The clavicle (collarbone) is one of the most commonly fractured bones due to various causes. It accounts for approximately 2.6% to 4% of all fractures and about 44% of shoulder girdle fractures, with nearly 70% of cases occurring in males. Among clavicle fractures, mid-shaft fractures constitute approximately 80% of all cases, of which 48% are displaced and 19% are comminuted.
Approximately 87% of clavicle fractures result from falls or direct trauma transmitted through an outstretched hand. Sports-related injuries are among the most common causes. Non-surgical treatment is generally recommended for clavicle fractures because of its favorable outcomes and lower complication rates. However, patients with severe displacement, shortening greater than 2 cm, or significant comminution may experience dissatisfaction with conservative treatment.
Surgical intervention is indicated in cases of open fractures, fractures associated with neurovascular compromise, multiple fracture fragments, skin tenting, and other complicated injuries. Relative indications for surgery include floating shoulder injuries, polytrauma, and neuromuscular disorders.
One potential complication of surgical management is injury to the supraclavicular nerve. Plate fixation may also result in numbness around the chest and shoulder region. Previous studies have reported that approximately 15% of patients experience soft-tissue complications, 8% experience non-union, 6% develop implant-related complications, and 2% experience scar-related problems following surgery.
Another study demonstrated that surgical treatment achieves a union rate of approximately 96.7%, whereas non-surgical management may result in a non-union rate of around 15%. The reported risk of infection following surgical treatment ranges from 0.4% to 7.8%.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 24 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria at Enam Medical College Hospital, Dhaka. The study period extended from June 2023 to July 2025.
Only patients diagnosed with mid-shaft clavicular fractures were included in the study. Patients with neurological disorders and severe chronic diseases were excluded.
Data were collected using a structured data collection form and were carefully cross-checked to ensure completeness, consistency, and accuracy. Strict confidentiality of patient information was maintained throughout the study, and anonymity was preserved during data analysis.
All ethical considerations were properly addressed, and appropriate measures were taken to ensure the quality of the collected data. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0.