Clavicular Fractures in the Adolescent

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.