Posttraumatic osteolysis of the distal clavicle with emphasis on early radiologic changes

Erosion of progressive resorption of the distal clavicle following trauma has been described but merits greater attention due to its frequency. Six cases of posttraumatic osteolysis of the distal clavicle are reported with emphasis on early radiographic detection. Soft tissue swelling, deminerlization, and loss of the subarticular cortex at the injured clavicular tip antecede the more commonly recognized gross erosion. Recognition of this early stage, with consequent immobilization, may shorten the course of this process and decrease the prolonged disability. The pathogenesis of the process is discussed and illustrated.