For people living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), joint pain is often a part of daily life. When RA affects the shoulder, upper arm, or clavicle (collarbone), 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,” one member said. “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 Rheumatoid Arthritis?

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 have other causes. Let’s take a closer look.

More than half of all people with rheumatoid arthritis develop shoulder problems. RA can affect several joints in and around the shoulder, including the acromioclavicular (AC) joint and the glenohumeral joint.

The AC joint is where the collarbone 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 shoulder or the collarbone area.

Another joint that may cause pain near the collarbone is the sternoclavicular (SC) joint, where the collarbone meets the sternum (breastbone). If RA inflames the SC joint, pain may be felt near the base of the neck or upper chest and may seem like it’s coming from the collarbone.

Other Possible Causes of Collarbone Pain

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

• Strain or injury — A bone or ligament injury, such as a broken collarbone (a fracture)
• Osteoarthritis — Wear-and-tear arthritis (the most common form) that breaks down cartilage cushioning the bones and may also lead to painful bone spurs
• Bursitis — Inflammation of the bursae (fluid-filled sacs that cushion joints)
• Thoracic outlet syndrome — Compression of nerves or blood vessels between the collarbone and first rib
• AC joint infection — Infection causing inflammation and pain in the AC joint
• Frozen shoulder — Painful stiffness and reduced movement in the shoulder joint
• Rotator cuff injury — Damage to the muscles or tendons that stabilize the shoulder

A member of myRAteam 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 sensations of burning or throbbing. “I’ve got a throbbing pain under my armpit and across my collarbones,” a myRAteam member said.

What Members Are Saying About Collarbone Pain

“I have been having neck and collarbone pain! It’s so bad that it hurts to hug my grandson.”

“I have pain below my collarbone. If I raise my arms or stretch them, it hurts.”

“Has anyone had pain in their collarbone close to your neck?” another member asked. “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,” one member said.

Another shared, “I’m having difficulty lifting my arm or reaching.”

How To Relieve Collarbone Pain 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 whether there’s another issue, like an injury.

Medications

Several treatment options may help manage collarbone pain caused by joint inflammation from RA. Your doctor may prescribe disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These drugs help slow the progression of RA and prevent joint damage, and they may keep your pain from getting worse. Your healthcare provider may also prescribe a corticosteroid medication for short-term relief from swelling and pain.

Over-the-counter pain relief medications such as 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. “I hear a lot about exercising, but how do you exercise with pain and stiffness all over your body?” one myRAteam member asked.

However, gentle daily activity and physical therapy can help people with RA joint pain feel better. Regular exercise may help improve movement, keep your joints strong and flexible, and prevent 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,” one member said.

Another said that they take acetaminophen and use ice packs when their pain becomes difficult to manage.

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,” one member shared.

Another member 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 and need for surgery in people living with RA.

Join the Conversation

On myRAteam, people share their experiences with rheumatoid arthritis, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Do you experience collarbone pain as one of your RA symptoms? Let others know in the comments below.