A clavicle X-ray is a scan that shows your collarbone.
Your doctor may request it after a fall, road accident, sports injury, or pain near the shoulder. It helps check whether the collarbone is broken, displaced, or healing well.
Common Indications for Clavicle X-Ray
- Pain after falling on the shoulder
- Suspected collarbone fracture
- Swelling, deformity, or tenderness over the collarbone
- Injury after sports or road traffic accident
- Follow-up after a known fracture
- Checking alignment after treatment
What exactly does a clavicle X-ray show?
It shows the collarbone from the breastbone side to the shoulder side. It can show a fracture, displacement, healing bone, or abnormal alignment near the shoulder joint.
How should I prepare for a clavicle X-ray?
You do not need to fast. Wear clothing that is easy to remove from the shoulder area. You may need to remove necklaces, bra straps with metal parts, or clothing clips.
Do I need to stop taking medication?
No. Keep taking your usual medication unless your referring doctor says otherwise.
What happens when I arrive for my scan?
The radiographer will confirm which collarbone needs imaging and ask about the injury. If your arm is in a sling, the team will help position you carefully.
How is the procedure performed?
You may stand, sit, or lie down. The radiographer will position your shoulder and collarbone, then take one or more images from different angles.
How long does a clavicle X-ray take?
The scan usually takes about 10 minutes. It may take longer if pain makes positioning difficult.
Is there any discomfort?
No. The X-ray itself is painless. Moving the shoulder may hurt if the collarbone is injured, so the radiographer will try to be gentle.
Are there risks?
A clavicle X-ray uses a small amount of radiation. No radiation stays in your body after the scan. The team only takes the images needed.
Can children have this scan?
Yes. Collarbone fractures are common in children. The radiographer adjusts the scan for the child's size and comfort.
Can I have this scan if I am pregnant?
Pregnancy Precaution
Tell your doctor or radiographer if you are pregnant or think you might be. The collarbone is not close to the womb, but the team still needs to know before any X-ray.
When will I get my results?
A radiologist will review the images and send a report to your referring doctor. Urgent injury results may be acted on sooner.
What if the scan finds something?
Your referring doctor will explain the result and what treatment is needed. You may need a sling, pain control, follow-up X-rays, or orthopaedic review.
What can this X-ray miss?
Plain X-rays show bone and alignment well but may miss a small, non-displaced, stress, or early fracture. They also provide limited information about cartilage, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and other soft tissues. Persistent focal pain, inability to use the limb, or worsening symptoms after a normal X-ray needs clinical reassessment; repeat X-rays, CT, MRI, or ultrasound may be appropriate.
Seek urgent care rather than waiting for a routine report if there is an open wound over a suspected fracture, severe deformity, rapidly increasing swelling, loss of feeling or movement, or a limb that becomes pale, blue, or cold.
Sources and further reading
Conclusion
A clavicle X-ray is a quick way to check a painful or injured collarbone. To make the scan easier, bring or wear your sling if one was given.