Clavicle Fractures eMedicine Orthopedics

Description: Historically, clavicle fractures have been considered best treated nonoperatively, with good outcomes. Management typically included the use of either a shoulder sling or a figure-of-eight brace. The vast majority of these fractures healed, with variable amounts of cosmetic deformity. Recently, studies have examined the different patterns of displacement and clinical outcomes of clavicle fractures according to their location. Recent literature has focused predominantly on fractures of the middle and lateral clavicle. The literature is still lacking concerning the management of medial clavicle fractures. According to current literature, medial clavicle fractures respond well to nonoperative management. Controversy remains concerning operative versus nonoperative treatment of middle and lateral clavicle fractures.
Synonyms and related keywords: upper extremity fractures, shoulder girdle fractures, collar bone fractures, shoulder fractures, broken collar bone
Rubino & Lawless 2006