Quick Summary
- A patient injured his clavicle in an accident.
- The first X-ray did not clearly show the fracture.
- He continued to have severe pain, so he took another X-ray.
- The second X-ray clearly showed the clavicle fracture.
- An orthopedic surgeon identified the fracture and took a special X-ray view.
- Since the fracture was comminuted, Dr. Mithran planned fixation with a pre-contoured plate and screws.
- The patient was planned for about four weeks of immobilization.
Why Was the Clavicle Fracture Not Visible on the First X-Ray?
A patient met with an accident and sustained an injury around the clavicle. Suspecting a fracture, he went to a hospital and underwent an X-ray.
The first X-ray did not clearly show the fracture. The hospital told him that nothing was wrong and sent him away.
However, the patient continued to experience severe pain near the clavicle. The pain became unbearable, so he went to another hospital and underwent another X-ray.
The second X-ray clearly showed the fracture.
Dr. Mithran explains that the fracture actually existed in the first X-ray. If someone looked closely, they could see the fracture. The bone had broken and become superimposed, which made the fracture difficult to identify.
The patient’s continued severe pain led him to seek another evaluation. The second X-ray then clearly showed the fracture.
How the Clavicle Fracture Was Identified
The patient did not initially meet an orthopedic surgeon, so the first hospital missed the fracture.
When an orthopedic surgeon examined the patient, the surgeon correctly identified the fracture. The surgeon also took a special X-ray view and identified the clavicle fracture.
This helped the doctor understand the injury more clearly.
In this case, the first X-ray contained the fracture, but the superimposed broken bone made it difficult to see. The second X-ray showed the fracture clearly and helped the orthopedic surgeon identify it.
The doctor could then decide on the appropriate treatment approach for the fracture.
When Does Clavicle Bone Treatment Require Surgery?
Not every clavicle fracture requires surgery.
Dr. Mithran explains that the nature of the fracture influences the treatment approach. In this particular case, the fracture of the clavicle was comminuted.
Because the fracture was comminuted, Dr. Mithran planned to fix it with a plate.
Dr. Mithran also explains that if the fracture had been minor and not comminuted, the doctor could have treated it without surgery.
So, the treatment approach in this case depended on the type of fracture that the orthopedic surgeon identified.
Clavicle Fracture Treatment Approach Explained by Dr. Mithran
| Fracture situation | Treatment approach |
| Minor fracture that is not comminuted | Can be treated without surgery |
| Comminuted clavicle fracture | Can require fixation with a plate |
| Fracture requiring fixation | Surgeon places the plate along the natural contour of the bone and fixes it with screws |
Clavicle Break Treatment: Why Was Surgery Needed in This Case?
A clavicle break does not automatically mean that the doctor needs to perform surgery.
Dr. Mithran explains this through the patient’s case. If the fracture had been minor and not comminuted, the doctor could have treated it without surgery.
However, this patient’s fracture was comminuted. Because of the nature of the fracture, Dr. Mithran planned fixation with a plate.
The orthopedic surgeon therefore considered the fracture pattern before choosing the treatment approach.
The doctor then explained how a pre-contoured plate would help fix the fractured bone and achieve stable fixation.
How Plate Fixation Is Used for a Collarbone Fracture
The clavicle is also known as the collarbone. For this patient’s fracture, Dr. Mithran planned to use a pre-contoured plate.
Dr. Mithran explains that the plate matches the natural shape of the bone. The surgeon places the plate neatly along the contour of the bone and fixes it with screws.
This approach gives the fracture stable fixation.
The pre-contoured plate follows the natural shape of the bone. The surgeon positions it along the bone and uses screws to fix it securely.
For this particular comminuted fracture, Dr. Mithran planned plate fixation instead of treating the fracture without surgery.
Medical Reference
A study published in the International Journal of Research in Orthopaedics discusses the treatment of displaced clavicle fractures using pre-contoured locking compression plates. The study evaluates operative fixation of clavicle fractures using pre-contoured plates.
What Happens After the Fracture Is Fixed?
After the surgeon fixes the fracture, Dr. Mithran explains that the patient can leave the hospital the next day.
Dr. Mithran also states that the patient will need immobilization for about four weeks.
For this particular patient, the treatment involves fixing the comminuted fracture with a pre-contoured plate and screws. The plate follows the natural contour of the bone and provides stable fixation.
Dr. Mithran planned immobilization for approximately four weeks after the procedure.
These details come directly from Dr. Mithran’s explanation of this patient’s treatment.
Why Choose Dr. M. Mithran for Clavicle Fracture Treatment?
Dr. M. Mithran is an Orthopaedic & Joint Replacement Surgeon at Muthu Hospital Madurai.
In this case, Dr. Mithran explains how the team identified a clavicle fracture that the first X-ray did not clearly show. He also explains how the team used a special X-ray view to identify the fracture.
He explains the treatment decision for the comminuted fracture and the use of a pre-contoured plate and screws. The plate follows the natural contour of the bone and provides stable fixation.
His explanation covers both the identification of the fracture and the treatment approach selected for this particular patient.
Frequently Asked Questions About a Broken Clavicle
1. Can a broken clavicle be missed on an X-ray?
In this case, the first X-ray did not clearly show the fracture. Dr. Mithran explains that the bone had broken and become superimposed, which made the fracture difficult to identify.
2. What happened when the patient had another X-ray?
The second X-ray clearly showed the fracture. An orthopedic surgeon then correctly identified the clavicle fracture and took a special X-ray view.
3. Does every clavicle fracture require surgery?
No. Dr. Mithran explains that a minor fracture that is not comminuted could receive treatment without surgery. In this case, the fracture was comminuted, so Dr. Mithran planned fixation with a plate.
4. What does clavicle bone treatment involve in this case?
Dr. Mithran planned to use a pre-contoured plate and screws. The plate matches the natural shape of the bone, and the surgeon places it along the bone’s contour before fixing it with screws.
5. What does Dr. Mithran mention about immobilization?
Dr. Mithran states that immobilization will be needed for about four weeks for this patient.
Consult Dr. M. Mithran for Clavicle Fracture Treatment
If you have a broken clavicle after an injury and want to understand your treatment options, consult Dr. M. Mithran at Muthu Hospital Madurai.
Dr. Mithran can assess the fracture and determine the appropriate treatment based on the nature of the injury. In the case discussed above, he identified a comminuted clavicle fracture and planned fixation using a pre-contoured plate and screws.
Consult Dr. M. Mithran to understand the right treatment approach for your clavicle fracture.
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About the Author
Dr. M. Mithran
Orthopaedic & Joint Replacement Surgeon
Dr. M. Mithran is an Orthopaedic & Joint Replacement Surgeon at Muthu Hospital Madurai. He has performed more than 2,500 successful joint replacement surgeries and specialises in knee replacement, hip replacement, joint replacement and orthopedic trauma care.
He received the Best Orthopaedic & Joint Replacement Surgeon of South India – 2025 award and is recognised as the region’s only surgeon performing bilateral joint replacement surgeries.
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