Bilateral Distal Clavicle Nonunion: A Case Report

Abstract

Bilateral clavicle nonunion is extremely rare (4 published cases), and no case of bilateral distal clavicle nonunion has been reported in the literature. We present the case of a 75-year-old patient followed up for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, presenting a bilateral fracture of the distal clavicle type “Neer 1” following a road traffic accident and orthopedically treated. After 1 year, the patient complained of mild pain at both shoulders occasionally in cold weather and during an unusual effort without neurovascular symptom associated. The shoulder radiographs showed bilateral distal clavicle nonunion. We chose a conservative treatment because of the mild symptomatology, advanced age, and limited functional demands. The functional outcome was satisfactory. The therapeutic decision in the treatment of the bilateral distal clavicle nonunion is difficult, whereas the therapeutic indications are based on symptomatology, functional impairment, age, comorbidities, and functional demands.

Keywords

• nonunion
• distal clavicle
• bilateral