Joe A Shaw PA-C - 10/10/2010

Question
I've read in a number of sources that shortening of the clavicle sometimes
occurs after a fracture and subsequent healing.  Given that the clavicle maintains
the width of the pectoral girdle, does a shortened clavicle result in a reduction of
shoulder width? and if so what is the correlation between clavicle shortening and
loss of shoulder width?

Answer
Stephen,
I don't think there is any noticable diff. in total shoulder width w such an injury..now you can see a bump on the injured side vs non-injured size..but remember calcium deposits form from bone and it grows bone..doesnt grow uniformly but still takes up space of where fracture was.