Management of clavicle shaft fractures with intramedullary devices: a narrative review

Displaced and shortened clavicle fractures are frequently treated surgically. Although extramedullary fixation using a plate and screws is most commonly used, intramedullary nailing has become increasingly popular over the last decade. Traditional intramedullary nailing is usually associated with a high risk of hardware migration as well as hardware irritation at its entry point. Newer devices, however, seem to mitigate these problems. The aim of this narrative review is to provide an overview of clavicle shaft fractures and treatment with intramedullary nails, in particular the newer, locked devices.

In general, this review covers current literature related to clavicle shaft fractures with a specific focus on the treatment of displaced and shortened fractures with intramedullary nails.

Clavicle shaft fractures can be effectively treated with an intramedullary nail. The risk of hardware migration when employing the newer, improved designs appears to be minimal. The advantages of using intramedullary fixation include smaller incision sizes as well as the avoidance of routine procedures generally associated with the removal of prominent subcutaneous hardware as per extramedullary fixation.