Special status of lateral clavicular fracture

Fractures of the lateral clavicle have different biomechanical conditions compared with fractures of the medial and central third; they therefore demand different therapy. Some 237 patients with fractures of the clavicle were followed, of which 75 (33%) were located in the lateral third of the clavicle. At the 5-year follow-up after exclusively conservative treatment, good results were found for Neer types I and III and 3 Jäger/Breitner type IIb fractures, while 4 out of 13 Jäger/Breitner type II a fractures ended in pseudarthroses (31%). Conservative treatment is recommended for Neer types I and III, as well as for the more stable Jäger/Breitner type II b and old II a fractures. Therefore, a new bandage is presented. It prevents the posterior and upward dislocation of the proximal fragment by vertical compression and rotation of the distal fragment by fixation of the arm. Open reduction and internal fixation by preferably extraarticular implants is recommended for unstable and dislocated Jäger/Breitner type II a fractures. For fractures of the lateral clavicle, good results can be achieved when the instability is recognized and adequately treated.