Operative stabilisation versus non-operative management of mid-shaft clavicle fractures

Fractures of the mid-shaft clavicle are commonly encountered in clinical practice. These can be managed either by conservative method or operative by internal fixation. This study aims to compare the outcomes of conservative and operative management.

Forty patients with displaced and comminuted mid-shaft clavicle fractures were included in the study, among which twenty-five patients were treated conservatively and 15 patients underwent surgery and were followed up for a period of 1 year. Time taken for union, functional outcome, complications, and patient satisfaction were compared.

In the non-operative group, 28% of the fractures took less than twelve weeks to unite, whereas in the operative group 60% of them took less than 12 weeks to unite. At the end of 1 year, there was no statistical difference in mean UCLA (University of California and Los Angeles) score and the mean DASH score of the non-operative group and operative group. There were more complications in the operative group. Re-operative rate in the operative group was 40%. Patient satisfaction was 80% in the non-operative group, whereas 48% of patients were satisfied in the operative group.

Displaced and comminuted mid-shaft clavicle fractures treated conservatively have more advantages when compared to surgically treated fractures.