Orthopedic & Muscular System: Current Research
Open Access

Abstract

The Rising Incidence of Operative Treatment of Mid-shaft Clavicle Fractures

Alan J Micev

Introduction: To evaluate whether the incidence of operative fixation of mid-shaft clavicle fractures has increased.

Methods: State Emergency Department Databases (SEDD) and State Ambulatory Surgery Databases (SASD) were used to identify patients presenting with mid-shaft clavicle fractures from 2005 to 2010 in California and New York State. Patients were identified by International Classification of Disease, Ninth Edition (ICD-9) and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to illustrate any demographic trends regarding patients undergoing operative fixation.

Results: Operative fixation of mid-shaft clavicle fractures increased by 368% and by 349% in California and New York, respectively, while the number of patients with clavicle fractures presenting to emergency departments remained stable.

Conclusion: The incidence of operative fixation of mid-shaft clavicle fractures has increased substantially at a similar rate in two states over a short period of time.