Sports medicine stats: Surgical fixation of clavicle fractures
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
Clavicle fractures are common injures and account for approximately 2.6%-5% of all fractures in adults. Traditionally, nonsurgical management has been favored as the treatment for most clavicular fractures. However, recent evidence has emerged indicating that operative fixation presents lower nonunion rates, better functional outcomes, improved cosmesis, and greater patient satisfaction compared with closed treatment.
A study looking at the surgery to openly reduce the fracture and fix it with a plate and screws showed that 94% returned to the same level of sports. The mean time to return-to-sport was 68 days. Nine (16.6%) of the cases returned to sports before 6 weeks after surgery, 40 (74%) returned between 6 and 12 weeks, and 5 patients (9.2%) returned 12 weeks after surgery. Hardware removal was necessary in 5 patients (9.3%).
-Source: TheAmerican Journal of Sports Medicine, published online before print December 9, 2014
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
has been favored as the treatment for most clavicular fractures. However, recent evidence has emerged indicating that operative fixation presents lower nonunion rates, better functional outcomes, improved cosmesis, and greater patient satisfaction compared with closed treatment.