Functional outcome of midshaft clavicle fractures treated with a pre-contoured locking plate: A prospective study

Traditionally, displaced mid clavicular fractures have been treated with conservative methods. Conservative methods like strapping gives mediocre results. The present study has been undertaken to study the role of pre-contoured locking compression plate in the fixation of mid-third clavicle fractures.

40 patients with mid-shaft clavicle fractures (Robinson 2B) with displacement >2 cms were treated with open reduction and internal fixation with a pre-contoured locking plate and functional outcome through 3 months was assessed.

Union was seen radiologically in all the fractures by 10–12 weeks. The average Constant-Murley score at 3 months was 93.5. None of our patients had complications like malunion, wound dehiscence, hardware irritation, early mechanical failure, incisional numbness, infections and neurovascular damage. There were 4 patients with hardware prominence, 2 cases of hypertrophic scar formation, 2 patients with delayed union at 18 weeks and 1 case of plate loosening.

Pre-contoured locking plate fixation in displaced fractures of clavicle allows earlier return to a pain free functional shoulder.