Functional outcome of conservative versus surgical management in mid shaft clavicle fractures at tertiary care centre

Abstract

Aim of the study: To evaluate the functional outcome of locking compression plate fixation and figure of eight clavicle brace in the treatment of displaced middle 1/3rd clavicle fracture.Materials and Methods: In our Prospective Study, we included 36 patients, both male and female patients with displaced middle-third clavicle fracture (Robinson type 2B1). Patients were randomly divided into two groups, based on treatment modalities as a conservative group and surgical management group, with 18 patients in each group. All patients will be followed up every week for 2 weeks after treatment, and then every 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year. Functional outcome were assessed with the help of Constant and Murley scoring system. Result: In our study, we found that the functional outcome of surgical patients was significantly improved. At the end of 12 months, in surgical group excellent and good outcome was achieved in 12 patients (75%) whereas in conservative group excellent and good outcome was obtained only in 3 patients (18%). The complications seen in the surgical group were 2 cases each of infection implant failure and four cases of nonunion in the conservative group. Conclusion: In this study, we observed that patients who were treated by surgical treatment with locking compression plating had a better functional outcome in terms of early range of movements and less shoulder stiffness and therefore early return to work when compared to the conservative group.