Brachial-plexus injury after clavicular fracture: case report and literature review
Rumball, K.M.; Da Silva, V.F.; Preston, D.N.; Carruthers, C.C.
Canadian Journal of Surgery. Journal Canadien de Chirurgie 34(3): 264-266
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-428X PMID: 2054758 Document Number: 374837
Brachial plexus injury is a rare complication of the fractured clavicle. The authors describe the second reported case of brachial plexus injury due to secondary fracture displacement. This case emphasizes the following points: the neurologic status of the arm after a fracture of the clavicle must be documented; fractures of the middle one-third of the clavicle are prone to displacement; patients should be advised to report immediately any new symptoms in the arm; when fracture displacement is the cause of brachial-plexus compression then a trial of conservative therapy is indicated; the prognosis for neurologic recovery after this injury is good.