2. EPIDEMIOLOGY
• Clavicle fractures account for 2.6% to 12%
of all fractures and for 44% to 66% of
fractures about the shoulder.
• Middle third fractures account for 80% of
all clavicle fractures, whereas fractures of
the lateral and medial third of the clavicle
account for 15% and 5%, respectively.
3. MECHANISM OF INJURY
Direct impact to the anterior - superior
shoulder of moderate – high force.
1. Fall from height
2. Motor vehicle accident
3. Sports injury
4. Blow to the point of the
shoulder
5.Rarely, a direct injury to the clavicle
7. Classification
• Craig’s classification.
• Group I: fracture of the middle third
(80%).
• Group II: fracture of the lateral one
third(15%).
• This is subclassified according to the
location of the coracoclavicular ligaments
relative to the fracture:
8. • Type I: Minimal displacement:
interligamentous fracture between the
coracoclavicular and AC ligaments;
ligaments still intact
• Type II: Displaced secondary to a fracture
medial to the coracoclavicular ligaments:
higher incidence of nonunion
• Type III: Fracture of the articular surface
• Type IV: ligament intact to the periostium,
with displacement of proximal fragment
• Type V: communited
9. • Group III: fracture of the medial one third
(5%).
• Type I: Minimal displacement
• Type II: Displaced
• Type III: Intraarticular
• Type IV: Epiphyseal separation
• Type V: Comminuted
11. Physiotherapy for a clavicle
fracture
• Physiotherapy treatment for patients with
this condition is important to ensure an
optimal outcome and allow a safe return to
activity. Treatment may comprise:
• education
• rest from aggravating activities
• the use of a sling or figure-of-8 bandage
• electrotherapy
12. • protective and postural taping
• exercises to improve posture, flexibility
and strength
• activity modification advice
• a graduated return to activity plan
• soft tissue massage
• joint mobilization