title: Surgical treatment for non-union of the mid-shaft clavicle using a reconstruction plate: scapular malposition is related to poor results.
abstract: A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the use of an AO reconstruction plate in open reduction and internal fixation for non-union of the mid-shaft clavicle, examining the relationship between the position of the scapula and final functional results and whether perioperative variables such as clavicular reconstruction ratio and period of non-union influence the position of the scapula. From January 1998 to January 2005, data on 21 people with symptomatic non-union of the mid-shaft clavicle were collected; 17 non-unions were atrophic and 4 were hypertrophic. Initially, treatment was conservative with a figure-of-eight bandage in 19 cases, and cerclage wire fixation in 2 cases. The follow-up period was 65.7 (24-108) months. Outcome analyses included standard clinical follow-up, plain radiography, the Constant-Murley scoring and subjective assessment. All non-unions united well in 13.6 (11-27) weeks. All patients were satisfied with their surgical results. Greater age and longer period of non-union resulted in a larger amount of scapular malposition, which related to poor functional results.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine and College of Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Teng-Le
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Feng-Huei
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Horng-Chaung
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Hsu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D002968:Clavicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012540:Scapula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D055815:Young Adult