First Aid & Emergencies

Broken Collarbone Treatment

• The person is experiencing tingling.
• There is numbness or weakness in the hand or arm.
• The injury is near the sternum and the person is having shortness of breath or difficulty swallowing.

1. Get Medical Help Immediately

• Get the person to a hospital emergency room or to a health care provider.

2. Immobilize the Arm

• Avoid moving the affected arm.

• Hold the arm close to the body with the other arm or a sling with the hand raised higher than the elbow.

3. Reduce Pain and Swelling

• Apply ice for pain and swelling.

• Give over-the-counter acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for pain unless there is a break in the skin over the fracture, which may require surgery.

4. Follow Up

• The health care provider will examine the shoulder and may X-ray the shoulder and chest.

• The health care provider may put the arm in a sling to immobilize it and apply a figure eight strap to help maintain shoulder position. Surgery is rarely required.