INTRODUCTION​

• Collarbone (clavicle) fractures are common injuries to the upper extremity

• Many different types of fractures exist, characterized by location (medial, shaft, distal), age (pediatric vs. adult), and amount of shortening or displacement

• More common in younger patients, but can be present in any patient after a trauma

• 75% of clavicle fractures occur in the middle or shaft of the clavicle

CAUSES

• Clavicle fractures occur when a person falls on an outstretched hand or sustains a direct trauma to the collarbone

​SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• Pain over the collarbone

• Tenderness over the collarbone 

• Prominence or deformity of the collarbone, oftentimes with skin tenting, can be present

TREATMENT​​

• Most clavicle fractures are treated without surgery

• Factors associated with nonsurgical treatment include: younger age, shaft fracture location, minimal displacement, minimal shortening

• Factors that increase the risk of surgery include: older age, open fracture, distal clavicle fracture location, and greater displacement and shortening. These risk factors increase the risk of the fracture ends not healing, leading to a nonunion and persistent pain

• Patients treated non-operatively usually are placed in a sling for a few weeks followed by a A course of physical therapy or a home exercise program 

• In patients where surgery is indicated, the procedure is a clavicle repair with a plate and screws. The procedure is very common and has high success rates 

PREVENTION​

• Avoid activities that put you at risk of falling on your collarbone