Non-operative Management of a Rare Segmental Clavicle Fracture in an Adolescent Patient: A Case Report

A 12-year-old Caucasian male presented to the clinic with a displaced, segmental left clavicle fracture involving the distal clavicle after falling from a zip line. He was treated non-operatively in a sling and returned to normal activities without restrictions after three months. At one year, the patient was able to maintain his pre-injury baseline function without limitations of his left shoulder. While no clear guidelines for operative treatment of segmental clavicle fractures in the adolescent population exist in the current literature, this report illustrates an excellent patient outcome following conservative therapy of a segmental clavicle fracture involving the middle one-third and distal clavicle in a young adolescent with open physis.

Automated summary

A 12-year-old Caucasian boy suffered a displaced, segmental left clavicle fracture after falling from a zip line. He was treated conservatively and achieved a good outcome with no limitations in shoulder function after one year. Though there are no established guidelines for surgical treatment of segmental clavicle fractures in adolescents, this case demonstrates successful conservative therapy.