Review Question - QID 936

The risk of nonunion in patients sustaining middle 1/3 clavicle fractures is increased in female patients.

Clavicle fractures are often secondary to direct blows to the lateral aspect of the shoulder. Physical examination is important to ascertain the status of the skin and neurovascular structures to help guide treatment management. Although most non-displaced middle 1/3 clavicle fractures may be treated successfully with conservative measures, the risk for non-union (1-5%) increases with increasing comminution, female gender, shortening greater than 2 cm and an advanced age of the patient.

Robinson et al. reviewed 581 patients treated non-operatively for midshaft clavicle fractures. A nonunion rate of 4.5 % was identified at 24 weeks after the injury. They identified four factors that contributed to non-union, including: female gender, lack of cortical apposition, comminution of the fracture fragments and advancing age.

Zlowdzki et al. reviewed 2144 clavicle fracture cases in a comprehensive meta-analysis. They report displacement as the highest risk factor for nonunion (15.1%) in nonoperatively treated clavicle fractures, and simple slings were favored over figure of 8 braces. They also report an 86% reduction in the nonunion rate when operative fixation is chosen over nonoperative treatment for displaced clavicle fractures.

Illustration A shows the presence of a non-union of a midshaft clavicle fracture. A video is provided that reviews management of clavicle injuries.

Incorrect Answers
Answers 1, 3: Older patients and comminution of the fracture were found to be risk factors for non-union in midshaft clavicle injuries
Answers 4, 5: Neither of these are associated with an increased risk of non-union in midshaft clavicular fractures.