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

Stefano Gumina; Stefano Carbone; Giuseppe Polizzotti; Carlo Paglialunga; Jacopo Preziosi Standoli; Vittorio Candela

doi:10.7759/cureus.18008

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

Cureus. 2021 Sep 15;13(9):e18008. doi: 10.7759/cureus.18008. eCollection 2021 Sep.

Authors

Stefano Gumina¹, Stefano Carbone¹, Giuseppe Polizzotti², Carlo Paglialunga³, Jacopo Preziosi Standoli⁴, Vittorio Candela⁵

Affiliations

¹ Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, ITA.
² Orthopaedics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, ITA.
³ Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Sapienza University of Rome, Latina, ITA.
⁴ Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, ITA.
⁵ Orthopedics and Traumatology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, ITA.

Abstract

Background Variable epidemiological data are known on medial clavicle fractures (MCFs). Aim To obtain demographic information regarding the etiopathogenesis of MCFs. Materials and methods All fractures were radiographically evaluated. Age; gender; side; date of fracture; fragment dislocation; associated fractures; fracture mechanism were collected. Three age groups were distinguished. Results 1096 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). Conclusions Medial 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.

Keywords: clavicle fracture; epidemiology of medial clavicle fractures; mechanism of medial clavicle fracture; medial clavicle fracture; medial clavicle fractures demographics.