A pseudo-iatrogenic case of medial clavicular fracture

Medial fractures are the least common type of clavicular fracture (2-10%). The patient is a 29-year-old gynaecology resident with hyper-laxity and sternoclavicular instability. The latter had been surgically stabilized with Dacron (R) tape, which eroded the bone causing an usura. Acute right shoulder pain occurred 10 years later. CT revealed medial clavicular stress fracture. After 4 weeks of conservative management, internal fixation followed. Five months postoperatively the patient performed all activities without pain. In this patient the weakened medial clavicle due to usura clearly played a role in both the site and nature of the fracture. Furthermore, CT is essential in arriving at the correct diagnosis.