Complications

Complications in the treatment of clavicle fracture can occur in both conservative and surgical therapy. Complications in conservative therapy: Complications in surgical therapy:

Slipping of the fracture fracture (secondary dislocation)
False joint formation (pseudarthrosis)
Excessive callus formation with vascular nerve compression
Cosmetically disturbing callus formation (distended clavicle)
Vascular and nerve injuries (very rare): Below the collarbone, the vessels and nerves supplying the arm run in relative proximity. If the fracture stabilizing plate is to rest on the clavicle, vertical drill holes for the plate screws must be made.
This can lead to vascular and nerve injury. It is therefore recommended that the plate be placed on the clavicle from the front. The risk of vascular nerve injury is lower with the same stability.
Infection: The soft tissue mantle over the collarbone is very thin.
The risk of postoperative infection is not insignificant.
Metal loosening: Metal loosening or even metal breakage occurs. Strong static and dynamic forces act on the collarbone.
False joint formation (pseudarthrosis): If the clavicle has not healed to the bone after 6 months, this is referred to as delayed healing of the fracture and is also referred to as permanent false joint formation. Due to the lack of bone healing, a pathological residual mobility remains in the fracture area, therefore false joint.
In the case of a painful false joint, corrective surgery is required (revision surgery). In order to stabilize the fracture, either spongy bone (cancellous bone) is added to smaller false joint zones or, in larger ones, a bone chip from the body’s own iliac crest is interposed and plated.
Cosmetically disturbing scarring: Particularly in young people and skin incisions parallel to the collarbone, the chest muscle tension can lead to excessive, cosmetically disturbing scarring. For this reason, the sabre cut is recommended for young people.
Due to its vertical course, it is not exposed to such pulling forces. A disadvantage can be a poorer overview during the operation.

Usually the collarbone fracture heals well and complications rarely occur. Poorly positioned fractures can also be treated well nowadays by means of a dislocation or surgery.

However, if this is not performed, the bone can grow together at an angle and form a false joint. A permanent elevation at the edge of the fracture can be palpated from the outside.Externally visible deformities and postural defects can be the result. Especially in children, a wrongly healed fracture can lead to growth disturbances and asymmetries of the shoulders.