Performance of military tasks after clavicle plating
Jeannie Huh1, Matthew A Posner, Russell R Bear
1Brooke Army Medical Center, 3851 Roger Brooke Drive, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA.
Military Medicine
|September 3, 2011
Summary
Plate fixation for midshaft clavicle fractures in active duty military personnel shows high union rates and good functional outcomes, enabling return to duty for most. However, some limitations persist for a quarter of patients one year post-surgery.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Military Medicine
- Trauma Management
Background:
- Management of displaced midshaft clavicle fractures in active duty military personnel presents unique challenges due to the population's high physical demands.
- Plate fixation is a common surgical intervention, but its functional outcomes in this specific demographic require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report military-relevant functional outcomes following plate fixation for displaced midshaft clavicle fractures in active duty service members.
- To assess patient satisfaction, pain levels, range of motion, and ability to perform military-specific tasks after surgical intervention.
Main Methods:
- Nested cross-sectional analysis of active duty service members from a multicenter randomized trial on clavicle plating.
- Inclusion criteria required 26 months of follow-up.
- Outcome measures included radiographic assessment, physical examination, a military-specific questionnaire, and validated shoulder surveys.
Main Results:
- A total of 28 clavicle fractures were analyzed with a mean follow-up of 13 months.
- The union rate by 12 weeks was 93% (26/28), with one instance of hardware-related soft tissue irritation.
- At latest follow-up, 75% reported satisfaction, 68% experienced mild/no pain, 79% had full range of motion, 75% could perform push-ups, and 21% had deployed.
Conclusions:
- Plate fixation for midshaft clavicle fractures in active duty personnel can lead to rapid healing and successful return to military-specific tasks for the majority.
- While outcomes are generally positive, approximately 25% of patients experience some functional limitations at the one-year mark.
- Surgical management with plate fixation is a viable option for active duty military personnel with displaced midshaft clavicle fractures, balancing functional recovery with military readiness.
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