Operative Treatment of Distal Clavicle Fracture Nonunion

Kang,  Ho Jung; Yoon,  Hang Seob; Hahn,  Soo Bong; Kim,  Sung Jae

doi:2007.10.2.220

Clin Shoulder Elb > Volume 10(2); 2007 > Article

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society 2007;10(2):220-226.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5397/CiSE.2007.10.2.220 Published online December 31, 2007.

Operative Treatment of Distal Clavicle Fracture Nonunion

Ho Jung Kang, Hang Seob Yoon, Soo Bong Hahn, Sung Jae Kim

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. kangho56@yuhs.ac

원위 쇄골 불유합의 수술적 치료

강호정*·윤항섭·한수봉·김성재

연세대학교 의과대학 정형외과학교실

Abstract

PURPOSE
The distal clavicle has a biomechanical structure different from that of the proximal or middle 1/3 clavicle, and delayed union or nonunion occurs frequently in a distal clavicle fracture. The authors obtained favorable results from an open reduction and bone grafting of the distal clavicle nonunion. We report the results together with review of the relevant literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were 8 patients (average age, 38.9) who had undergone surgery for distal clavicle nonunion from August 2003 to May 2006. Nonunion occurred after surgical treatment in 4 cases, and after conservative treatment in the other 4. In all cases, the patients complained of pain.
RESULTS
The mean follow-up duration was 14 months, and radiological union was observed in 8 weeks on average. In all cases, the range of shoulder joint motion was normal at the end of the follow-up observation. In the functional evaluation, 7 cases showed excellent results and 1 case showed good results.
CONCLUSION
Surgical treatment is a safe and reliable treatment for distal clavicle fracture nonunion because it can achieve early rehabilitation and union.

Key Words: Clavicle; Distal fracture; Nonunion; Bone grafting; Internal fixation