Operative Treatment of an Atypical Segmental Bipolar Fracture of the Clavicle

Authors

1 Department of Surgery, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Centre Hospitalier du Centre du Valais, Sion, Switzerland

2 Department of Surgery, Medisch Centrum Alkmaar, Alkmaar, The Netherlands

Abstract

Introduction
Clavicle fractures are very common, accounting for approximately 4% of all adult fractures. Segmental bipolar fractures involving the lateral and the medial ends of the clavicle are extremely rare, with only isolated cases reported in the literature. The injury mechanism is often unclear and the management of these fractures remains controversial.


Case presentation
Here is to report a case of a segmental bipolar fracture of the clavicle with a lateral fracture and a displaced medial fracture without dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint following a low energy fall to the outstretched hand, and discuss its management.


Conclusions
Stability of the clavicle is crucial for shoulder function and care should be taken not to miss or underestimate segmental bipolar fractures even with a low energy mechanism. Authors believe that operative treatment should be taken into consideration for displaced fractures.

Keywords

Archives of Trauma Research,
Volume 4, Issue 4
December 2015

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