Intraobserver and Interobserver Agreement in the Classification and Treatment of Midshaft Clavicle Fractures

Abstract

Standard plain unilateral radiographs of the clavicle are insufficient to reliably determine the degree of shortening of clavicle fractures and the need for surgery among shoulder/sports medicine fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons. Consideration should be made to not use shortening as the sole determinant for whether to proceed with surgical intervention or to use other radiographic modalities to determine the amount of shortening.