Clavicle Fractures

Clavicle Fractures

Background

• Accounts for 5% of all fractures
• Occurs in both children and adults
• Majority of fractures occur at the junction of the middle and outer thirds of the clavicle
• Healing is slower in adults than in children

Classification

Allman's classification (1967)

• Group 1 - Mid-shaft fractures (80%)
• 1A - Undisplaced
• 1B - Displaced
• 1C - Comminuted
• Group 2 - Lateral end fractures (15%), subclassified by Neer (1984) in relation to coraco-clavicular ligaments 
• Type 1 – Minimal displacement, fracture usually between trapezoid and conoid
• Type 2 – Displaced fracture, medial to one or both coracoclavicular ligaments 
• Type 3 – Intra-articular ACJ fracture with ligamentous rupture (lateral to coraco-clavicular ligament)
• Group 3 – Medial end fractures (5%)