Functional outcomes of conservatively treated clavicle fractures

• Autor(a) principal: Bajuri, Mohd Yazid
• Data de Publicação: 2011
• Outros Autores: Maidin, S., Rauf, A., Baharuddin, M., Harjeet, S.
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Clinics
• DOI: 10.1590/S1807-59322011000400019
• Texto Completo: https://www.revistas.usp.br/clinics/article/view/19597
• topic: clavicle; fracture; conser vative surgical; functional

OBJECTIVE: The main aim of the study was to analyze the outcomes of clavicle fractures in adults treated non-surgically and to evaluate the clinical effects of displacement, fracture patterns, fracture location, fracture comminution, shortening and fracture union on shoulder function. METHODS: Seventy clavicle fractures were non-surgically treated in the Orthopedics Department at the Tuanku Ja'afar General Hospital, a tertiary care hospital in Seremban, Malaysia, an average of six months after injury. The clavicle fractures were treated conservatively with an arm sling and a figure-eight splint for three weeks. No attempt was made to reduce displaced fractures, and the patients were allowed immediate free-shoulder mobilization, as tolerated. They were prospectively evaluated clinically and radiographically. Shoulder function was evaluated using the Constant scoring technique. RESULTS: There were statistically significant functional outcome impairments in non-surgically treated clavicle fractures that correlated with the fracture type (comminution), the fracture displacement (21 mm or more), shortening (15 mm or more) and the fracture union (malunion). CONCLUSION: This article reveals the need for surgical intervention to treat clavicle fractures and improve shoulder functional outcomes.