Intramedullary Fixation for Displaced Clavicle Fractures in the Adolescent Athlete

The role of intramedullary (IM) fixation of displaced mid-shaft clavicle fractures in adolescents has not been described. This study analyzes characteristics and outcomes of IM fixation in adolescent clavicle fractures. Patients < 18 years with acute, mid-shaft clavicle fractures treated with IM clavicle pins between March 2007 and August 2013 were reviewed. Outcomes of interest were activity level, fracture pattern, time to union, return to sports and complications. Twenty-nine patients (14.8 years (range 11.4-17.9)) underwent IM pin fixation for a displaced, mid-shaft clavicle fracture, including 7 (24.1%) that were multi-fragmentary (length unstable). Complete displacement (> 100%) occurred in 27/29 (93.1%), with average preoperative shortening length of 18 mm. Union occurred in 100% of patients, at a mean duration of 8 weeks. Among student-athletes (25/29, 86.2%), average return to sport was at 18 weeks post-injury. IM pinning offers stable fixation of clavicle fractures in the active adolescent population.(Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 29(2):81-87, 2020).