Non-surgical versus surgical care for displaced lateral clavicle fractures
The Scandinavian Displaced Lateral Clavicle Trial (ScanDiLaC) - A Multicentre, Pragmatic, 12-Month, Non-inferiority, Randomized Controlled Trial
This trial will test whether non-surgical care (sling and physiotherapy) works as well as surgery for adults aged 18–65 with displaced lateral clavicle fractures.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 96 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Uppsala University Academic / other |
| Locations | 11 sites (Odense and 10 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06981065 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This multicentre, multinational randomized trial assigns adults 18–65 with displaced extraarticular lateral clavicle fractures to either non-surgical treatment (sling and physiotherapy) or pragmatic surgical treatment. The primary outcome is patient-reported function measured by the DASH score at one year, with additional PROMs and health economic analyses collected. Patients with pathological or open fractures, neurovascular injury, polytrauma, or other exclusion criteria are not eligible. The design aims to reflect real-world practice across several Scandinavian hospitals.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18–65 with a displaced extraarticular lateral clavicle fracture (modified Neer type II or V) who can consent and complete follow-up are the intended participants.
Not a fit: Patients with pathological or open fractures, neurovascular injury, concurrent upper-extremity fractures, polytrauma, contraindications to surgery or anesthesia, or inability to consent or follow-up are unlikely to benefit from this trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If non-surgical care is non-inferior, many patients could avoid surgery, its risks, and healthcare costs while achieving similar arm and shoulder function.
How similar studies have performed: Smaller trials and observational studies have shown mixed results—many patients do well without surgery but randomized evidence directly comparing approaches remains limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: \- Displaced extraarticular lateral clavicle fracture (type II or V according to the modified Neer classification) Exclusion Criteria: * Pathological fracture * Open fracture * Neurovascular injury * Same-time fracture in the upper extremity * Polytrauma * Contraindications to surgery and/or anesthesia * Unable to give informed consent * Inability to complete follow-up
Where this trial is running
Odense and 10 other locations
- Odense University Hospital — Odense, Denmark (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Tampere University Hospital — Tampere, Finland (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Østfold Hospital Trust — Fredrikstad, Norway (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Kalmar Regional Hospital — Kalmar, Sweden (Recruiting)
- Linköping University Hospital — Linköping, Sweden (Recruiting)
- Skane University Hospital — Malmö, Sweden (Recruiting)
- Örebro University Hospital — Örebro, Sweden (Recruiting)
- Danderyd Hospital — Stockholm, Sweden (Recruiting)
- Stockholm South Hospital — Stockholm, Sweden (Recruiting)
- Norrlands University Hospital — Umeå, Sweden (Recruiting)
- Uppsala University Hopsital — Uppsala, Sweden (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Olof Wolf, Associate Professor, MD — Uppsala University Hospital and Uppsala University
- Study coordinator: Pontus Christersson, MD, PhD Student
- Email: pontus.christersson@uu.se
- Phone: +46-18-6110000
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.