Is Surgery Necessary For Collarbone Fracture?

Posted on Fri, 1 Aug 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 2 Aug 2014 Answered on

Mon, 25 Aug 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : MY 19 YEAR OLD GRANDSON HAS A DISPLACED COLLARBONE FRACTURE. THE FRACTURE IS FRAGMENTED AND ABOUT 2-3 CM DISPLACED. SHOULD HE HAVE SURGERY TO PUT A PLATE IN IT? HE IS A VERY ACTIVE BOY ;INTO LOTS OF SPORTS. HE FRACTURED HIS COLLARBONE WHILE ON HIS DIRT BIKE.
MOTORIZED.

Answered by Dr. Karl Logan (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Shortening of more than 2cm

Detailed Answer:
hi thanks for your question. the current perceived wisdom is that in a sporting patient with more than 2cm of shortening in the clavicle it should be fixed to preserve function and shoulder strength. best wishes

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar