Purpose. Plating remains the most widely employed method for the fixation of displaced diaphyseal clavicle fractures. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and outcomes of diaphyseal clavicle fractures treated with intramedullary fixation using the Rockwood clavicle pin. Methods. We conducted a retrospective analysis of all diaphyseal clavicle fractures treated with intramedullary fixation using the Rockwood pin between February 2004 and March 2010. Sixty-eight procedures were carried out on 67 patients. Functional outcome was assessed using the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire and an overall patient satisfaction questionnaire. Results. There were 52 (77.6%) male and 15 (22.4%) female patients with an average age of 35.8 years. In 35 (51.5%) cases the injury was located on the dominant side. Fractures were classified according to the Edinburgh system with the commonest configuration being the Type 2B1 (47, 69.1%). The indications for fixation were; acute management of displaced fractures (56, 82.4%), delayed union (2, 2.9%), nonunion (8, 11.8%) and malunion (2, 2.9%). The average time to pin removal was 3.7 months and the average follow-up prior to discharge was 6.9 months. Sixty-six (97.1%) fractures united without consequence. Two (2.9%) cases of non-union were treated with repeat fixation using a contoured plate and bone graft. The most common problem encountered postoperatively was discomfort due to subcutaneous pin prominence posteriorly (12, 17.6%) which resolved following removal of the metalwork. The average DASH score was 6.04 (0–60) and 96.4% of patients rated their satisfaction with the procedure as good to excellent. Conclusion. Due to its minimally invasive technique, cosmetically favourable scar, preservation of periosteal tissue, avoidance of stress risers associated with screw removal and good clinical outcomes, the use of this device is the preferred method of treatment for displaced diaphyseal clavicle fractures in our hospital

Fractures of the clavicle remain common in clinical practice. The main changes that have occurred in the last five years are in the indications for surgical intervention. The traditional indications remain. For example, complex cases such as compound fractures, those in which the skin is threatened, fractures of the clavicle associated with a floating shoulder, fractures of the clavicle associated with vascular injury and unstable lateral clavicle fractures. Fractures of the middle 1/3 of the clavicle with displacement of greater than 2 cm have been identified as having a poorer outcome based on patient related factors. In adults these fractures are now recommended for surgical stabilisation. A number of surgical techniques have been described including internal fixation with plates and intramedullary pins. It is the author's preference to use plate fixation as it provides stable fixation of the clavicle including rotational control. Although there are some authors that do recommend pin fixation, insertion of these pins can be technically demanding and there is a risk of displacement of undisplaced fragments. The intramedullary pins do not provide rotational control of the fracture. When performing internal fixation of clavicle fractures it is important to be aware of the risk of major neurovascular compromise. In the second quarter (from the medial edge of the clavicle) the major neurovascular structures are at risk and care is required to ensure that drills and screws do not penetrate the inferior cortex of the clavicle and violate these neurovascular structures. Adolescents with fractures of the clavicle are often managed without surgical intervention even if there is significant displacement. However, further work is required to identify the natural history of this group. Non-union of the clavicle is a relatively uncommon event. For those patients who have a persistent symptomatic non-union, surgical stabilisation and bone grafting is recommended

Neer type 2 fractures of the distal third of the clavicle have a non union rate of 22-35% after conservative treatment. Open reduction and internal fixation has been recommended by most authors but there is no consensus about the best method of internal fixation. We retrospectively assessed the union and shoulder function following Hook plate fixation in 18 patients with Neer type 2 fractures of lateral end clavicle with more then a six month follow up after surgery. There were 14 males with a mean follow-up of 25.89 months (6-48 months) and the average age was 40.33 years (22-62 range). Fifteen had acute fractures and the rest were non unions. Complications included two non unions, one following a deep infection. There were no iatrogenic fractures. Acromial osteolysis was seen in five patients who had their plates in situ. The average pain score at rest was 1 (0-4) and the average pain score on abduction was 2.2 (0-5). The average Constant score was 88.5 (63-100). Patients were asked to rate their shoulder function; three said their shoulder was normal, eleven said it was nearly normal and one rated it as not normal. Hook plate fixation appears to be a valuable method of stabilising Neer type 2 fractures of the clavicle resulting in high union rates and good shoulder function. These plates need to be removed after union to prevent acromial osteolysis

Purpose. There is increasing evidence that primary fixation of displaced mid-shaft fractures of the clavicle results in superior short-term outcomes when compared to traditional non-operative methods. However, the results from published studies are limited to relatively short-term (one year or less) follow-up. Accurate data of longer follow-up is important for a number of reasons, including patient prognostication, counseling and care, the design of future trials, and the economic analysis of treatment. The purpose of this paper was to examine the results of the two year follow up of patients enrolled in a previously published randomized clinical trial of operative versus non-operative treatment of displaced fractures of the clavicle. Method. Using a comprehensive and standard assessment that included DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) and CSS (Constant Shoulder Scores) scores, we evaluated ninety-five patients of the original cohort of one hundred and thirty-two patients at two years following their injury. Results. Statistical analysis performed on the two year follow up data revealed that DASH and CSS scores remained essentially unchanged at two years post-injury compared to one year post-injury for both operative and non-operative groups (p>0.05). Additionally, outcome scores in the operative group remained superior to the non-operative group (DASH operative 4 +/− 7 versus DASH non-operative 11 +/− 20, p<0.014, CSS operative 97 +/− 4 versus CSS non-operative 92 +/− 14, p<0.012) at two years post-injury. Conclusion. The improvement in outcome seen with primary fixation of displaced clavicle fractures persists at two years but does not differ significantly from values seen after one year of follow-up, suggesting that clinically a steady state has been reached whereby outcome is unlikely to change with time. This has clinical, economic, and research implications

A number of studies have described the epidemiological characteristics of clavicle fractures, including two previous reports from our institution. The Robinson classification system was described in 1998, after the analysis of 1,000 clavicle fractures. We aim to provide a contemporary analysis and compare current clavicle fracture patterns of our adult population with historical reports. A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected fracture database from an institution serving 598,000 was conducted. Demographic data were recorded prospectively for each patient with an acute clavicle fractures including age, gender, mode of injury, fracture classification, and the presence of associated skeletal injuries. Fractures were classified according to the Robinson system. A total of 312 clavicle fractures were identified, occurring with an incidence of 55.9/100,000/yr (CI 49.8–62.5) and following a bimodal male and unimodal older female distribution. Sporting activity and a simple fall from standing caused the majority of injuries. More than half of simple fall fractures affected the lateral clavicle. The incidence of clavicle fractures has risen over a twenty year period, and a greater proportion of older adults are now affected. Overall, type II midshaft fractures remain the most common, but comparison of this series with historical data reveals that the epidemiology of clavicle fractures is changing. We have identified an increase in the average patient age and overall incidence of clavicle fractures in our adult population. The incidence, relative frequency, and average patient age of type III lateral one-fifth fractures have increased. This epidemiological trend has implications for the future management of clavicle fractures in our region

Introduction

Virtual fracture clinics (VFCs) are being increasingly used to offer safe and efficient orthopaedic review without the requirement for face-to-face contact. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we sought to develop an online referral pathway that would allow us to provide definitive orthopaedic management plans and reduce face-to-face contact at the fracture clinics.