The collarbone, also known as the clavicle, is a long thin bone which runs horizontally between the shoulder and neck. The hollow at the base of our throats is the gap between the two clavicle bones. Since these bones are very thin and close to the surface, they have an increased chance of breaking up. Clavicle fractures occur in the following ways:
- A direct hit to the collarbone from a car accident, or a combat sport like football or hockey
- A fall, either on an outstretched hand or directly onto the shoulder
The given people are at the highest risk of breaking their collarbone:
Children and teens: The age bracket having the highest risk is 10 to 19. Since the bones are still in a growing period, they are weak and susceptible to fractures.
Older adults: Since bone density decreases with growing age, even a low impact from a short height can cause a clavicle fracture.
Male athletes: A study tells that male athletes are thrice more likely to sustain a collarbone fracture in comparison to women.