The Rare Medial-End Clavicle Fractures: Epidemiological Study on Inhabitants of a Suburban Area.

Abstract

BackgroundVariable epidemiological data are known on medial clavicle fractures (MCFs).AimTo obtain demographic information regarding the etiopathogenesis of MCFs.Materials and methodsAll fractures were radiographically evaluated. Age; gender; side; date of fracture; fragment dislocation; associated fractures; fracture mechanism were collected. Three age groups were distinguished.Results1096 patients were enrolled: 29 (2.6%) had an MCF. Nineteen (66%) were males; mean age was 51.6 years (SD±24.4; range: 18-87). The right side was involved in 19 cases (66%). Nineteen fractures (66%) were un-displaced. Five patients (16.6%) had associated fractures.Accidental falls represent the main cause of fracture. In advanced age (Group III), simple fall was the only cause of fracture. On the occasion of a fall, the right side was significantly more involved (p <0.05). Sports injuries were responsible for 22.2% of fractures, but for 42.9% of fractures in younger patients (Group I). Traffic accidents were responsible for five fractures (16.7%).During the sunny seasons, the highest number of fractures occurred; the vast majority of fractures (83.3%) occurred on working days (p <0.05).ConclusionsMedial clavicle fractures represent 2.6% of all clavicle fractures. Middle-aged males and the right side are more involved. Two-thirds of fractures are un-displaced. Accidental falls represent the main cause of fracture. During sunny seasons, the highest number of fractures occurred.