Assessment of functional outcome of operative vs conservative management of displaced clavicle fractures

Authors

  • Harpreet Singh Department of Orthopaedics, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
  • Krushna Saoji Department of Orthopaedics, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
  • Sangam Tyagi Department of Orthopaedics, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
  • Dhruv Patel Department of Orthopaedics, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
  • Parth Patel Department of Orthopaedics, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
  • Tilak Patel Department of Orthopaedics, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2455-4510.IntJResOrthop20211607

Keywords:

Dispalced clavicle fractures, Hook plating, Clavicle brace, Non-union

Abstract

Background: clavicle fractures account for approximately 2.6% of all fractures. Middle third fractures account for 80% of all clavicle fractures. Historically, clavicle fractures have been treated mostly nonoperatively with clavicular brace, but due to increase rate of complications such as nonunion and malunion, clavicle fractures are now increasingly being treated surgically which results in lower rate of such complications, besides improved patient oriented outcome and early mobilization.

Methods: Current study is a prospective and observational comparative study, conducted over 30 patients diagnosed with displaced clavicle fractures coming to the department of orthopaedics in a tertiary care hospital in South Rajashthan between January 2019 to June 2020. Patients were then allotted alternatively into two groups. Patients selected for conservative treatment were treated with the figure of eight clavicle brace and arm sling pouch. Patients selected for operative treatment were treated with plating. Functional outcomes were assessed using Constant and Murley score in every follow up at 3 month and 6 month; and fracture union was assessed by serial radiographs taken at sixth week, third month and sixth month.

Results: Among 30 patients, 15 patients were treated conservatively and rest 15 patients were treated surgically with plating. Functional outcome at the end of third and sixth months of follow up were measured by using Constant Murley score and found significantly higher in operative group than conservative group.

Conclusions: In our study, it was found that at the end of 6 month follow up, patients treated surgically with plating had better functional outcomes than conservatively treated patients as measured by Constant and Murley score. It was also seen that, the duration of union and the incidence of complications was less in the operative group as compared to the conservative group.

 

Author Biographies

Harpreet Singh, Department of Orthopaedics, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

professor and hod,

department of orthopaedics

Krushna Saoji, Department of Orthopaedics, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

resident doctor,

department of orthopaedics

Sangam Tyagi, Department of Orthopaedics, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

assistant professor,

department of orthopaedics

Dhruv Patel, Department of Orthopaedics, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

resident doctor,

department of orthopaedics

Parth Patel, Department of Orthopaedics, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

resident doctor,

department of orthopaedics

Tilak Patel, Department of Orthopaedics, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

resident doctor,

department of orthopaedics

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Published

2021-04-26

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Original Research Articles