Recovery following fractures of the clavicle treated conservatively

Abstract

A consecutive series of 140 patients with fractures of the clavicle were reviewed a minimum of 3 months after their injury. All had been treated conservatively using either a figure-of-eight bandage or broad arm sling. No statistical difference was found in the speed of recovery P greater than 0.05 when these two methods of treatment were compared in patients matched for sex and age. The patient's age at the time of the injury, however, did affect recovery with 33 per cent of those over the age of 20 years still having symptoms 3 months after they had sustained their fracture. Although lateral third fractures occurred more commonly in this age group than in the younger patients, the site of fracture did not adversely affect the speed of recovery P greater than 0.05.