Pain in the clavicle on the left, right. Causes in women, men, treatment

Clavicle pain can occur on the left or right, depending on the cause provoking the symptom. The condition may be accompanied by concomitant disorders of the internal organs or other parts of the musculoskeletal system. To eliminate pain, it is necessary to undergo an examination to identify the cause and severity of the disorder.

How to understand that the collarbone hurts

Discomfort in the clavicle is not always associated with damage to the bone. Often the pain is localized in the shoulder area, but is not associated with the clavicle and closely spaced tissues. A feature of pain associated with damage to the clavicle is considered to be an aggravation of symptoms when raising a limb while bending it at the elbow joint.

Experts also pay attention that the presence of external manifestations in the bone area, that is, abrasions, hematomas, indicates a lesion of the clavicle. However, to understand that it is the clavicular bone that is affected, a comprehensive examination and examination by a doctor helps.

Types of pain in the collarbone

Symptoms in the clavicle area can vary in intensity and frequency of manifestation, and also differ depending on some other factors.

Kind of pain	Peculiarities
Sharp	This type of pain occurs suddenly, accompanied by acute symptoms and concomitant complications from other parts of the musculoskeletal system. Usually, the symptom appears immediately after injury.
Chronic	Chronic pain from time to time appears in patients who suffer from chronic diseases of the ligaments of the shoulder joint, bone tissue. Periodically, the patient's condition worsens, but the pain may be moderate, not always accompanied by acute symptoms.
Moderate	A common type of discomfort in which pain occurs during exertion or at rest, but the patient can tolerate it without the use of pain medication.
Paroxysmal, stabbing, pulling	Such pains occur against the background of inflammatory and some other pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. They do not always bother the patient, periodically the condition worsens, and the treatment brings a short-term effect.
Localized or radiating	Localized pain occurs only in the clavicle when it is affected. If the pain radiates to the shoulder, chest, back, it is called radiating.

Depending on the type of pain, the doctor determines the tactics of therapy, the most appropriate medications and other methods of therapy.

Dividing the causes of pain by gender

Pain in the clavicle on the left (causes may be associated with degenerative tissue changes) and on the right often occurs in patients of different sexes. Experts do not share the reasons depending on the sex of the patient. However, some predisposing factors are more likely to provoke pain in women, others in men.

There are no other divisions of reasons by gender, since any factor can provoke pain in men and women.

Causes of pain in the collarbone on the left

Discomfort in the left clavicle can result from various predisposing factors.

The main reasons for the violation:

• Bone damage of varying severity.
• Violation of the integrity of the ligaments, in which there is discomfort during movement.
• Pathologies of the cardiovascular system, which, during an exacerbation, may be accompanied by discomfort in the clavicle. Often these disorders lead to pain in the shoulder joint.
• Degenerative pathologies of the articular joint, as well as ligaments.
• Diseases of the bone tissue, accompanied by discomfort.
• Infectious tissue lesions.
• Dislocation of the clavicle.

There are other reasons that can provoke pathology, they are revealed as a result of examination and questioning of the patient.

Causes of pain in the clavicle on the right

Pain in the collarbone can occur not only on the left, but also on the right. In this case, the reasons may not differ depending on the side of the lesion. On the right, discomfort also occurs against the background of injuries, muscle and joint sprains. But an inflammatory disease of muscle fibers, pathology of bone tissue can act as a predisposing factor.

Some diseases of the digestive system in the acute stage can also provoke pain in the clavicle on the right. For example, exacerbation of gastric ulcer and severe gastritis often lead to similar complications.

Other reasons are standard and do not depend on the location of the pain. Common predisposing factors include pathologies of the spinal cord, which lead to a violation of the innervation and tissues in the clavicle.

Causes of pain between the clavicles

Often, symptoms are localized between the collarbones. The most common cause is osteochondrosis. This condition is a degenerative-dystrophic disease in which there is a gradual destruction of cartilage tissue and disruption of the position of the vertebrae.

As a result, there is a deterioration in the innervation of tissues, the pain is localized precisely between the clavicles. Discomfort can be triggered by diseases of the patient's sternum, heart and stomach. Some infectious diseases make the condition worse. Injuries, muscle sprains, and other injuries can also provoke symptoms.

How to establish the cause of pain, differential diagnosis

If pain occurs, the patient needs to visit a traumatologist, who will conduct a diagnostic examination in order to determine the cause of the discomfort and the degree of neglect of the condition. The examination not only identifies the cause of the disorder, but also carries out differential diagnostics, which allows one to separate one disease from another.

