A CLINICAL STUDY OF DISPLACED CLAVICLE FRACTURES TREATED WITH ANATOMICALLY PRECONTOURED LOCKING COMPRESSION PLATE

BACKGROUND Clavicle is the bony structure that links shoulder girdle to thorax and is 'S' shaped bone. Clavicle fracture is a common traumatic injury around shoulder girdle due to their subcutaneous position. It has been managed non-operatively in many cases. This study was undertaken to study the outcome of surgical management in displaced or comminuted clavicular fractures with precontoured Locking Compression Plates. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty adult patients with clavicular fractures treated surgically between November 2011 and October 2013 were included for this study and treated surgically with precontoured Locking Compression Plates. RESULTS Among 20 patients with middle third clavicle fracture treated with precontoured locking plate, 18 fractures united at an average of 9.3 weeks; 2 patients had delayed union, 2 patients had plate loosening and 3 patients had plate prominence. The functional outcome according to Constant and Murley score after fracture union were excellent in 16 patients, good in 3 patients and fair in 1 patient. CONCLUSION This study shows rigid fixation with precontoured Locking Compression Plates for fresh displaced or comminuted middle third clavicle fracture, we can archive immediate pain relief and avoid the complications like shoulder stiffness and non-union.