Typically, patients with a clavicle fracture will exhibit localized swelling and pain, along with subcutaneous bruising. There is limited shoulder lifting ability and pressing on the area can cause severe tenderness. There may also be palpable grinding or sensation of the bones rubbing together, and abnormal movement at the fracture site. These are common clinical symptoms of a clavicle fracture, and a diagnosis can be confirmed with a standard X-ray.

In cases of severe misalignment of a clavicle fracture where manual reduction fails, it is necessary to actively pursue surgical treatment with open reduction and internal fixation, typically using Kirschner wires or steel plate screws for internal fixation.