Volume: 2
Year: 2025, Page: 1-7,
Received: April 5, 2025 Accepted: April 10, 2025 Published: April 14, 2025
Midshaft clavicle fractures are injuries that frequently require surgical treatment. This study aimed to assess the results of operative treatment with a locking plate for midshaft clavicle fractures. Twenty male patients, aged 19-59 years, with displaced midshaft clavicle fractures were treated with a locking plate between May 2010 and August 2012. The patients were evaluated according to injury mode, fracture classification, surgical timing, and postoperative results. Fractures were classified according to Robinson's system. Functional results were assessed using the Constant and Murley scoring systems. The leading cause of injury noted was a two-wheeler fall on the shoulder (40%), followed by a road traffic accident (25%). Most fractures (85%) were of type B1. Ninety percent of the surgeries were performed less than 7 days post-injury. Most patients (90%) experienced fracture union between 8-12 weeks. Hypertrophic scars (15%), prominence of the plate (10%), delayed union (10%), and loosening of the plate (5%) were minor complications. Good functional results were obtained in 75% of patients, fair results in 20%, and good results in 5%. This study demonstrated that operative fixation of midshaft clavicle fractures using locking plates showed good fracture healing and functional rehabilitation. Treatment was associated with low complications and excellent functional outcomes in most patients soon after surgery.
Keywords: Clavicle fracture; Locking plate; Midshaft; Midshaft
1. Pecci M, Kreher JB. Clavicle fractures. American family physician. 2008;77(1):65-70.
2. Kristiansen B, Andersen UL, Olsen CA, Varmarken JE. The Neer classification of fractures of the proximal humerus: an assessment of interobserver variation. Skeletal radiology. 1988;17:420-2.
3. Van der Meijden OA, Gaskill TR, Millett PJ. Treatment of clavicle fractures: current concepts review. Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery. 2012;21(3):423-9.
4. Paladini P, Pellegrini A, Merolla G, Campi F, Porcellini G. Treatment of clavicle fractures. Translational Medicine@ UniSa. 2012;2:47.
5. Wiesel BB, Getz CL. Current concepts in clavicle fractures, malunions and non-unions. Current Opinion in Orthopaedics. 2006;17(4):325-30.
6. Little KJ, Riches PE, Fazzi UG. Biomechanical analysis of locked and non-locked plate fixation of the clavicle. Injury. 2012;43(6):921-5.
7. Cronier P, Pietu G, Dujardin C, Bigorre N, Ducellier F, Gerard R. The concept of locking plates. Orthopaedics & Traumatology: Surgery & Research. 2010;96(4):S17-36.
8. Modi N, Patel AD, Hallam P. Outcome of 62 clavicle fracture fixations with locked compression plate: Is this the right way to go?. Injury Extra. 2011;42(9):118.
9. Schiffer G, Faymonville C, Skouras E, Andermahr J, Jubel A. Midclavicular fracture: not just a trivial injury: current treatment options. Deutsches Ärzteblatt International. 2010;107(41):711.
10. Robinson CM. Fractures of the clavicle in the adult: epidemiology and classification. The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery British Volume. 1998;80(3):476-84.
11. Altamimi SA, McKee MD. Non-operative treatment compared with plate fixation of displaced midshaft clavicular fractures: Surgical technique. JBJS. 2008;90(Supplement_2_Part_1):1-8.
12. Cho CH, Song KS, Min BW, Bae KC, Lee KJ. Reconstruction plate versus reconstruction locking compression plate for clavicle fractures. Clin Orthop Surg. 2010;2(3):154-9.
13. Verborgt O, Pittoors K, Van Glabbeek F, Declercq G, Nuyts R, Somville J. Plate fixation of middle-third fractures of the clavicle in the semi-professional athlete. Acta Orthop Belg. 2005;71(1):17-21.
14. Der Tavitian J, Davison JN, Dias JJ. Clavicular fracture non-union surgical outcome and complications. Injury. 2002;33(2):135-43.
© 2025 by the authors. Submitted for possible open access publication under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Published by Ascentia Publishers
Shahul S, Hassan H, Shahul S, Rahim S, Gazi NK, Basavaraj GC. Functional and Radiological Outcomes Following Locking Plate Fixation of Midshaft Clavicle Fractures. Advances in Preclinical and Clinical Research. 2025; 2:202502.