Nontraumatic disorders of the clavicle

Abstract

Other than those resulting from trauma and arthritis, disorders of the clavicle are uncommon. Some nontraumatic disorders are found only in infancy and childhood, such as birth fracture, infantile cortical hyperostosis, congenital pseudarthrosis, cleidocranial dysplasia, and short clavicle syndrome. Other nontraumatic disorders occur in both children and adults; these include anterior subluxation of the sternoclavicular joint, Friedrich's disease, hypertrophic osteitis, chronic multifocal periosteitis and arthropathy, and osteomyelitis. Some nontraumatic clavicular disorders are found only in adults, such as distal osteolysis. Because the description and nomenclature of these disorders arise from several medical disciplines, they often are confusing. Until clear, distinguishing features are described, it is advisable to combine some of the entities. This is especially true of the nonsuppurative inflammatory disorders of the clavicle, which appear to fall under the heading of spondyloarthropathy. Treatment varies by disorder and may include symptomatic and expectant management, drug therapy, and nonsurgical or surgical treatment.