The very tip of the collarbone can be broken especially in cycling and skiing injuries. The break virtually always includes a ligament injury, making it difficult for the break to heal without surgery – the “non-union” rate is 50%. Ongoing pain is then the common problem, especially in bed & with activity. To ensure the break heals, displaced fractures can be fixed with a locking plate as demonstrated.

​If the fragment of bone is too small for screw fixation, an alternate approach is to stabilized the ligaments alone.

Finally – if all other options are exhausted, a hook plate might be used. This plate has a hook under the “acromion” which holds it down. The plate will ultimately need to be removed, as there is limited space for a tendon, the rotator cuff, under the acromion.

David Mitchell
Ballarat Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
707 Mair Street Ballarat, Vic, 3350,
AUSTRALIA
Phone: (03) 5332 2969  Mobile: 0438 322 969
david.mitchell@ballaratosm.com.au