Clavicular fractures are common fractures usually resulting from direct trauma. The middle third of the bone is injured 80 % of the time. Adjacent vessels and nerves are often injured as well. These injuries commonly result from seatbelt use in a frontal collision.

A	AP radiograph of the left clavicle. There is an acute mid-clavicular fracture.
B	AP radiograph of the left clavicle. This particular fracture has not healed, indicating nonunion.

Links to online textbooks:

• Wheeless' Orthopedics: discussion of clavicle fractures

Links to online cases:

• Emedicine.com
• Mindquest.net

References:

• Match RM: Clavicle fractures Contemp Orthop. 1990 Jul;21(1):17-8.           [See related articles]
• Chan KY, Jupiter JB, Leffert RD, Marti R: Clavicle malunion J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 1999 Jul-Aug;8(4):287-90.           [See related articles]