Functional outcome of titanium elastic nailing in midclavicular fractures

With changing trends in the treatment of displaced mid-third clavicle fractures, more and more fractures are treated surgically. Even though plating remains the gold standard, minimally invasive technique with Titanium Elastic Nail (TEN) is gaining popularity. In this paper, we are assessing the functional outcome of mid third clavicle fracture treated with TEN. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with midclavicular fractures were treated with TEN. Functional and radiological results were evaluated at 3, 6 and 12 months. Implant was removed in all cases after union. Results: All cases united without any infection and constant scores were 91.3, 96.3 and 98.7 at 3, 6 and 12 months respectively. 46% complained of prominent implant medially and in three patients we had to trim the medial end of implant. Clavicular shortening observed were also in acceptable limits. Conclusion: Titanium elastic nailing is a simple, safe, cosmetically preferred and minimally invasive technique for midclavicular fractures with good functional outcome and fewer complications.