In most cases, the following survey methods are used:

• X-ray examination considered the most popular and informative in diagnostics. It helps to determine the condition of the bone tissue and exclude damage to the surrounding tissues, which can also provoke pain. Radiography is performed in a standard way, the image is examined by a doctor, after which he makes a conclusion. Additionally, a specialist can study not only the clavicle, but also the articular joint, which helps to confirm or exclude the presence of inflammation or degenerative-dystrophic changes.
• Clinical blood test also refers to standard methods and helps to determine the general condition, to identify signs of inflammation. If such symptoms are absent, the specialist excludes the inflammatory origin of the pain. Blood is taken from the patient's vein, examined in laboratory conditions. Additional methods may be used if there are signs of inflammation.
• Ultrasound procedure soft tissues in the affected area. Depending on the localization of pain, the side studied by the doctor is determined. Diagnostics helps to determine the presence of inflammatory pathologies of soft tissues, as well as complications in the form of neoplasms, cysts and other disorders.
• ECG prescribed in the case when the pain is localized on the left and other symptoms of myocardial infarction are present. The result of the study allows you to establish an accurate diagnosis, provide the patient with timely assistance.
• MRI used when other research methods do not help determine the exact cause of pain. Diagnostics is carried out using a standard method, with all the tissues in the bone area being examined. If the patient has symptoms of neurological diseases with damage to the spinal cord, brain, a comprehensive study using a tomograph is necessary.

Based on the data obtained during the examination, the cause of the pain, concomitant deviations are determined, a diagnosis is made. If necessary, additional methods can be assigned on an individual basis.

Common causes of pain, symptoms and treatments

Pain in the clavicle on the left (the reasons can only be identified after a comprehensive examination) and on the right occurs against the background of various predisposing factors. Depending on the cause, clinical manifestations and methods of therapy may differ.

Traumatic injury

Pain can be caused by injury, for example:

• bone fracture;
• stretching of muscles, ligaments;
• tendon rupture.

The fracture can be open or closed. Sprains also come in varying degrees of severity. Traumatic injuries are accompanied by pain, the appearance of a hematoma in the affected area. Often, patients experience weakness and dizziness, an increase in body temperature. Lack of appetite, nausea, and indigestion can occur with injuries.

Treatment methods differ depending on the degree of tissue damage. With a closed fracture without displacement, the patient is placed in a fixation bandage, complete rest and bed rest are prescribed, as well as medications to relieve symptoms. The patient wears the bandage for at least 2 weeks, but sometimes it takes 4 weeks.

In case of an open fracture or displacement of bone fragments, a preliminary surgical intervention is performed, involving the reposition of parts of the bone, followed by the imposition of a plaster cast.

An obligatory stage of therapy is the appointment of medications to alleviate the condition:

• Pain relievers, for example, Analgin, Tempalgin can be used to eliminate acute symptoms after injury. The remedies relieve pain, improve sleep, and prevent the recurrence of acute discomfort. The funds are usually taken for 2-4 days, and the dosage is determined individually for each.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed for severe pain and the appearance of symptoms of inflammation in the area of ​​injury. Most often, Nimesulide or Ibuprofen are used, as well as drugs based on them. The funds block the inflammatory process, eliminate pain, and additionally have antipyretic properties. Like painkillers, drugs are taken in short courses of 5 days, the dosage is selected individually.
• Antibacterial drugs are indicated when there is a risk of infection. Most often, Amoxicillin or Augmentin is used, but other agents can be used for individual indications. Depending on the patient's body, the presence of concomitant complications, the dose and duration of use are determined.

Other medications for trauma are usually not used. Surgical intervention is necessary only when bone fragments are displaced.

After restoring the integrity of the bones, it is allowed to prescribe physiotherapy procedures that accelerate the rehabilitation period. Magnetotherapy is often used. The essence of the method lies in the positive effect of magnetic waves on tissues. At the same time, there is a rapid recovery and the risk of complications is reduced. The course consists of 10 sessions with a frequency of 2-3 days and a duration of 20 minutes.

Degenerative processes

Pain in the clavicle on the left (reasons often provoke concomitant deviations from the tissue) or on the right may be associated with degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cartilage tissue of the shoulder joint. In this case, the patient additionally develops pain when moving the limb, performing any manipulations. At rest, pain is also present, extending to the clavicle and shoulder joint.

For treatment, patients are prescribed medications, as well as physiotherapy methods that accelerate recovery.

The following groups of drugs are most commonly used:

• Chondroprotectors, which act on the cartilage tissue and contribute to its recovery. For example, the drug Alflutop has a natural origin, it helps to improve the condition of the shoulder joint. The solution is administered intramuscularly at 1 ml per day, the duration of treatment ranges from 20-35 days.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs also injected intramuscularly. The drug Diclofenac is administered at 3 ml per day for 7 days. The remedy relieves pain and inflammation.
• External remedies in the form of gels and ointments. The drug Nise has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, is available in the form of a gel for external use. Apply it 2 times a day with a thin layer. The duration of therapy is 7-10 days.

