OUTCOME OF CLAVICULAR HOOK PLATE IN MANAGEMENT OF UNSTABLE LATERAL CLAVICULAR FRACTURES

Background: Lateral clavicular fracture is a topic in orthopedicfracture care, that has been heavily debated over the last decades. The aim of the current study was to assess the results of hook plate in management of lateral clavicular fractures. Patients and Methods: Twenty-onelateral clavicular fractures, in 21 patients were prospectively included in the current study. There were 15 males and 6 females, with a mean age of 32.8 years. A clavicular hook plate was used inreduction and fixation of the fractures in all patients.The plate was electively removed after 6 months postoperatively. Results: The averageduration of follow-up was 31 months (range, 24 to 41). Union was achieved in all cases at an average of 8.7 weeks (range, 6 to 12). The average VAS for pain was 2.3 (range, 0 to 4) at 6 months and 2.2 (range, 0 to 4) at final follow-up. The average active shouldermovements in the latest follow-up were as follows abduction 1158 (120?170), forward flexion 160 (range, 130 to170), external rotation 35 (range, 30 to 45) and internal rotation 50 (range, 30 to 65). The mean age adjusted constant score was 88 (range 82?94) in the 6 months follow up, which improves significantly to 94 (range, 84 to 100) in the last follow-up (p<0.01). Conclusion: Fixation of unstable lateral clavicular fractures using clavicular hook plate yielded good results and complications, however routine plate removal is mandatory to avoid rotator cuff problems.