Morphometry of the human clavicle and intramedullary canal: A 3D, geometry-based quantification

Midshaft clavicle fractures are a very common occurrence. The current treatment of choice involves internal fixation with superior or anterior clavicle plating, however their clinical success and particularly patient satisfaction are decreasing. The implementation of intramedullary devices is on the rise, but data describing the intramedullary canal parameters are lacking. The aim of this study is to quantify the geometry of the clavicle and its intramedullary canal, and to evaluate the effect of gender and anatomical side. This study used three-dimensional image-based models with novel and automated methods of standardization, normalization, and bone cross-section evaluation. The data obtained in this study present intramedullary canal, and clavicle diameter and center deviation parameterized as a function of clavicle length as well as its radius of curvature and true length. Results showed that both right-sided and female clavicles were shorter and thicker, but only females showed a statistically significant difference in size compared to males (p < 0.0001). The smallest clavicle and intramedullary canal diameters were seen at different clavicle lengths (45% and 52%), suggesting that the narrowest region of intramedullary canal cannot be appreciated based on external visualization of the clavicle alone. The narrowing of the intramedullary canal is of special interest because this is a potential limiting region for surgical planning and intramedullary device design. Furthermore, the location and value of maximum lateral curvature displacement is different in the intramedullary canal, implying there exists an eccentricity of the intramedullary canal center with respect to the clavicle center. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:2191-2202, 2017.