title: Plate fixation versus conservative treatment of displaced midshaft clavicle fractures: Functional outcome and patients' satisfaction during a mean follow-up of 5 years.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present prospective clinical trial was to compare patient-oriented and surgeon-based outcomes after non-operative care with operative treatment of displaced midshaft clavicle fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 2009 and July 2011, 97 consecutive patients presenting with a midshaft clavicle fracture were prospectively recorded and included in this study. The patients were placed in either of the treatment groups on their own preference. They were then seen in outpatient clinic at two, six and 24 weeks were all endpoints were investigated and motivation of choice of treatment was noted. Study follow-up was continued until Augustus 2014, being the time point that long-term functional outcome was measured through a DASH score by letter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  97 patients were included in the functional outcome analysis. The mean DASH and Constant scores were significant better in the operative (90.9±14.2 and 15.7±17.2) than in the conservative treatment group at six weeks (78.7±17.0 and 24.8±16.7). There was a significant improvement in the Constant (95.9±10.5 versus 94.5±5.9) and DASH scores (8.8±12.0 versus 7.1±10.7) for both groups at 24 weeks but there was no significant difference in functional scores between the groups. Four patients developed a non-union, one patient in the operative and three patients in the conservative group. Overall complications were significantly higher in the operative group (31%) compared to the conservative group (9%) (p<0.001). There was no significant difference in long-term functional outcome between the two treatment groups (5.2±9.8 versus 2.5±4.9 p=0.12). Patient's satisfaction was higher in the operative than in the conservative group (p<0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant superior outcome scores were seen at six weeks for the operative group. However, at 24 weeks and 5-year follow-up no difference was seen in functional outcome scores for both treatment groups. Therefore, the challenge for the future is to better identify the subgroup of patients who might benefit from primary surgical intervention.
authors: University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: denisevdven@gmail.com.
authors: J C
authors: JC
authors: van der Ven Denise
authors: Meander Medical Center Amersfoort, Department of Surgery, P.O. Box 1502, 3800 BM, Amersfoort, The Netherlands.
authors: T K
authors: TK
authors: Timmers
authors: Meander Medical Center Amersfoort, Department of Surgery, P.O. Box 1502, 3800 BM, Amersfoort, The Netherlands.
authors: P E
authors: PE
authors: Flikweert
authors: Westfriesgasthuis Hoorn, Department of Surgery, The Netherlands.
authors: A L A
authors: AL
authors: Van Ijseldijk
authors: Meander Medical Center Amersfoort, Department of Surgery, P.O. Box 1502, 3800 BM, Amersfoort, The Netherlands.
authors: G D J
authors: GD
authors: van Olden
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001860:Bone Plates; D002968:Clavicle / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Clavicle fracture; Midshaft; Non-operative; Operative