
- Injury.
- Bad posture.
- Weak shoulder muscles.
- Repetitive pressure is like lifting heavy objects over and over again.
- Birth defects.
The symptoms of thoratic outlet syndrome vary depending on which nerves or blood vessels hit the collarbone. Some of the symptoms include:
- Pain in the collarbone, shoulder, neck, or hand.
- Tingling or numbness in the arms and fingers.
- The ability of the hand to hold weakens.
- The arm feels painful and is also swollen which indicates a blood clot.
- A painful lump in the collarbone.
- Discoloration of the hand or finger.
1. Cracks and fractures
The collarbone is a part of the bone that is prone to fractures and even fractures. The location that connects the shoulder can cause the collarbone to crack or break easily when the shoulder is hit by a hard object and falls.
The pain in your collarbone will get worse when you try to get up and move your shoulder. Other symptoms when a broken or fractured collarbone includes:
- Painful and warm to the touch
- Swollen
- Bruising on the collarbone area
- Arms feel stiff
- The shape of the bones becomes bent
- There is a sensation of "crack" when touched
5. Distal clavicular osteolysis
This condition describes a minor fracture that occurs at the end of the collarbone or the part closest to the shoulder. Even though it's mild, if left untreated, the condition will get worse and cause pain and swelling. Various other symptoms that accompany this bone problem include:
- Pain and tenderness around the collarbone and shoulder.
- Pain in the body as a whole when moving the arms.
- Pain when lifting objects over the head.
- Swelling around the end of the shoulder.
6. Wrong sleeping position
The wrong sleeping position is one of the most common causes of collarbone pain in most people. This condition occurs when a person sleeps in the same position for a long time and puts excessive pressure on one side of the collarbone.
Apart from the collarbone, you will also feel pain in the neck and back. Usually the pain doesn't last long and will subside during the day. For that, try to change your sleeping position when you wake up to reduce the risk of collarbone pain.
7. Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is a bone infection that can make your collarbone ache. However, this condition is rare and rare. The causes of osteomyelitis are:
- Bacterial infections such as sepsis or pneumonia.
- Infections that occur due to a fractured collarbone piercing the skin.
- An infection that results from an open wound near the collarbone.
Apart from pain in the collarbone and its surroundings, other common symptoms include:
- Swelling and warmth in the infected area.
- Fever.
- Nausea.
- Pus discharge in the infected area.
8. Cancer
Cancer is one of the causes of pain in the collarbone. However, just like osteomyelitis, this case is rare.
If the cause of pain in the collarbone is cancer, this is a sign that the cancer cells have spread to the surrounding bones and lymph nodes. So this condition can cause pain and swelling in the top of the collarbone, under the arms, and also in the neck.
Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that can spread to the lymph nodes and bones. Apart from being sick, other accompanying symptoms include:
- Diarrhea.
- Fever.
- High blood pressure.
- Heartbeat faster than normal.
- Sweating even if not hot.
After knowing the various causes of collarbone pain, it's good not to underestimate this pain if you experience it. The sooner your doctor detects the cause, the better your chances are of preventing the disease from becoming serious.
