title: Arthroscopic evaluation for omalgia patients undergoing the clavicular hook plate fixation of distal clavicle fractures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study is to investigate the anatomic changes in the shoulder joints responsible for omalgia after the clavicular hook plate fixation under arthroscope.
  
  
  METHODS
  Arthroscopic examination was carried out for 12 omalgia patients who underwent clavicular hook plate fixation due to distal clavicle fractures. Functional outcome of shoulder was measured by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score before and after the withdrawal of the fixation plate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rotator cuff compression by the clavicular hook was arthroscopically observed in 11 of the 12 cases. The JOA scores of the shoulder were significantly improved at 1 month after the withdrawal of the fixation plate (pain, 28 ± 2.4 vs. 15 ± 5.2; function, 19.2 ± 1.0 vs. 11.7 ± 1.9; range of movements, 26.8 ± 2.6 vs. 14.8 ± 3.4) compared with before.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The impingement of the hook to the rotator cuff may be the main cause for the omalgia. The appropriate hook and plate that fit to the curve of the clavicle as well as the acromion are necessary to decrease the severity of omalgia.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, No, 301 Middle Yanchang Road, Zhabei District, Shanghai 20072, China. chengbiaobiaocheng@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Biao
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Kun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000009:adverse effects; D002968:Clavicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome