Sequelae of clavicle fracture in children, beware of deformity

If an infant or young child has a clavicle fracture, it is very important to choose the correct treatment method. If the treatment is incorrect, it is easy to leave sequelae, which will affect the child's future life. These sequelae can be mild or severe.

1. Sequelae of clavicle fracture surgery

Postoperative precautions: Avoid lateral decubitus position for intramedullary fixation and plate fixation; after intramedullary fixation, drip alcohol into the needle hole 1 to 2 times a day and maintain sterile isolation (cover with sterile dressing) to prevent infection; the clavicle has a small diameter, and after the fracture heals and the plate is removed, the presence of the fixation hole has a greater impact on bone strength, and re-fracture should be prevented (generally takes 8 to 12 weeks to recover).

Start exercise therapy early. Start exercise therapy at the distal end of the fracture (such as exercise of the forearm and hand of the affected limb) early, gradually transition to partial load-bearing at the fracture site, and then gradually increase the load until full load is borne.

Most clavicle fractures can be treated non-surgically. However, for clavicle fractures with obvious displacement, it is difficult to achieve a good reduction of the fracture by manual reduction alone, and external fixation cannot maintain a good alignment of the fracture. It can only relieve the excessive abnormal movement of the bone ends and maintain the fracture ends in a certain deformed position for healing, and obvious local deformity may remain. If clavicle fracture in children is not handled properly, it can easily affect the child's future physical development and even affect the child's body shape. Sequelae of clavicle fracture surgery

2. What is a clavicle fracture?

The clavicle is located at the top front of the thorax, and its entire length is located under the skin. It is the only bony structure connecting the upper limb girdle to the trunk. It is easy to suffer fractures due to external forces, which is particularly common in children. Clavicle fractures account for 5.98% of all fractures in the body. The clavicle is a long tubular bone that bridges the space between the shoulder blade and the trunk.

3. Symptoms and signs of clavicle fracture

The clinical manifestations are local swelling and deformity at the clavicle fracture site. The proximal part of the fracture tilts upward, and the upper arm and shoulder fall downward. Children often lean their affected upper arm against the chest wall or support their affected elbow with their healthy hand because of shoulder pain. The child's head is often tilted toward the affected side to relieve the pain caused by the stretching of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The fracture site is tender to palpation, and bone crepitus and abnormal clavicle movement may be felt.