JAAOS - 2026-07-23 - Journal Article
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Appropriate Use Criteria: Case Studies on Treatment of Mid-shaft Clavicle Fractures.
Baxi O, Lack WD, Ellis HB
Topics
Key Takeaway
The AAOS Appropriate Use Criteria for mid-shaft clavicle fractures provide case-based guidance for surgical versus nonsurgical treatment decisions, though no outcome data or specific numerical thresholds are reported in this article.
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Summary
This article illustrates application of the AAOS Appropriate Use Criteria for mid-shaft clavicle fractures in adults and postpubescent adolescents through clinical case examples. It does not present original outcome data but demonstrates how patient and injury characteristics drive surgical versus nonsurgical recommendations. No comparative statistics or outcome numbers are reported.
Key Limitation
The article presents no outcome data to validate whether following the AUC recommendations actually improves patient results compared with surgeon-directed individualized decision-making.
Original Abstract
Mid-shaft clavicle fractures in the adult and postpubescent adolescent population are a common injury treated by orthopaedic surgeons. This injury has a notable burden of disease due to its prevalence, effect on the patient, and effect on the society through cost of treatment and time lost from social activity. Determining surgical and nonsurgical care for a clavicle fracture can represent a clinical challenge. To assist clinicians with this treatment decision, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has developed and adopted an appropriate use criteria to recommend nonsurgical and surgical treatment based on a variety of patient and injury characteristics. These criteria are available online and through phone-based applications. This article aims to illustrate how the criteria may be applied in clinical practice.