Maxfacts

Collarbone

Postoperative problems affecting the collarbone (clavicle) are very rare.

• Pathological fracture or malunion (improper alignment after fracture) if the clavicle has to be divided to access a very low lymph node mass or vessels in the neck.
• Ischaemic or avascular necrosis of the sternoclavicular joint after radical neck dissection and postoperative radiotherapy. The joint between the collarbone and the sternum (breastbone) disintegrates because of a lack of adequate blood supply.