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How can a fall on an outstretched hand fracture the clavicle?
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A fall on an outstretched hand is a common cause of a clavicle fracture because of how the pectoral girdle functions to support the upper limb.
When you land on an outstretched hand, the impact generates a significant force that travels up the arm. This force is transmitted through the scapula (shoulder blade) directly to the clavicle. Because the clavicle acts as a horizontal strut connecting the shoulder to the axial skeleton, it is forced to absorb this kinetic energy. If the force exceeds the structural capacity of the bone, the clavicle—most commonly at its midsection—will fracture.12