Subtopic Deep Dive
Clavicle Fracture Epidemiology
Research Guide
What is Clavicle Fracture Epidemiology?
Clavicle fracture epidemiology examines incidence rates, risk factors, age-specific patterns, and injury mechanisms of clavicle fractures using trauma registries and population cohorts.
Key studies report highest incidence in young males under 20 years from sports and traffic trauma (Robinson, 1998; 889 citations). Displaced midshaft fractures predominate, comprising the most operated type in large registries like Sweden's with 2,422 cases (Kihlström et al., 2017; 224 citations). Italian cohorts confirm bimodal peaks in youth and elderly (Postacchini et al., 2002; 971 citations).
Why It Matters
Clavicle fracture epidemiology identifies prevention targets for rising sports injuries in young males and falls in elderly populations (Robinson, 1998). Swedish registry data stratify by displacement and surgery rates, informing resource allocation in trauma centers (Kihlström et al., 2017). Postacchini et al. (2002) highlight sex and age disparities, guiding public health campaigns against traffic trauma.
Key Research Challenges
Heterogeneous Classification Systems
Studies use varying schemes like Robinson or Allman, complicating meta-analyses across cohorts (Robinson, 1998). Swedish registry notes inconsistencies in midshaft vs. distal coding (Kihlström et al., 2017). Standardization remains elusive despite calls in reviews (Wijdicks et al., 2012).
Limited Prospective Cohorts
Most data derive from retrospective trauma clinics, risking selection bias (Postacchini et al., 2002). Edinburgh series of 1,000 cases was observational without controls (Robinson, 1998). Prospective multicenter registries are scarce beyond Sweden (Kihlström et al., 2017).
Underreported Non-Displaced Fractures
Registries capture operated cases, missing conservative treatments (Kihlström et al., 2017). Distal type II fractures show 10-44% nonunion underreported in adults (Banerjee et al., 2011). Population-based imaging cohorts are needed for true incidence.
Essential Papers
Epidemiology of clavicle fractures
F. Postacchini, Stefano Gumina, Pierfrancesco De Santis et al. · 2002 · Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · 971 citations
Fractures of the clavicle in the adult: Epidemiology and Classification
C. M. Robinson · 1998 · Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - British Volume · 889 citations
From 1988 to 1994 a consecutive series of 1000 fractures of the adult clavicle was treated in the Orthopaedic Trauma Clinic of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. In males, the annual incidence was h...
Clavicle fractures: epidemiology, classification and treatment of 2 422 fractures in the Swedish Fracture Register; an observational study
Caroline Kihlström, Michael Möller, Katarina Lönn et al. · 2017 · BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders · 224 citations
The largest patient group was young males. Displaced midshaft fractures were the most common type of clavicle fracture as well as the most frequently operated type of fracture.
Systematic review of the complications of plate fixation of clavicle fractures
Frans-Jasper Wijdicks, O.A.J. van der Meijden, Peter J. Millett et al. · 2012 · Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery · 221 citations
The quantity of relevant high evidence studies is low. With low nonunion and malunion rates, plate fixation can be a safe treatment option for acute dislocated midshaft clavicle fractures, but comp...
Epidemiology of Isolated Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocation
Claudio Chillemi, Vincenzo Franceschini, Luca Dei Giudici et al. · 2013 · Emergency Medicine International · 169 citations
Background . Acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation is a common shoulder problem. However, information about the basic epidemiological features of this condition is scarce. The aim of this study ...
A comparison of nonoperative and operative treatment of type II distal clavicle fractures.
Andrew S. Rokito, Joseph D. Zuckerman, Jeffrey M. Shaari et al. · 2003 · PubMed · 159 citations
A retrospective study was performed to compare nonoperative and operative treatments of Type II distal clavicle fractures. From a total of 30 diagnosed patients, 16 were identified as receiving non...
