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Fracture, Clavicle, Sports Medicine

Christopher C. Trigger, MD, FACEP, CAQSM Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

  • The clavicle is a subcutaneous S-shaped bone.

  • First bone to ossify in the human body (5th wk of gestation)

  • Functionally acts as a strut that connects the shoulder girdle to the axial skeleton

DESCRIPTION

DIAGNOSIS

History, physical exam, and appropriate imaging will make the diagnosis. 

HISTORY

  • Direct trauma or a fall

  • Middle-third fractures are frequently seen with fall on an outstretched arm.

  • Distal-thir...

TREATMENT

  • Primary goal in treating clavicular fractures is to obtain bony union and restore shoulder function to preinjury level with little or no residual pain, dysfunction, or cosmetic deformity 1,2...

ONGOING CARE

  • Follow-up should be scheduled 7 to 10 days after injury to assess clinical symptoms and then every 2 to 4 wk until clinical and radiographic union occur 1.

  • Radiographic union progresses mo...

REFERENCES

1
Pujalte GG, Housner JA. Management of clavicle fractures. Curr Sports Med Rep.  2008;7(5):275–280.
2
Kim W, McKee MD. Management of acute clavicle fractures. Orthop Clin North Am.  ...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Fanter NJ, Kenny RM, Baker CLIII, et al. Surgical treatment of clavicle fractures in the adolescent athlete. Sports Health.  2015;7(2):137–141.

  • Woltz S, Stegeman SA, Krijnen P, ...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Most fractures are managed nonoperatively unless displaced and shortened.

  • Most patients can return to noncontact sports within 6 to 8 wk.

  • Typical return to contact sports is 8 to 12 wk.

  • S...

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