Collarbone (clavicle) fractures are a common injury, particularly in adolescents, and account for up to 4% of all fractures. They are frequently treated with conservative treatments that do not involve any kind of surgery. The most common treatments are the use of an arm sling, strapping, figure-of-eight bandages and splints.
This review aims to evaluate the effects, primarily on pain and long term function, of different methods, including duration of immobilisation, for conservatively treating collarbone fractures in adolescents and adults.
Three studies with a total of 354 participants were included in the review. Two trials, both of which had poor methodology, compared the figure-of-eight bandage versus an arm sling. One trial found slightly higher pain scores at 15 days in the bandage group and the other trial reported more discomfort during bandage use. However, while neither trial detected differences in other and longer-term outcomes, there was not enough reliable evidence to draw conclusions. The third trial was well conducted but not big enough to be conclusive. It compared therapeutic ultrasound with placebo (sham) in 120 people with clavicle fractures. It found no difference in outcome, including the time for fracture healing, between the two groups.
The review concludes that there is not enough evidence to draw conclusions about the best methods of conservative treatment for these fractures.