Case report: Floating-clavicle from the 17th century: the oldest case?

Traumatic Floating Clavicle: A Case Report and Updated Literature Review

Traumatic floating clavicle or bipolar dislocation is a rare injury. Herein, we present a case of ipsilateral sternoclavicular and acromioclavicular joint dislocation after a motorcycle accident. The patient was a 43-year-old man who presented with right shoulder pain and limited range of motion. The radiograph revealed superior displacement of the acromioclavicular joint dislocation and suspected ipsilateral sternoclavicular joint dislocation and a CT scan confirmed injuries to both the medial and lateral ends of the clavicle. Due to the patient being active and young, we considered operative treatment. The sternoclavicular joint was stabilized with FiberTape® suture (Arthrex, Naples, FL), and the acromioclavicular joint with Dog Bone™ Button (Arthrex) and suture cerclage. At the one-year follow-up, the patient reported excellent outcomes without complications. We also summarize the literature on this particular injury, including its characteristics, surgical options, and treatment outcomes.

Floating clavicle with medial clavicular fracture causing diagnostic dilemma - A case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

A rare case of a fracture of the medial third of the clavicle on the basis of the "floating clavicle" was hereby reported. To the best of our knowledge, this complex clavicle fracture has not yet been published. This article aims to describe, for the first time, a case of the diagnosis and treatment of this special clavicle fracture.

CASE PRESENTATION

The 26-year-old male patient suffered from a right sternoclavicular dislocation, a fracture of the right medial third of the clavicle, and a dislocation of the right acromioclavicular joint due to a car accident. In the course of treatment, he was missed diagnosis, and after active adjustment of treatment plan, good therapeutic effect was achieved.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

A special case of a floating clavicle was hereby reported. The missed diagnosis of sternoclavicular dislocation will cause great difficulties in the management of the disease. Based on the condition and clear diagnosis of the patient, surgical treatment was actively recommended for the patient. The selection of the implant for surgical treatment varied due to its specificity. A comprehensive literature review is also provided.

CONCLUSION

Clavicular bone fracture is common in clinical practice. At the same time, the injury of sternoclavicular joint and acromioclavicular joint should be vigilant. For the complex clavicle fracture reported in this paper, the computed tomography scan with 3D reconstruction can assist in diagnosis. In the case of definite diagnosis, the use of a contralateral distal clavicular plate in combination with the conventional clavicular hook plate is an appropriate choice.

Treatment of bipolar clavicle injury with internal plating: a case series and literature review

BACKGROUND

Bipolar clavicle injury is a rare injury involving any combination of dislocation and/or fracture at both ends of the clavicle. Most reports of bipolar clavicle injury have been based on a single case, and treatment of this injury remains controversial. The present study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of surgical management with internal plating for bipolar clavicle injuries.

METHODS

We performed internal plating to treat seven consecutive bipolar clavicle injuries with different injury patterns from May 2013 to June 2021. A clavicle hook plate was used for five sternoclavicular joint injuries (including a revision surgery) and three acromioclavicular joint dislocations, a T plate was used for one sternoclavicular joint injury, and an anatomic plate was used for one distal clavicle fracture. At follow-up, radiographs were assessed for bone alignment, joint congruity, fracture union or malunion, and implant failure or migration. Clinical evaluation included determination of the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score; Constant-Murley score; visual analog scale (VAS) score; and complications.

RESULTS

The patients were regularly followed up after the operation, and functional parameters were assessed over time. At a mean follow-up of 28.1 ± 22.0 months, each fracture had solid bone union, and each dislocation showed no sign of recurrent instability. The mean shoulder forward flexion was 159.3° ± 7.9°, and the mean DASH score was 8.8 ± 5.1. The mean Constant-Murley score was 88.9 ± 7.9, with six cases assessed as excellent and one case assessed as good. The mean VAS score was 1.0 ± 1.5, and the mean patient satisfaction score was 9.3 ± 0.8. No complications occurred, and each patient was able to resume their preinjury daily activity and was highly satisfied with their treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

In the present study, internal plating for bipolar clavicle injury allowed early mobilization and resulted in good joint function. We recommend fixation of the more severely affected side first because the other side may be passively reduced and acquire stability once the more severely affected side has been fixed. Internal fixation of the other end may therefore be unnecessary unless residual instability exists.

Floating clavicle after a high velocity biking accident: A case report of an acromioclavicular dislocation with simultaneous proximal clavicle fracture managed surgically

Introduction

Clavicle fractures and acromioclavicular joint dislocations are very common injuries. However, the combination of both, known as “floating clavicle” is extremely rare, with approximately 40 cases reported.

Presentation of case

We report a case of a healthy 51-year-old male who suffered a high-velocity biking accident, with a bipolar clavicle injury (type IV acromioclavicular joint dislocation and proximal clavicle fracture), with concomitant rib fractures and pulmonary contusion. He received early surgical treatment by open reduction and osteosynthesis of the proximal clavicle (distal ulna plate, Protean®) and open reduction and stabilization with a MINAR® implant for the acromioclavicular joint. After an initial one-month immobilization, he started physical therapy. In the 10-month follow-up he presented with a pain-free full range of motion, a good cosmetic result, and radiological consolidation.

Discussion

Bipolar clavicle injury is a rare clinical entity that encompasses a spectrum of combined clavicle fractures, acromioclavicular or sternoclavicular joint dislocations. They are sustained in a high-energy context, and accompanying injuries must be sought. Diagnosis is made through X-Ray and CT. Despite the lack of clinical guidelines, most authors agree on surgical management of at least one of the injuries, with multiple surgical techniques available. There is an emphasis in surgical treatment of the young and active patient. Conservative treatment is associated with poorer results.

Conclusion

It is advisable to have a high index of suspicion for floating clavicle in a high-energy trauma patient, given possible life-threatening injuries, and long-term shoulder sequelae. Surgery should be considered in a young and active patient.

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“Floating clavicle” is a rare injury that should be suspected in a high energy accident.

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Other life-threatening injuries must be ruled out.

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There are no guidelines regarding best treatment.

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Surgical treatment is usually advocated for young and active patients.

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ORIF of sternoclavicular fracture and acromioclavicular joint dislocation yields good results.

A Rare Case of Bipolar Clavicle Fracture

Segmental or bipolar fractures of the clavicle generally refer to a concomitant ipsilateral distal clavicle and midshaft clavicle fracture. These injuries are exceedingly rare and are generally secondary to higher energy injuries. We report a case of a 38-year-old male who sustained a left bipolar clavicle fracture after falling from a push bike while riding recreationally which unusually involved the medial and lateral ends of the clavicle and not the midshaft as previously reported in other patients. The patient's exact fracture configuration was not immediately apparent highlighting the need for careful examination of the whole clavicle in order to not miss a bipolar fracture.