title: Fixation of unstable type II clavicle fractures with distal clavicle plate and suture button.
abstract: This article reports on a technique to treat unstable type II distal clavicle fractures using fracture-specific plates and coracoclavicular augmentation with a suture button. Six patients with clinically unstable type II distal clavicle fractures underwent treatment using the above technique. All fractures demonstrated radiographic union at 9.6 (8.4-11.6) weeks with a mean follow-up of 15.6 (12.4-22.3) months. American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Penn Shoulder Score, and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation scores were 97.97 (98.33-100), 96.4 (91-99), and 95 (90-100), respectively. One patient required implant removal. Fracture-specific plating with suture-button augmentation for type II distal clavicle fractures provides reliable rates of union without absolute requirement for implant removal.
authors.affiliation: *Southern Maryland Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, St. Mary's Hospital, Leonardtown, MD; †Synergy Orthopedics, St. Anthony North Hospital, Westminster, CO; and ‡Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Rothman Institute, Philadelphia, PA.
authors.forename: Peter S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: Benjamin W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Sears
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Lazarus
authors.forename: Barbara G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Frieman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001860:Bone Plates; D002968:Clavicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011859:Radiography; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D013537:Sutures; D016896:Treatment Outcome