Management of Distal Clavicle Fractures
Rahul Banerjee, Brian R. Waterman, Jeff Padalecki et al. · 2011 · Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons · 158 citations
Most clavicle fractures heal without difficulty. However, radiographic nonunion after distal clavicle fracture has been reported in 10% to 44% of patients. Type II distal clavicle fractures, which ...
Reading Guide
Foundational Papers
Start with Postacchini et al. (2002; 971 citations) for incidence basics and Robinson (1998; 889 citations) for 1,000-case adult classification, establishing age/sex patterns.
Recent Advances
Study Kihlström et al. (2017; 224 citations) for 2,422-case registry on displaced midshaft trends and Banerjee et al. (2011) for distal nonunion risks.
Core Methods
Retrospective cohort stratification by age, sex, displacement (Robinson, 1998); national fracture registers (Kihlström et al., 2017); systematic reviews of fixation outcomes (Wijdicks et al., 2012).
How PapersFlow Helps You Research Clavicle Fracture Epidemiology
Discover & Search
Research Agent uses searchPapers and citationGraph to map from Postacchini et al. (2002; 971 citations) to descendants like Kihlström et al. (2017), revealing Swedish registry trends. exaSearch uncovers cohort studies by mechanism keywords; findSimilarPapers links Robinson (1998) to AC dislocation epidemiology (Chillemi et al., 2013).
Analyze & Verify
Analysis Agent applies readPaperContent to extract incidence tables from Robinson (1998), then runPythonAnalysis with pandas to compute age-stratified rates across Postacchini (2002) and Kihlström (2017). verifyResponse via CoVe cross-checks claims against abstracts; GRADE grading scores Robinson's 1,000-case series as moderate evidence for male youth peaks.
Synthesize & Write
Synthesis Agent detects gaps like elderly incidence via contradiction flagging between youth-focused Robinson (1998) and recent registries. Writing Agent uses latexEditText, latexSyncCitations for Postacchini (2002), and latexCompile to generate stratified incidence tables; exportMermaid diagrams displacement patterns from Kihlström (2017).
Use Cases
"Plot age-specific clavicle fracture incidence from major cohorts"
Research Agent → searchPapers('clavicle fracture epidemiology') → Analysis Agent → runPythonAnalysis(pandas plot from Robinson 1998 + Kihlström 2017 tables) → matplotlib incidence graph output.
"Draft LaTeX review on midshaft fracture risks in sports"
Synthesis Agent → gap detection (Postacchini 2002 gaps) → Writing Agent → latexEditText(structured section) → latexSyncCitations(Kihlström 2017) → latexCompile → PDF with risk factor table.
"Find analysis code for clavicle fracture registries"
Research Agent → paperExtractUrls(Kihlström 2017) → Code Discovery → paperFindGithubRepo(registry stats) → githubRepoInspect → Python scripts for displacement rate computation.
Automated Workflows
Deep Research workflow conducts systematic review: searchPapers(50+ clavicle epidemiology) → citationGraph → GRADE all → structured incidence report with Robinson (1998) benchmarks. DeepScan analyzes mechanisms via 7-step CoVe: readPaperContent(Postacchini 2002) → verifyResponse → runPythonAnalysis(sex ratios). Theorizer generates hypotheses on rising elderly rates from cohort trends (Kihlström et al., 2017).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clavicle fracture epidemiology?
It studies incidence, risk factors, and mechanisms from registries, showing peaks in young males from sports/traffic (Robinson, 1998; Postacchini et al., 2002).
What are main methods used?
Retrospective trauma clinic series (Robinson, 1998: 1,000 cases) and national registries (Kihlström et al., 2017: 2,422 fractures) with age/mechanism stratification.
What are key papers?
Postacchini et al. (2002; 971 citations) on Italian cohorts; Robinson (1998; 889 citations) on adult Edinburgh series; Kihlström et al. (2017; 224 citations) on Swedish registry.
What open problems exist?
Standardizing classifications across studies; capturing non-displaced cases; prospective elderly cohorts beyond retrospective biases (Wijdicks et al., 2012; Banerjee et al., 2011).
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Part of the Shoulder and Clavicle Injuries Research Guide