Clavicle Fractures
Denise R Ramponi1, Mary Jo Cerepani
1School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Robert Morris University, Moon Township, Pennsylvania (Dr Ramponi); Emergency Department, Heritage Valley Esmark, Sewickley, Pennsylvania (Dr Ramponi); and Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Dr Cerepani).
Abstract:
Clavicle fractures are commonly seen in children and young adults. A case of a 30-year-old woman sustaining a clavicle fracture while riding a bike is highlighted. The most common cause is strong fall with the injured arm at one's side, often in contact sports injuries. The clavicle is divided into thirds: medial (proximal), middle (midshaft), and lateral (distal) thirds. Eighty percent of clavicle fractures occur in the middle third of the clavicle, and nearly half of those midshaft fractures are displaced. Goals of initial treatment are to reduce pain and limit motion of the fracture fragments until bone union with either sling or figure-of-eight dressing. Surgical treatment has recently shown reduction of the nonunion rate and decreases the time for fracture union compared with nonsurgical treatment.
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