Operative versus conservative management in mid shaft clavicle fracture: A 2 year randomized controlled study

Abstract

Background: Clavicle fractures are common injuries in active individuals, and it is becoming increasingly apparent that clavicular malunion is a distinct clinical entity with radiographic, orthopedic, neurologic, and cosmetic features. Aims: To analyze the outcome of managements of nonoperative and operative procedures in fracture clavicle. Materials and Methods: This two year randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Department of Orthopaedics of Shri B M Patil medical college from January 2014 to December 2015. After taking institutional ethical clearance and informed consent of the patients. Injuries were classified according to the robinson classification scheme. Patients were treated either conservatively or operatively and followed up at 6 weeks and 3, 6, and 12 months. Results: The mean time for fracture healing was significantly shorter in the operative group (14.6 ± 0.70 weeks) than nonoperative group (22.47 ± 0.74 weeks). The difference is statistically highly significant (P < 0.000). DASH score and Constant Moore Score were significantly better in the operative group. Constant Moore Score was 94.21 in O (OP & ON) and NO was 78.6 and CM SCORE in OP was 96.8 and ON was 91.62Conclusion: Operative fixation of the clavicle fracture results in improved functional outcome, shorter time for union compared with nonoperative treatment at 2 year of follow up and primary operative intervention in clavicle fracture in active adults may be of immense importance.