Clavicle Fractures Why Surgical Intervention Works Medscape

Description: In the United States, clavicle fractures account for 5% of fractures seen in emergency departments. Approximately 80% of fractures are in the middle third; 15% are in the lateral third; and 5% involve the medial third. Historically, clavicle fractures have been treated nonoperatively with good functional outcomes. Nonoperative management usually includes a figure of 8 brace or a sling. Surgical intervention was reserved for certain limited situations, including open fractures, tenting of the skin by a sharp clavicle edge, neurovascular injury, and in association with a glenoid/scapula fracture ("floating arm").
There have been studies reporting a high dissatisfaction rate with outcomes of the nonoperative treatment of clavicle fractures.[1,2] In addition, there have been advances made in the fixation of clavicle fractures, including anatomic precontoured plates, locking plates, and intramedullary rods. As a result, there has been a renewed interest in fixing clavicle fractures in order to allow for early return to activities and to obtain higher patient satisfaction.
Raffy Mirzayan, MD Medscape Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine © 2006