Epidemiology and Long-term Outcomes of Lateral End Clavicle Fractures in an Adolescent Population

Description

In this presentation, Rory Teed, a medical student from the University of Edinburgh, discusses the epidemiology and functional outcomes of adolescent lateral clavicle fractures. Rory introduces the context by noting the rarity of these fractures in adolescents compared to the more common midshaft clavicle fractures. The aim is to examine the incidence and recovery outcomes after non-operative treatment of such injuries, given that existing literature largely focuses on adults.



The study spans a retrospective review of 677 adolescent clavicle fractures over a decade, with 59 classified as lateral-end fractures, yielding an incidence rate of 0.17 per 100,000 per year. Fractures were categorized into Neer subgroups, with the most common being undisplaced type I. Non-operative management was common, with a notable return to sports and overall satisfaction rates among patients, indicating good functional recovery despite some cosmetic concerns.



Rory presents insights into the treatment approaches, revealing that only a small percentage required surgical intervention, and those treated non-operatively showed promising overall health outcomes. The significant finding is that nonunion rates were exceedingly low in adolescents, suggesting differences in healing dynamics compared to adults. Rory concludes with the observation that while cosmetic issues may persist, the functional outcomes justify the non-operative approach for this population. The presentation ends with a Q&A session, engaging attendees actively in discussion.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-221516

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