Adolescent displaced lateral-end clavicle fractures are not comparable to the adult variant. Epidemiology, fracture patterns and outcome of non-operative management

Abstract

Background The primary aim of this study was to determine the epidemiology of lateral-end clavicle fractures in adolescents. The secondary aim was to assess the outcome following non-operative management. Methods A retrospective review of all adolescent clavicle fractures over a 10-year period was undertaken. Fracture classification, demographics, management, and complications were analysed. Functional outcomes were undertaken with the Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand and EuroQol five-dimension at mean 8.8 years post-injury. Results In total, 677 clavicle fractures were analysed, 8.7% were lateral-end fractures ( n = 59/677). The median age was 14.6 (range: 13–17) and 92% were male ( n = 54/59). The incidence was 0.17 per 100,000 per year. All displaced physeal fractures (Neer IV n = 14) were managed non-operatively and of the six followed-up, all united with good outcomes. The adult type displaced fracture (Neer II) occurred in fifteen fractures, five underwent operative fixation and ten were managed non-operatively with one subsequent nonunion ( n = 1/10). Those patients that underwent non-operative management (response n = 5/10, 50%) reported a median Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand of 2.3 but approximately 40% reported cosmetic and outcome dissatisfaction at long-term follow-up. Conclusion Displaced Neer II lateral-end clavicle fractures are rare in the adolescent population. Although nonunion is rare, some dissatisfaction with cosmesis persists at long-term follow-up despite good functional outcomes with non-operative management.