2021 Annual Meeting Shoulder Access Pass-Operative Versus Non-Operative Treatment of Severely Shortened or Comminuted Clavicle Fractures in Older Adolescent Athletes: Results from A Prospective, Multicenter, Level 2 Cohort Study

Operative Versus Non-Operative Treatment of Severely Shortened or Comminuted Clavicle Fractures in Older Adolescent Athletes: Results from A Prospective, Multicenter, Level 2 Cohort Study

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Video Summary

This prospective multicenter study examined adolescents (ages 14-18) with severe mid-shaft clavicle fractures involved in sports. Comparing operative and nonoperative treatments across 137 patients, results showed no significant differences in complications, healing rates, or patient-reported outcomes over two years. While surgery enabled athletes to return to sport about 3 weeks earlier, final return-to-sport rates and performance levels were similar between groups. The findings suggest that for severely shortened or comminuted clavicle fractures in older adolescent athletes, surgery offers faster initial recovery but does not improve long-term outcomes compared to nonoperative management.

Asset Caption

Dr. David Spence

Keywords

adolescents

mid-shaft clavicle fractures

operative treatment

nonoperative treatment

return to sport