Densitometric study of the clavicle: bone mineral density explains the laterality of the fractures

Abstract

IntroductionEpidemiological studies have shown laterality in clavicle fractures, such that the left side is more frequently fractured. The present study had the aim of evaluating whether the clavicle on the dominant side is denser and thus explaining the greater incidence of fractures on the non-dominant side.Materials and methodsThis was a descriptive study on 52 healthy patients, who were classified according to age, sex and whether the dominant or non-dominant side was affected.ResultsThe participants comprised 28 women (53.8%) and 24 men (46.2%). Regarding the dominant side, 30 were right-handed (57.7%) and 22 were left-handed (42.3%). The mean age was 25 years. In this study, it could be seen that the non-dominant side had greater bone mass than the dominant side. It was also observed that the bone density was greater in the middle and distal thirds on the non-dominant side, with a statistically significant difference. In the women, the density was also greater on the non-dominant side; this difference was not significant in relation to the dominant side, but there were significant differences between the middle thirds (p < 0.001) and the distal thirds (p < 0.006).ConclusionVariations in bone density, toward higher and lower bone mass, may have been responsible for the fractures. According to the findings from this study, fractures occur more in the middle third of the non-dominant clavicle, as a result of greater bone mineral mass, which gives rise to lower flexibility and fractures in the region.

Cross-Species RNA-Seq Study Comparing Transcriptomes of Enriched Osteocyte Populations in the Tibia and Skull

“…This is unlikely because the clavicle is an example of a bone that is formed partly through endochondral ossification (like the long bones) and partly through intramembranous ossification (like the skull). The clavicles are bones which are known to adapt to function and lose bone mass through disuse, like long bones and unlike the skull (8), suggesting that intramembranous ossification is not invariably associated with a lack of sensitivity to disuse. Furthermore, the lateral end of the clavicle, which is the part formed by intramembranous ossification is affected by a bone wasting condition that has no effect on bone mass in the skull (9).…”