[Results of the treatment of clavicular pseudarthrosis]

The problems encountered with pseudarthrosis of the clavicle reviewed with reference to 28 patients. Non-union was posttraumatic in 25 cases, due to osteotomy in 2, and postradiation in 1. The preceding treatment had been conservative in 16 cases and surgical in 12. In 26 cases ORIF was performed, with additional bone grafting in 21 cases. Symptoms leading to operation were pain and weakness of the shoulder. In addition, plexus irritation was present in 3 and a thoracic outlet syndrome in 2 cases. At follow-up, bony healing had been achieved in 24 of the 26 cases. No symptoms were present in 23 patients, and these all had a normal ROM of the shoulder. In 1 patient - who had undergone multiple previous operations and local irradiation - slight pain and limited motion were observed despite bony union. In 2 cases non-union is still present, with persistent symptoms.