Objective <p>To evaluate the epidemiological characteristics of clavicle fractures in a high-volume trauma center over a six-year period and to compare trauma mechanisms and management patterns before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.</p> Methods <p>A retrospective review of 1500 consecutive clavicle fracture cases treated at a level-one trauma center between January 2016 and December 2021 was conducted. Demographic characteristics, fracture classification, trauma mechanisms, and treatment modalities were analyzed. Comparisons were made between the pre-pandemic period (2016–March 2020) and the pandemic period (March 2020–2021).</p> Results <p>The cohort consisted predominantly of young males (68.5%, median age: 21.7 years). Midshaft fractures were most common (79.3%). During the pandemic, trauma mechanisms changed significantly, with a marked decrease in sports-related injuries (34.3% to 13.4%) and an increase in simple falls (46.0% to 62.9%) and high-energy trauma (19.7% to 23.7%) (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Despite these epidemiological shifts, the proportion of surgically treated fractures remained unchanged (8.7% pre-pandemic vs. 8.1% during the pandemic, <i>p</i> &gt; 0.05). No significant differences were observed in fracture type or associated injuries between periods.</p> Conclusion <p>The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with substantial changes in the epidemiology of clavicle fractures, particularly in trauma mechanisms, but did not affect the rate of operative versus non-operative management. These findings suggest that while societal restrictions altered injury patterns, clinical decision-making for clavicle fracture treatment remained stable.</p> Level of evidence <p>III (Retrospective comparative study).</p>

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Epidemiological changes in clavicle fractures during the COVID-19 pandemic: a six-year analysis from a large single-center cohort

  • Nezih Ziroglu,
  • Mehmet Utku Ciftci,
  • Altug Duramaz,
  • Cemal Kural,
  • Ali Can Koluman

摘要

Objective

To evaluate the epidemiological characteristics of clavicle fractures in a high-volume trauma center over a six-year period and to compare trauma mechanisms and management patterns before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A retrospective review of 1500 consecutive clavicle fracture cases treated at a level-one trauma center between January 2016 and December 2021 was conducted. Demographic characteristics, fracture classification, trauma mechanisms, and treatment modalities were analyzed. Comparisons were made between the pre-pandemic period (2016–March 2020) and the pandemic period (March 2020–2021).

Results

The cohort consisted predominantly of young males (68.5%, median age: 21.7 years). Midshaft fractures were most common (79.3%). During the pandemic, trauma mechanisms changed significantly, with a marked decrease in sports-related injuries (34.3% to 13.4%) and an increase in simple falls (46.0% to 62.9%) and high-energy trauma (19.7% to 23.7%) (p < 0.001). Despite these epidemiological shifts, the proportion of surgically treated fractures remained unchanged (8.7% pre-pandemic vs. 8.1% during the pandemic, p > 0.05). No significant differences were observed in fracture type or associated injuries between periods.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with substantial changes in the epidemiology of clavicle fractures, particularly in trauma mechanisms, but did not affect the rate of operative versus non-operative management. These findings suggest that while societal restrictions altered injury patterns, clinical decision-making for clavicle fracture treatment remained stable.

Level of evidence

III (Retrospective comparative study).