Treatment of Clavicle Fracture : Operative vs Non-operative

Song, Seok Whan; Lee, Hwa Sung; Woo, Young Kyun; Rhee, Seung Koo; Kim, Young Yul

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to compare the final results of the patients of the clavicle fractures, treated with the conservative or surgical techniques.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
125 patients (over 15 years old, follow-up over 6 months) were reviewed. To measure the amount of shortening of the fractured clavicle, the length of clavicle was measured from the mid-point of the medial end to the lateral. Range of motion of shoulder, evaluation of functional results and subjective satisfaction, and complications were assessed.
RESULTS
In the surgical treatment group, the period of bony union was short and the shortening of the final length of the fractured clavicle, although there was no statistical significance, was rare. Overall satisfaction for the final result and range of motion of the shoulder were not significantly different between the groups. Complication rates were higher in the conservative treatment than in the surgical.
CONCLUSIONS
In most cases of the clavicle fracture, the operative treatment is recommended to decrease the complications, to shorten the treatment period, to satisfy the patients, and probably to decrease the economical burden.