Course Description:

The clavicle, otherwise known as the collar bone, is one of the most commonly fractured bones, accounting for 5% to 10% of all fractures. The injury is more common in newborns during delivery, physically active individuals, children, and older adults at risk for falls. Most clavicle fractures result from a fall onto the tip of the shoulder. Clavicle fractures are categorized by their location (i.e., medial third, middle third, or distal third), with most clavicle fractures (69% to 82%) occurring at the middle third of the clavicle. The management of patients with a clavicle fracture requires not only that physical therapists (PTs) consider potential complications, but also that the fracture be protected to enable proper healing. Nonunion complication rate for clavicle fractures is 5.9%. This common injury requires special attention due to the potentially devastating cosmetic and functional deficits that can result with inadequate treatment.