Extra-articular knowles pin fixation for unstable distal clavicle fractures.
BACKGROUND
Unstable distal clavicle fractures may benefit from surgical treatment. This report described a new method with transacromial extra-articular Knowles pin fixation to treat these unstable fractures. The hypothesis is that the results would be improved.


METHODS
Twenty-five patients with unstable distal clavicle fractures were treated by transacromial extra-articular Knowles pin fixation, coracoclavicular ligament repair and augmentation. The mean clinical and radiographic follow-up was 51 months. Functional outcomes were evaluated by a modified Constant-Murley score.


RESULTS
Ninety-two percent of patients had uneventful fracture union. Eight percent had delayed or nonunion with pin loosening. Both had successful union after revision surgery. The injured shoulders functioned similar to the uninjured shoulders.


CONCLUSIONS
The transacromial extra- articular Knowles pin fixation method is a reliable method to treat the unstable distal clavicle fractures with an acceptable complication rate.
Departments of Orthopaedics, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China. reoulioushu@yahoo.com.tw
Shyu-Jye
SJ
Wang
Chih-Shung
CS
Wong
D000173:Acromioclavicular Joint / Q000293:injuries*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001858:Bone Nails; D002968:Clavicle / Q000293:injuries*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome