Clavicle fracture
| Clavicle fracture | |
|---|---|
 |
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| X-ray of a left clavicle fracture | |
| Classification and external resources | |
| Specialty | emergency medicine |
| ICD-10 | S42.0 |
| ICD-9-CM | 810 |
| MedlinePlus | 001588 |
| eMedicine | orthoped/50 |
A clavicle fracture is a bone fracture in the clavicle, or collarbone. It is often caused by a fall onto an outstretched upper limb or hand (a FOOSH), a fall onto a shoulder, or a direct blow to the clavicle. Many research projects are underway regarding the medical healing process of clavicle fractures.
Clavicle fractures are commonly known as a breaking of the collarbone, and they are usually a result of injury or trauma. The most common type of fracture occurs when a person falls horizontally on the shoulder or with an outstretched hand. A direct hit to the collarbone also can cause a break. In most cases, the direct hit occurs from the lateral side towards the medial side of the bone. The muscles involved in clavicle fractures include the deltoid, trapezius, subclavius, sternocleidomastoid, sternohyoid, and pectoralis major muscles. The ligaments involved include the conoid ligament and trapezoid ligament. Incidents that may lead to a clavicle fracture include automobile accidents, biking accidents (especially common in mountain biking), horizontal falls on the shoulder joint, or contact sports such as football, rugby, hurling, or wrestling.
The clavicle is the bone that connects the trunk of the body to the arm, and it is located directly above the first rib. A clavicle is located on each side of the front, upper part of the chest. The clavicle consists of a medial end, a shaft, and a lateral end. The medial end connects with the manubrium of the sternum and gives attachments to the fibrous capsule of the sternoclavicular joint, articular disc, and interclavicular ligament. The lateral end connects at the acromion of the scapula which is referred to as the acromioclavicular joint. The clavicle forms a slight S-shaped curve where it curves from the sternal end laterally and anteriorly for near half its length, then forming a posterior curve to the acromion of the scapula.
The basic method to check for a clavicle fracture is by an X-ray of the clavicle to determine the fracture type and extent of injury. In former times, X-rays were taken of both clavicle bones for comparison purposes. Due to the curved shape in a tilted plane X-rays are typically oriented with ~15° upwards facing tilt from the front. In more severe cases, a computerized tomography (CAT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is taken. However, the standard method of diagnosis through ultrasound imaging performed in the emergency room may be equally accurate in children.
Medication can be prescribed to ease the pain and tetanus vaccination for any skin breaks. Antibiotics may be used if the bone breaks through the skin. Often, they are treated without surgery. In severe cases, surgery may be done.
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