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Does shortening matter after clavicular fractures?
Bulletin (Hospital for Joint Diseases (New York, N.Y.))
|August 4, 1999
Summary
Clavicular fractures with significant shortening (≥15 mm) were thought to impair shoulder function. However, this study found no direct link between clavicular shortening and shoulder function outcomes in patients with fractures.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Traumatology
- Sports medicine
Background:
- Clavicular fractures are common injuries.
- Significant shortening (≥15 mm) of the clavicle after fracture has been historically linked to poor shoulder function.
- Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is often recommended for such cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between the degree of clavicular shortening and shoulder function after fracture.
- To evaluate if significant clavicular shortening is a reliable predictor of poor functional outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 41 patients with clavicular fractures was assessed.
- Clavicular shortening was measured.
- Shoulder function was evaluated using the Constant Scoring system at least three months post-fracture.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant correlation was found between the degree of clavicular shortening and shoulder function scores.
- While three patients with shortening of 1.5 cm or more reported low scores, these outcomes were likely influenced by other confounding factors.
Conclusions:
- The study did not find evidence to support a direct relationship between clavicular shortening and impaired shoulder function.
- The traditional recommendation for ORIF based solely on shortening may need re-evaluation, considering other contributing factors to functional deficits.