Clavicle fracture (peds)

This page is for pediatric patients; see clavicle fracture for adult patients

Background

• Newborn
  • Usually result from birth injury
• Fracture in <2 year-old should raise possibility of abuse

Clinical Features

Newborn

• Upper extremity palsy (brachial plexus injury)
• "Pseudoparalysis" secondary to pain
• Callous at clavicle during first 2-3wk of life

Middle Third fracture

• Most common

Medial clavicle fracture

• Rare
• If displaced anterior: tenderness and palpable protrusion of distal end
• If displaced posterior: compression of trachea/esophagus possible

Distal clavicle fracture

• Rare
• Due to direct trauma

Differential Diagnosis

Thoracic Trauma

• Airway/Pulmonary
  • Bronchial injury
  • Diaphragmatic trauma
  • Hemothorax
  • Pneumomediastinum
  • Pulmonary contusion
  • Tracheal injury
  • Trachobronchial injury
  • Traumatic pneumothorax
    • Tension pneumothorax
• Cardiac/Vascular
  • Cardiac injury
    • Blunt cardiac injury
      • Cardiac contusion
      • Commotio cordis
    • Penetrating cardiac injury
    • Cardiac tamponade
  • Traumatic aortic transection
• Musculoskeletal
  • Clavicle fracture
    • Clavicle fracture (peds)
  • Rib fracture
    • Flail chest
  • Scapular fracture
  • Scapulothoracic dissociation
  • Sternoclavicular dislocation
  • Sternum fracture
  • Thoracic and lumbar fractures and dislocations
• Other
  • Esophageal injury or Perforation
  • Pneumomediastinum
  • Pneumopericardium
  • Traumatic asphyxia

Evaluation

Left clavicle fracture on xray.

Workup

• Assess distal pulse, motor, and sensation
• X-ray
  • May be seen on chest x-ray, shoulder x-ray, or dedicated clavicle films (preferred)
• If high suspicion and no fracture on plain films, consider CT

Diagnosis

• Fractured segment:
  • Type I: Middle third
  • Type II: Lateral third
  • Type III: Medial third

Management

Neonatal

• No treatment necessary

Middle Third

• Arm sling x 3-4wk
  • Adequate even for displaced and overlapping fracture

Medial

• Anterior displacement: ORIF
• Posterior displacement: emergent reduction by ortho or trauma

Distal

• Minimal displacement: sling
• Significant displacement: ORIF

Disposition

Neonatal

• Discharge home

Middle third

• Routine follow up with primary care provider

Medial

• Ortho consult

Distal

• Depends on degree of displacement (routine follow up vs consult)

See Also

• Fractures and dislocations (peds)