Fractures of the clavicle

Three hundred and forty-two patients with fractures of the clavicle attended the Fractrure Clinic at Bridgend General Hospital between 1957 and 1972. The history of injury was recorded in the notes at the first visit but in only 215 cases was the exact mechanism of the injury clearly stated. Of these, 91 per cent were caused by a fall or a blow on the point of the shoulder. All patients were treated symptomatically. A triangular sling was applied to support the weight of the arm and early use of the limb was encouraged. One hundred unselected patients were followed up, the longest period being 15 years and the shortest, 1 year. None had any loss of function of muscle power at the shoulder. Only 15 per cent were left with any noteworthy deformity at the site of fracture.