Aims. Distal third
Background. A number of studies have described the epidemiological characteristics of
Twenty fresh-frozen
Purpose. In a previously published multicenter randomized clinical trial it was shown that young patients (16–60 years-old) with displaced mid-shaft
Purpose: To document outcomes and patient satisfaction in relation to the incision used following
In Neer type II (Robinson type 3B) fractures
of the distal clavicle the medial fragment is detached from the coracoclavicular
ligaments and displaced upwards, whereas the lateral fragment, which
is usually small, maintains its position. Several fixation techniques
have been suggested to treat this fracture. The aim of this study
was to assess the outcome of patients with type II distal clavicle
fractures treated with coracoclavicular suture fixation using three
loops of Ethibond. This prospective study included 14 patients with
Neer type II fractures treated with open reduction and coracoclavicular
fixation. Ethibond sutures were passed under the coracoid and around
the clavicle (UCAC loop) without making any drill holes in the proximal
or distal fragments. There were 11 men and three women with a mean
age of 34.57 years (29 to 41). Patients were followed for a mean
of 24.64 months (14 to 31) and evaluated radiologically and clinically
using the Constant score. Fracture union was obtained in 13 patients at
a mean of 18.23 weeks (13 to 23) and the mean Constant score was
96.07 (91 to 100). One patient developed an asymptomatic fibrous
nonunion at one year. This study suggests that open reduction and
internal fixation of unstable distal
Purpose. Plating remains the most widely employed method for the fixation of displaced diaphyseal
Aims. The aim of this study was to compare biomechanical properties of pre-contoured plate fixation using different screw fixation modes in a mid-shaft
Purpose. The evolution of locked anatomical clavicular plating in combination with evidence to suggest that fixation of
Background. This is a continued assessment of the effectiveness of a locked intramedullary device in the treatment of acute
Fracture of the clavicle is common and comprise 4% of all adult fractures. The incidence appears to be increasing owing to several factors, including the occurrence of many more high velocity vehicular injuries and an increase in popularity of contact sports. The most common side site for occurrence of
This study investigated the anatomical relationship between the clavicle and its adjacent vascular structures, in order to define safe zones, in terms of distance and direction, for drilling of the clavicle during osteosynthesis using a plate and screws following a fracture. We used reconstructed three-dimensional CT arteriograms of the head, neck and shoulder region. The results have enabled us to divide the clavicle into three zones based on the proximity and relationship of the vascular structures adjacent to it. The results show that at the medial end of the clavicle the subclavian vessels are situated behind it, with the vein intimately related to it. In some scans the vein was opposed to the posterior cortex of the clavicle. At the middle one-third of the clavicle the artery and vein are a mean of 17.02 mm (5.4 to 26.8) and 12.45 mm (5 to 26.1) from the clavicle, respectively, and at a mean angle of 50° (12 to 80) and 70° (38 to 100), respectively, to the horizontal. At the lateral end of the clavicle the artery and vein are at mean distances of 63.4 mm (46.8 to 96.5) and 75.67 mm (50 to 109), respectively. An appreciation of the information gathered from this study will help minimise the risk of inadvertent iatrogenic vascular injury during plating of the clavicle.
This prospective evaluation of early experience using this technique. Patients with fracture of the distal clavicle were surgically treated with clavicular hook plate fixation. They were reviewed clinically and radiographically by one observer. 12 patients, 7 male, 5 female, were treated in our unit. Mean age (34.7) range 25–60 years. 10 were the results of low velocity injury. 9 were treated within one week of injury. 3 were treated at 13, 14 and 16 weeks post injury. Mean hospital stay 2.7 range 2–5 days. All patients healed, 10 within 12 weeks. All resumed full activity by 24 weeks. 2 had superficial wound infection, treated successfully with oral antibiotics without implant removal. One had a seroma, which resolved spontaneously. One patient developed limitation of movement at 20 weeks ultrasound confirmed impingement. Plate was removed and patient regained full range of movement after six weeks. No implant fracture or loosening was observed. Based on experience to date the clavicular hook plate is a safe and reliable method of fixation. Relatively simple implant with good results. Allows early mobilisation and has little complication.
Aims. The management of mid-shaft
Aims. Tobacco, in addition to being one of the greatest public health threats facing our world, is believed to have deleterious effects on bone metabolism and especially on bone healing. It has been described in the literature that patients who smoke are approximately twice as likely to develop a nonunion following a non-specific bone fracture. For
Aim. The number of operatively treated
Aims. The aims of this network meta-analysis (NMA) were to examine nonunion rates and functional outcomes following various operative and nonoperative treatments for displaced mid-shaft
Implant removal after clavicle plating is common. Low-profile dual mini-fragment plate constructs are considered safe for fixation of diaphyseal