Extremity CLET Practice Exam

Clavicle osteolysis comes from chronic, repetitive stress to the distal clavicle where the AC joint is loaded. Over time this repeated microtrauma leads to bone resorption rather than an acute fracture or inflammatory process. The scenario that fits this best is activities that continually stress the distal clavicle—such as heavy lifting or repetitive overhead or pushing movements—rather than a single traumatic event. This mechanism is distinct from anterior impingement (subacromial compression), adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), or an AC joint separation (acute ligament injury).