J Korean Shoulder Elbow Soc.  2007 Dec;10(2):220-226.

Operative Treatment of Distal Clavicle Fracture Nonunion

• Kang HJ
• Yoon HS
• Hahn SB
• Kim SJ

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.

Keyword

Clavicle; Distal fracture; Nonunion; Bone grafting; Internal fixation

MeSH Terms

Bone Transplantation
Clavicle*
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Rehabilitation
Shoulder Joint