Pain from the collarbone to the shoulder is a frequent complaint with diverse origins. This anatomical area encompasses the clavicle, or collarbone, the complex shoulder joint, and a network of surrounding muscles, ligaments, and nerves. The discomfort can range from a sudden, sharp sensation to a persistent, dull ache, significantly affecting daily activities and overall well-being. Understanding the causes is key to addressing the discomfort.
Acute Injuries
Sudden, traumatic events can lead to immediate and often severe pain in the collarbone and shoulder. A direct impact or forceful fall can result in a clavicle fracture (broken collarbone). This injury often occurs from a fall onto the shoulder or an outstretched arm, or a direct blow, causing localized pain, swelling, and sometimes a visible deformity or bump. Movement of the arm can worsen the pain, and individuals may experience a grinding sensation when attempting to lift the arm.
Beyond fractures, shoulder joint dislocations are another acute cause of intense pain. A glenohumeral joint dislocation occurs when the upper arm bone (humerus) separates from its socket in the shoulder blade. This often results from a significant force, such as a fall onto an outstretched arm or a direct blow to the shoulder, leading to severe pain, instability, and a visibly displaced or deformed shoulder. An acromioclavicular (AC) joint separation, sometimes called a shoulder separation, involves injury to the ligaments connecting the collarbone and shoulder blade. This injury typically results from a fall directly onto the point of the shoulder or a forceful impact in sports, causing immediate pain, tenderness, and sometimes a noticeable bump at the top of the shoulder.
Overuse and Degenerative Conditions
Pain in the collarbone and shoulder can also develop gradually due to repetitive motions, age-related wear and tear, or inflammation. Rotator cuff tendinopathy involves irritation or degeneration of the tendons of the four rotator cuff muscles: the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. This condition often stems from repetitive overhead activities or age-related changes, leading to pain in the outer upper arm and shoulder, which can worsen with arm movement, especially overhead reaching, or at night.
Subacromial bursitis is inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac located beneath the acromion and above the rotator cuff tendons. This bursa cushions and reduces friction during shoulder movement. When inflamed, often due to overuse, repetitive motion, or injury, it causes pain and swelling in the shoulder, limited range of motion, and tenderness, particularly with overhead activities or when sleeping on the affected side.
Arthritis, a degenerative joint condition, can affect either the main shoulder joint (glenohumeral joint) or the AC joint. Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage cushioning bone ends gradually breaks down, leading to increased friction, pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. If the glenohumeral joint is affected, pain is felt as a deep ache at the back of the shoulder, while AC joint arthritis causes pain focused on the top of the shoulder, sometimes radiating up the side of the neck.
Biceps tendinopathy, affecting the long head of the biceps tendon, contributes to anterior shoulder pain that may radiate down the front of the arm. This condition involves irritation or changes in tendon structure, often alongside other shoulder issues like rotator cuff problems. Repetitive overhead loading of the arm, common in certain sports or occupations, can overload the tendon, causing pain and dysfunction.
Nerve Compression Issues
Pain in the collarbone and shoulder area can sometimes originate from nerves that become compressed or irritated, leading to referred pain. Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) occurs when nerves or blood vessels in the space between the collarbone and the first rib become compressed. This compression can be caused by trauma, repetitive stress, or anatomical variations, resulting in symptoms such as pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in the shoulder, arm, and hand. TOS pain may also cause a throbbing sensation near the collarbone.
Cervical radiculopathy, often referred to as a pinched nerve in the neck, is another condition where pain from the neck radiates into the shoulder and arm. This happens when a nerve root in the cervical spine (neck) is compressed or irritated due to a herniated disc or degenerative changes like bone spurs. The pain is described as burning or sharp, originating in the neck but extending down to the shoulder, collarbone, and arm, and can be accompanied by tingling, numbness, or weakness in the affected limb. Neck movements, such as extending or turning the head, may intensify the pain.
Muscular and Postural Factors
Everyday activities, muscle imbalances, and habitual body mechanics can also contribute to pain from the collarbone to the shoulder. Muscle strains, affecting muscles like the trapezius, levator scapulae, or sternocleidomastoid, can cause localized pain and tightness extending into this region. Overuse or sudden movements can lead to these strains, resulting in discomfort and restricted movement.
Poor posture, especially prolonged slouching or rounded shoulders, places undue stress on the shoulder joints and surrounding musculature. This sustained tension can create muscle imbalances and chronic pain in the neck, upper back, and shoulder, often felt near the collarbone. When posture is compromised, the space available for tendons in the shoulder can narrow, leading to pinching and irritation.
Trigger points, which are tight, hypersensitive bands or knots within muscles, can refer pain to distant areas. These points in upper back and neck muscles can send pain signals to the shoulder and collarbone region, contributing to persistent and sometimes widespread discomfort. Addressing these muscular and postural imbalances is key to managing such pain.