Case Report: Middle Third Clavicle Fracture Introduction A 23 year old male presented to the sideline with right shoulder pain after taking a hard hit during a preseason football practice.
Case Report: Middle Third Clavicle Fracture A 23 year old male presented to the sideline with right shoulder pain after taking a hard hit during a preseason football practice. He landed on the tip of his shoulder, sustaining a direct blow. On the sideline, he had point tenderness and gross deformity of the mid-shaft of his clavicle.
The medial component was elevated due to SCM muscle spasm and depressed laterally due to the shoulder joint and pectoralis muscle. His neurological exam was within normal limits. Radiographs were obtained which revealed a closed, mid-shaft, comminuted fracture of the right clavicle with 2 cm of shortening.
The patient elected to have surgical intervention. Anterior-posterior radiograph showing midshaft clavicular fracture. Note surgical anchors related to previous shoulder stabilization.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGZBf7mXj6M Discussion Mid shaft clavicle fractures are one of the most common fractures seen in both adults in children. In adults, they represent 2-5% of all fractures while in children, 10-15%. The distribution is bimodal, seen in both young males under the age of 30 and elderly patients over the age of 70. Mid-shaft or middle third represents the majority of clavicle fractures with lateral third and medial third representing only 25% and 3% respectively. Risk factors include osteoporosis, osteopenia and male gender.The mechanism of injury typically involves falling directly onto the lateral shoulder.
If you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to mid shaft clavicle fracture, it is important to see a sports medicine physician. Early evaluation and treatment typically lead to better outcomes. Do not ignore pain or symptoms that are limiting your activity.
*This article is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.*
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