FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME OF DISPLACED CLAVICLE FRACTURE TREATED BY INTRAMEDULLARY NAILING: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Background:Clavicle fracture is one of the most common injury.Despite the high incidence, the choice of proper treatment is still controversial. This prospective study was done to evaluate functional outcome of displaced clavicle fracture treated by intramedullary nailing.

Material and methods:The study was conducted on 30 patients(25 males and 5 females) with displaced/comminuted clavicle fracture treated by either elastic intramedullary nails or elastic intramedullary nails with endcap.Followupexamination for functional and radiological evaluationwas done at 1 month,3 months and 6 months.

Results: Mean duration of clinical union in comminuted and transverse/oblique fracture was 6.41 weeks and 6.89 weeks respectively while the mean duration of radiological union in comminuted and transverse/oblique fracture was 8 weeks and 8.5 weeks respectively.In co-relation between functional outcome and fracture pattern we obtained P-value 0.418,0.842 and 0.453 for Constant shoulder,DASH and VAS scores respectively which was statically not significant that means there was no relation between fracture pattern and functional outcome.

Conclusion:- The intramedullary fixation of displaced clavicle fracture is a safe minimally invasive technique. The intramedullary nailing holds advantages of high union rate, minimal periosteal stripping and soft tissue damage, minimal blood loss and relatively less complications. This technique provides faster return to daily and professional activities with excellent functional results. Implant removal is easier and can be done as day care procedure under local anesthesia.