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. 2023 May 3;105(9):713-723.
doi: 10.2106/JBJS.22.01036. Epub 2023 Feb 8.

Clavicular Fractures in the Adolescent

Midhat Patel  1 , Benton E Heyworth  2 , Niloofar Dehghan  3 , Charles T Mehlman  4 , Michael D McKee  1
Affiliations

Clavicular Fractures in the Adolescent

Midhat Patel et al. J Bone Joint Surg Am. .

Abstract

➤: Current evidence suggests that the majority of clavicular fractures in adolescents can and should be treated nonoperatively.

➤: Although rare, in certain patients or fracture patterns, nonoperative management may be associated with delayed healing, prolonged disability, and/or poor functional outcome requiring secondary reconstruction.

➤: When warranted, primary open reduction and internal fixation with plate and screw application has consistently good outcomes with a low complication rate, with the most common complication being implant-related symptoms requiring a secondary surgical procedure for implant removal.

➤: Prospective, comparative studies examining operative and nonoperative treatment, including measures of early return to function, injury burden, return to athletic activity, complication and reoperation rates, and shoulder-girdle-specific, long-term outcome measures are warranted to further elucidate which fractures may benefit from primary fixation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: The Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest forms are provided with the online version of the article ( http://links.lww.com/JBJS/H419 ).

References

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    1. Vander Have KL, Perdue AM, Caird MS, Farley FA. Operative versus nonoperative treatment of midshaft clavicle fractures in adolescents. J Pediatr Orthop. 2010 Jun;30(4):307-12.
    1. Kamaci S, Bess L, Glogovac G, Colosimo AJ. Plate osteosynthesis of midshaft clavicle fractures in adolescent contact sports athletes - adolescent clavicle fracture. J Pediatr Orthop B. 2022 Jan 1;31(1):1-6.
    1. Gausden EB, Fabricant PD. Management of clavicle fractures in adolescents: a critical analysis review. JBJS Rev. 2018 Sep;6(9):e4.
    1. Altamimi SA, McKee MD; Canadian Orthopaedic Trauma Society. Nonoperative treatment compared with plate fixation of displaced midshaft clavicular fractures. Surgical technique. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2008 Mar;90 Suppl 2 Pt 1:1-8.

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