Clavicle AP is an anteroposterior X‑ray view of the collarbone taken front-to-back to assess fractures, alignment, healing and joint involvement. Performed upright or supine with the beam centered over the clavicle, it helps detect midshaft, lateral or medial fractures, displacement and associated acromioclavicular or sternoclavicular injuries. It’s commonly used in acute trauma and follow-up imaging.

The best initial radiographic view for the clavicle is an AP projection with a 15–30° cephalic (cranial) tilt — often called an AP cephalic or lordotic clavicle view. This angle projects the clavicle above the thoracic structures, improving visualization of the entire bone and fracture displacement. Additional axial or oblique views may be obtained for suspected medial ends, complex fractures, or AC‑joint assessment.

AP (anteroposterior) x‑rays project the beam front-to-back—often used when patients lie supine or cannot stand; they can magnify the heart and mediastinum. Lateral x‑rays are side-to-side projections, providing depth and showing anterior versus posterior relationships, useful for localizing lesions and evaluating retrosternal or retrocardiac spaces. Both views complement each other for accurate assessment.

The two standard radiographic views of the clavicle are an anteroposterior (AP) view and an AP cephalic-tilt (axial) view, typically with 15–45° cephalic angulation. The AP view shows overall clavicular alignment and gross fractures; the cephalic-tilt view projects the clavicle above the ribs and shoulder, improving visualization of shaft fractures, displacement, and medial or lateral end involvement.

AP shoulder: patient upright or supine with the affected shoulder centered on the image receptor. For the standard AP view, the arm is in external rotation (palm facing forward) with the elbow flexed 90°, placing the humeral epicondyles parallel to the cassette to profile the greater tubercle. Central ray is perpendicular to the glenohumeral joint, directed approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) inferior to the coracoid process.

No. Most clavicle (collarbone) fractures heal without surgery using a sling, pain control and physiotherapy. Surgery is reserved for specific situations: open fractures, skin tenting, severe displacement or shortening (often >2 cm in adults), neurovascular injury, floating shoulder, or symptomatic nonunion/malunion. The choice depends on fracture pattern, age, activity level and patient goals.