For people living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), joint pain is often a part of daily life. When RA affects the shoulder, upper arm, or collarbone (clavicle), it can limit your range of motion and make daily activities more difficult.

Several members of myRAteam have shared their experiences with collarbone pain. “I have pain below my collarbone,” wrote one member. “If I raise my arms or stretch them, it hurts.”

Another member shared, “My collarbone was sore yesterday and this morning. I have swelling in that area.”

In this article, we’ll explore what causes collarbone pain in RA and how it can be managed.

What Causes Collarbone Pain in RA?

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. It happens when the immune system attacks healthy tissues in the body. This triggers inflammation, which causes pain and swelling, particularly in the joints.

People with rheumatoid arthritis may wonder, “Why does my collarbone hurt?” The answer may be related to inflammation from RA, but it could also stem from other causes. Let’s take a closer look.

More than half of all people with rheumatoid arthritis have shoulder problems. RA can affect either either of the two main joints in the shoulder: the acromioclavicular joint or the glenohumeral joint.

The acromioclavicular, or AC joint, is where the collarbone (clavicle) meets the tip of the shoulder blade. The glenohumeral joint is where the top of the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into the shoulder blade. When RA affects one or both of these joints, it can cause pain in the shoulders or the collarbone.

Other Possible Causes of Collarbone Pain

What does it mean when your collarbone hurts? While RA is a common cause, pain in the collarbone can also be related to several other conditions or factors, including:

• Strain or injury — This may include a broken collarbone (a fracture) or other bone or ligament injuries.
• Osteoarthritis — The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis happens when regular wear and tear affects the cartilage that cushions the bones. Osteoarthritis may also lead to bone spurs, which can cause pain.
• Bursitis — This is inflammation of the sacs that cushion the joints (bursae).
• Thoracic outlet syndrome — This happens when the nerves or blood vessels between the collarbone and first rib are compressed.
• Infection of the AC joint
• Frozen shoulder — When the shoulder becomes painful and stiff
• Rotator cuff injuries

One myRAteam member mentioned that their collarbone pain was due to their sleeping position. “I have had collarbone pain that was the result of my pillow and the placement of the pillow. This may not be your problem, but it was mine,” they said.

What Collarbone Pain With RA Feels Like

Members of myRAteam have described collarbone pain in different ways. For some, it feels like the usual RA joint pain they experience in other parts of the body. For others, it brings different sensations like burning or throbbing. “I’ve got a throbbing pain under my armpit and across my collarbones,” said a myRAteam member.

Another member shared, “Has anyone had pain in their collarbone close to your neck? My day started with this pain, and the shoulder joint pops when I move.”

Collarbone pain can also affect your ability to do everyday tasks that require lifting or moving your arms. “I have been having neck and collarbone pain! It’s so bad that it hurts to hug my grandson,” said one member. Another member shared, “I’m having difficulty lifting my arm or reaching.”

How To Relieve Pain in the Clavicle With RA

If you have collarbone pain, talk to your rheumatologist or a healthcare provider. They can do a physical exam, determine what’s causing your pain, and help you find the best way to treat and manage it.

If you’ve already been diagnosed with RA, your doctor might order an X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound of your shoulder and collarbone. These tests can help confirm whether RA inflammation is causing your collarbone pain or if there’s another issue, like an injury.

Medications

There are several treatment options for collarbone pain caused by joint inflammation from RA. If RA is to blame, your doctor may prescribe disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These medications help slow the progression of RA and prevent joint damage. This can help your pain from getting worse. Your healthcare provider may also prescribe you a corticosteroid medication for short-term relief from swelling and pain.

Over-the-counter pain relief medications like acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like naproxen sodium and ibuprofen can temporarily relieve joint pain. You can also try certain gels, patches, or topical creams that contain pain-relieving ingredients like capsaicin.

For persistent and debilitating pain, a doctor might suggest injecting steroids or an anesthetic into an inflamed section of the joint. These shots can provide near-immediate relief that can last weeks or months.

Physical Activity

It may feel counterintuitive to exercise when you’re dealing with pain. As one myRAteam user said, “I hear a lot about exercising, but how do you exercise with pain and stiffness all over your body?”

Still, gentle daily activity and physical therapy can help people with RA joint pain feel better. Regular exercise can help you move better, keep your joints strong and loose, and stop pain from getting worse.

Heat and Cold Therapy

Many myRAteam members use hot or cold therapy for pain relief. This method might help with collarbone or shoulder pain too. “Ice packs do help with my excruciating, ongoing pain,” said one member. Another said that they only take Tylenol and use ice packs when the pain is too much to handle.

Some people find that one method works better than the other. One member said, “I don’t use heat on my joints, as it makes them worse.” Another wrote, “Honestly, ice packs seem to help me more than heating pads.”

Others prefer heat for relief. “My heating pad helps me. Ice packs make my joints hurt,” shared one member. Another recommended using a hot water bottle or heat pack to reduce joint pain. It’s important to try different approaches and find the best pain relief method for you.

Occupational and Physical Therapy

For collarbone pain, occupational or physical therapy may be helpful. Occupational therapy focuses on teaching you how to perform daily activities in a way that feels good for you. Physical therapy helps strengthen your muscles and extend your range of motion. Together, physical therapy, exercise, and increased movement can help reduce pain and may delay the onset of disability in people living with RA.

Find Your Team

Are you or a loved one living with rheumatoid arthritis? Consider joining myRAteam today. Here, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with RA.

Do you experience collarbone pain as one of your RA symptoms? How do you manage it? Share your story or thoughts in the comments below or by posting on myRAteam.