A retrospective study of the association between shortening of the clavicle after fracture and the clinical outcome in 136 patients

作者：Rasmussen Jeppe V^*; Jensen Steen L; Petersen Jens B; Falstie Jensen Thomas; Lausten Gunnar; Olsen Bo S

来源：Injury-International Journal of the Care of the Injured, 2011, 42(4): 414-417.

DOI：10.1016/j.injury.2010.11.061

• Clavicle
• Midshaft fracture
• Shortening
• Clinical result
• Treatment

Background and purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine the association between shortening of the clavicle after a united midshaft fracture and clinical outcome. Second, the purpose was to compare the results obtained by conservative treatment with either a figure-of-eight bandage or a simple sling.
Materials and methods: This study included 136 patients with a united, conservatively treated, midshaft clavicle fracture. Mean age was 35 years (range 15-70 years); mean follow-up time was 55 months (range 24-83 months). The shortening of the clavicle was measured on a radiograph including one antero-posterior view of both clavicles on a single film and defined as the difference between the injured and the contralateral clavicle. The clinical outcome was measured using the Constant-Murley Score.
Results: The mean difference in the Constant-Murley Score between the injured and the contralateral shoulder was 7.3, P < 0.001 (95% confidence interval (CI) 5.6; 9.1). Mean shortening of the injured shoulder was 11.6 mm, P < 0.001 (95% CI 10.2; 13.0). A shortening of more than 20 mm was not associated with a poorer clinical outcome. The results obtained by conservative treatment with either a figure-of-eight bandage or a simple sling showed no difference in shortening or in the Constant-Murley Score.
Conclusions: We found that conservative treatment of midshaft clavicle fractures resulted in final shortening and mild reduction of shoulder function. A shortening of 20 mm or more was not associated with a poorer clinical outcome. The figure-of-eight bandage and a simple sling were equal treatments of midshaft clavicle fractures.

• 出版日期2011-4