Clavicle greenstick fracture

Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Patient with pain and mobility limitation on the left shoulder after falling from bed and direct trauma.

Patient Data

Age: 5 years
Gender: Female

X-ray study

x-ray

Middle third of the left clavicle presents a slight bend with a fracture line of the periosteum and cortex on one side (which is the tension side) and it does not extend to the other side of the cortex and periosteum (which demonstrates plastic deformation due to compressive forces).

Case Discussion

Greenstick fractures are very common among the pediatric population that have an immature skeleton, and they can occur virtually in any and every bone in the body, such as mandible, scapula and pelvis. However the long bones are much more frequently affected, mostly throughout their diaphysis and metaphysis 1, such as the middle third of the clavicle 2.

Contributed by Dr. Guilherme Pioli Resende M.D. and Dr. Marcello Antônio de Rezende Basilio M.D.

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