This is a basic article for medical students and other non-radiologists
Clavicle fracture usually occurs following trauma with a direct blow to the shoulder region, often following a fall.
On this page:
Reference article
This is a summary article. For more information, you can read a more in-depth reference article: clavicle fracture.
Summary
-
anatomy
- normal clavicle anatomy
- normal acromioclavicular joint anatomy
-
epidemiology
- common: 2.5-10%
- bimodal age and sex distribution
-
presentation
- clavicle or shoulder pain following trauma
-
pathophysiology
- almost always traumatic
- most commonly midshaft (70-80%)
-
investigation
- x-ray for diagnosis and follow-up
- CT for difficult to visualize fractures at either end, especially if joint involved
-
treatment
- conservative treatment with immobilization
- complications
- non-union (15%)
- cosmetic deformity or brachial plexus irritation
- complications
- surgical treatment
- increasingly common especially where there is displacement
- conservative treatment with immobilization
Radiographic features
Plain radiograph
- for diagnosis
- also seen on
Fracture, usually of the midshaft. There may be angulation and displacement. If there is only 1 view, it is difficult to be certain about the degree of displacement (it may be underestimated). A second view performed obliquely can help to determine displacement.