To accelerate tissue repair, the patient undergoes physiotherapy. Electrophoresis is considered an effective method. During the procedure, an electric current of a certain frequency is applied to the tissues, which stimulates regeneration, eliminates swelling and pain. The course consists of 10-15 sessions, 15-20 minutes each, procedures are carried out 2-3 times a week.

Inflammatory diseases

When diagnosing inflammation in the clavicle and shoulder joint, the patient is usually prescribed conservative treatment. If a purulent focus forms at the site of the lesion, surgical intervention is necessary, which involves cleansing the focus of pus and then restoring the integrity of the skin.

The manipulation is carried out in a hospital setting. After that, the patient is usually under the supervision of a doctor for 10-14 days. They make bandages and prescribe medications for him. In the absence of severe manifestations, pain relievers and antibiotics can be used. Sometimes glucocorticosteroids such as dexamethasone are indicated. They help eliminate swelling and prevent it from spreading to surrounding tissues.

In the acute period, physiotherapeutic procedures are rarely prescribed, but after recovery, magnetotherapy or electrophoresis can be used.

Cancer lesions

If the symptoms are associated with cancer and the formation of a tumor in the clavicle, surrounding tissues, treatment involves chemotherapy. Preparations and methods are selected individually after studying the tumor, its structure, size. Determination of the degree of risk of rapid growth of neoplasm is considered a prerequisite.

Patients may experience not only pain, but also swelling of the tissues at the site of the lesion, the spread of symptoms to muscles, tendons, and also the articular joint. Additionally, there are systemic disorders in the form of poor appetite, headache, fever.

Sometimes therapy is carried out conservatively, but surgical intervention is often required. The operation involves the excision of a neoplasm within healthy tissues, followed by the appointment of chemotherapy to prevent the spread of atypical cells.

It is impossible to define a standard scheme for all patients, since in each case it is determined individually, like medicines, methods of accelerating rehabilitation.

Neurological pathologies

Pain in the clavicle on the left (the causes of the disorder are not always associated with damage to the spinal cord) and on the right can be provoked by neurological abnormalities that develop with damage to the peripheral nervous systems. Patients may develop neuritis, plexitis, osteochondrosis in the cervical spine. Patients experience pain, impaired movement, deterioration of the condition of muscle tissue and ligaments.

With prolonged preservation of manifestations, tissue nutritional disturbance is possible, which leads to their atrophy.

Treatment for such pathologies is conservative, it involves the appointment of medications from different groups:

• B vitamins help to improve the conduction of impulses along the nerve endings, stimulate cell regeneration and prevent the spread of the inflammatory process. Intramuscularly, the patient can be injected with Neurorubin, 3 ml per day. The duration of treatment is 10 days.
• NSAIDs are almost always used to avoid acute pain and associated abnormalities. Meloxicam is administered intramuscularly, 1.5 ml per day. The duration of drug therapy is 5-7 days.
• External remedies help relieve pain, ease the course of the disease, and prevent the spread of inflammation to healthy tissues. Voltaren Emulgel can be applied in courses of 10 days. Apply it in a thin layer 2 times a day, rub in with careful movements.
• Medicines to relieve swelling can be given intravenously to prevent compression of tissues and nerves. For example, patients can be administered an L-lysine preparation in an amount of 5-10 ml per day using a dropper. The agent is preliminarily added to 100-200 ml of sodium chloride. The treatment lasts 5 to 10 days.

In each case, there may be individual indications for the appointment of additional medications.

During the recovery period, UHF therapy, physiotherapy exercises are prescribed, other methods are used to fully restore tissues. The duration of therapy and the number of manipulations are determined individually for each patient.

How to relieve acute pain in the collarbone

Acute pain in the right or left clavicle usually occurs with fractures, bruises, sprains. To eliminate pain, a specialist can treat the affected area with a special spray based on Lidocaine.

Inside, the patient can use 1 tablet of Ibuprofen or Analgin, depending on the severity of the pain. In the absence of the effect of taking the tablets, it is possible to administer the solution parenterally. The agent Ketorol, Dexalgin is considered effective. The dosage is determined depending on the severity of the symptom and the patient's body. In case of acute pain and the lack of effect from the use of such drugs, a potent analgesic can be prescribed, but only in a hospital setting.

Pain in the collarbone often occurs in patients of different ages, it can be localized to the left or right. The causes of the disorder are different, and may be associated with neurological disorders or cancer. After identifying the predisposing factor, the patient is assigned the most effective treatment on an individual basis.

Clavicle Pain Video

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