Treatment for a swollen clavicle depends largely on the type of injury sustained, but most swelling cab be resolved by placing an ice pack on the clavicle for several hours. Clavicle swelling might arise from various ailments, such as a fractured collarbone, cancer in the bone or in the lymph nodes above the clavicle, tuberculosis or arthritis. The most common cause of a swollen clavicle is a small breakage of the bone, which necessitates an arm sling and extended rest until the swelling is relieved and the fracture heals. Bacterial infections such as tuberculosis require antibiotics. Treatments for cancer and arthritis depend on the cause and severity of the disease.
A fractured bone is a very common clavicle injury. The clavicle is a narrow, thin bone protruding from the top of the chest between the shoulder and the neck. A patient might fall, striking the bone, or the clavicle might be struck by an object, such as a baseball. During birth, the baby's clavicle might break during its passage through the narrow birth canal. With such a clavicle injury, the baby experiences shoulder pain, and the swollen collarbone might be discolored.
The first measure of treatment for a fractured, swollen clavicle is to reduce swelling. Apply an ice pack to the clavicle area until a physician can view the area via X-ray. Surgery is rare; most fractures are treated with a "figure 8" arm sling that wraps around the shoulders. Ibuprofen or some other non-inflammatory analgesic reduces swelling and relieves pain. The swelling should resolve within 24 hours, but it might take as long as 12 weeks for the fracture to heal completely.
A swollen clavicle that was not caused by a fracture might belie a more serious problem, especially if the swelling is sustained or chronic. Enlarged lymph nodes directly above the swollen collarbone might indicate cancer or tuberculosis. Lymph nodes are part of the immune system, and they enlarge to produce more white blood cells when the body detects an infection. Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease that inflicts the lungs but might settle in the bone. The disease is treated with antibiotics and bed rest.
On rare occasions, a swollen clavicle might be caused by cancer. X-rays detect the presence of a tumor, and a biopsy helps determine the form of treatment. In the early stages, the tumor might be surgically removed. Advanced stages of cancer might require surgery and chemotherapy. Swelling and discomfort caused by arthritis are relieved by an ice pack and pain medication.