Obligatory medical device diagnostics.
- X-ray of the thorax (radiographic thorax/chest), in two planes.
- Radiographs of the shoulder and clavicle in a.p. projection (radiograph in which the beam path is from front (anterior) to back (posterior) with respect to the body), and a tangential radiograph of the clavicle
- Fracture sonography (ultrasound of bone fractures) to visualize pathologies (“pathological changes”) visible on the cortical surface (tubular, outer bone) as well as to assess axial deviations and soft tissue injuries (hematomas/bruises, joint effusions) – especially in pediatric traumatology/growing age:
Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics and mandatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic clarification.
- Computed tomography (CT; sectional imaging procedure (X-ray images from different directions with computer-based evaluation), particularly well suited for the depiction of bony injuries) of the affected body region for surgical planning.
Important note
- Radiographs due to clavicle fracture standing upright or sitting show the extent of dislocation (displacement or twisting of bones or parts of bones against each other) more clearly than radiographs taken with the patient lying down. This is of great importance because significant vertical dislocation is a relative indication for surgical intervention (surgery); the same applies to shortening by more than 2 cm.
