Abstract: Background: Clavicular fractures are common and typically occur in young patients, leading to a burden for this active population. Although distal clavicle fractures represent only 25% of all clavicle fracture cases, they constitute 30–45% of cases of non-union, hence surgical intervention. Therefore recent literature suggests surgical management either with Clavicle Hook Plate or Clavicle distal locking plate for all Neer’s Type II distal clavicle fractures. The purpose the study is to compare the results of this fracture management with Clavicle Hook Plate and Clavicle distal locking plate.
Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the functional outcome of clavicle hook plates versus distal clavicle locking plate for the treatment of Neer type II distal clavicle fractures.
Materials and methods: Totally 39 patients (18 retrospective cases and 21 prospective cases) with Neer Type II lateral end clavicle fracture were included in the study. A prospective study was done between July 2019 and June 2021, with a mean follow up of 18.5 months of 21 patients with Neer type II lateral clavicle fractures, treated with clavicle hook plate and Hook plate alternatively. Similarly retrospective analysis was also studied with a mean follow up of 24 months of 18 consecutive patients.
Results: Among the 39 fractures, the average Constant-Murley shoulder joint function score at 3 months was 89.87(range 84.2-93.3) and at 6 months was 94.6 (range 88.4-96.1) for the distal clavicle locking plates, and for the clavicle Hook plates 86.3 (range 80.8-93.5) at 3months and 92.5 (range 86.7-94.3) at 6 months follow-up (P-value < 0.05). The results showed that those patients who underwent surgery with clavicle locking plate had improved Constant-Murley shoulder joint function score as compared to hook plate patients at 6 months follow up in both prospective and retrospective studies.
Conclusion: Our study concludes that clavicular hook plate is better option in compare with distal clavicle locking plate for the treatment of Neer type II distal clavicle fractures in terms of improved Constant-Murley shoulder joint function score.
