Research shows good mid-term results with clavicle hook plate fixation of acute displaced lateral clavicle fractures

Tiren D. J Orthop Surg Res. 2012. doi:10.1186/1749-799X-7-2.

The clavicle hook plate produced good results at midterm follow-up as primary treatment for acute displaced lateral clavicle fractures, according to a retrospective study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research.

Of 28 consecutive patients with acute displaced lateral clavicle fractures treated with the plate, 24 patients were followed up at 5.4 years mean (65 months). All patients had good to excellent short-term functional results, according to the abstract.

At mid-term follow-up patients scored 97 points with the Constant-Murley scale and 3.5 points with the DASH score, however 4 patients developed acromioclavicular joint arthrosis (14%) and 3 patients developed extra articular ossification (11%). One patient each with those complications was symptomatic, researchers noted.

Despite these factors, the authors foresaw no long-term complications related to using the plate.

At short-term follow-up, 96% of patients had united fractures, 32% of patients presented with impingement symptoms and 25% of patients developed subacromial osteolysis. These findings all cleared up following plate removal, according to the abstract.