Epidemiology

​Clavicle fractures comprise 2% to 4% of adult fractures and are most common in active males under 30 years of age.[6]​ They are caused by a fall/impact on the unprotected shoulder or more rarely a direct blow to the clavicle itself.[7]​ A large prospective cohort study found that in adolescents, clavicle fractures occurred more commonly in males during sports, secondary to a direct blow to the shoulder (60%), and on the person’s non-dominant side (56% vs. 44% on the dominant side).[8]​ An observational study from the Swedish Fracture Register found that most clavicle fractures occurred in males, with a male:female ratio of 2.2:1, although in people ≥65 years clavicle fractures were more common in women than in men (male:female ratio of 0.8:1).[5]​ The fractures were more frequent in younger rather than older patients; the 15-24 year age group represented 21% of the study population. The fractures occurred more frequently during weekends, particularly Saturdays, and over the course of the year there was a peak in the summer months.[5]

The midshaft of the clavicle is the most common fracture location and accounts for 80% of all clavicle fractures.[9]​ The remaining fracture locations include the distal clavicle (20% to 30%) and the medial aspect of the clavicle (up to 10%).[10][11]

Clavicle fractures are the most common fracture in the paediatric patient population, accounting for 5% to 15% of all paediatric fractures, with 90% occurring in the clavicle midshaft.[12][13]

Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer