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Complications

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

  • mal-union is common -
  • but thought to be more desirable than the internal fixation necessary to prevent it
  • non-union is uncommon -
  • risk factors for non-union of midshaft clavicle fractures include:
    • clavicle shortening > 15–20 mm
    • female sex
    • fracture comminution
    • fracture displacement
    • greater extent of initial trauma
    • older age (1)
  • only consider internal fixation if symptomatic - which patients are rarely
  • deformity:
  • may be distressing especially to parents of children in whom the size of the callus may be quite considerable
  • callus can be removed
  • damage to vessels and nerves:
  • very rare
  • Sir Robert Peel died when he was thrown from his horse, fracturing his clavicle and rupturing a great vessel

Reference:

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