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Observational Study
. 2017 Feb 15;18(1):82.
doi: 10.1186/s12891-017-1444-1.

Clavicle fractures: epidemiology, classification and treatment of 2 422 fractures in the Swedish Fracture Register; an observational study

Caroline Kihlström  1 , Michael Möller  2 , Katarina Lönn  3 , Olof Wolf  3
Affiliations
Observational Study

Clavicle fractures: epidemiology, classification and treatment of 2 422 fractures in the Swedish Fracture Register; an observational study

Caroline Kihlström et al. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. .

Abstract

Background: Large multi-centre studies of clavicle fractures have so far been missing. The aim of this observational study was to describe the epidemiology, classification and treatment of clavicle fractures in the The Swedish Fracture Register (SFR) that collects national prospective data from large fracture populations.

Methods: Data were retrieved from the SFR on all clavicle fractures sustained by patients ≥ 15 years of age in 2013-2014 (n = 2 422) with regards to date of injury, cause of injury, fracture classification and treatment.

Results: Sixty-eight per cent of the clavicle fractures occurred in males. The largest subgroup was males aged 15-24 years, representing 21% of clavicle fractures. At the ages of 65 years and above, females sustained more clavicle fractures than males. Same-level falls and bicycle accidents were the most common injury mechanisms. Displaced midshaft fractures constituted 43% of all fractures and were the most frequently operated fractures. Seventeen per cent of the patients underwent operative treatment within 30 days of the injury, where plate fixation was the choice of treatment in 94% of fractures.

Conclusion: The largest patient group was young males. Displaced midshaft fractures were the most common type of clavicle fracture as well as the most frequently operated type of fracture.

Keywords: Classification; Clavicle fracture; Epidemiology; The Swedish Fracture Register; Treatment.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Robinson’s classification system for clavicle fractures as presented in the SFR’s online registration module (18). 1A1 Medial, undisplaced, extra-articular. 1B1 Medial, displaced, extra-articular. 1A2 Medial, undisplaced, intra-articular. 1B2 Medial, displaced, intra-articular. 2A1 Midshaft, cortical alignment, undisplaced. 2A2 Midshaft, cortical alignment, angulated. 2B1 Midshaft, displaced, simple or wedge comminuted. 2B2 Midshaft, displaced, isolated or comminuted segmental. 3A1 Lateral, cortical alignment, extra-articular. 3B1 Lateral, displaced, extra-articular. 3A2 Lateral, cortical alignment, intra-articular. 3B2 Lateral, displaced, intra-articular. The use of the figure in this study has been approved by the SFR
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Distribution of clavicle fractures by age and sex
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Daily distribution of clavicle fractures by sex
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Monthly distribution of clavicle fractures by sex
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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