Technique Spotlight: ORIF Midshaft Clavicle Fracture with Plate and Screws

Indications

Indications for clavicle fixation include open fractures, skin tenting or soft tissue compromise, significant displacement >2 cm, shortening >2 cm, clinical deformity, significantly associated scapular winging from malrotation, segmental fractures, “floating shoulder” injuries and those with significant comminution. Patient factors are also important considerations including patient activity status and motivation to rapidly return to sport or work or polytrauma injuries with the need for early upper extremity weight-bearing. We generally allow modified weight-bearing postoperatively including platform weight-bearing in patients with concomitant lower extremity injuries. Contraindications include patients who are medically unstable to undergo surgery, patients with substance abuse disorders, and those unlikely to benefit from surgery.

Technique