Nonunion of clavicle treated with precontoured locking compression plate fixation and bone grafting: A long-term outcome

Abstract

Background: Plate fixation with bone grafting is the treatment of choice for nonunion of the clavicle and the use of precontoured locking compression plate (LCP) has been proposed to have an advantage of minimal hardware prominence and low rate of implant removal surgery. Materials and Methods: The retrospective analysis was performed to assess the long-term efficacy of precontoured LCP and bone grafting in nonunion of the clavicle. Fifteen patients who had undergone the surgery were assessed retrospectively in terms of clinical and radiological outcome for 4.1 years (range 2–7 years). The outcome was assessed using clinical and functional assessment by QuickDASH scoring and visual analog scale (VAS) system, radiological assessment in terms of union, time of return to previous activities, and any adverse results during the surgery or in the postoperative follow-up. Results: The radiological consolidation was achieved in all patients in a mean period of 18 weeks (range14–20 weeks). All patients returned to their previous activity level in a mean period of 5.9 months (range 2.5–9 months). There was a statistically significant improvement in QuickDASH and VAS scores (P < 0.05); however, one patient had symptomatic hardware prominence. Conclusion: The use of precontoured LCP in nonunion clavicle is a well-tolerated surgery giving promising results with most patients returning to previous activity level with the advantage of minimal hardware prominence and low rate of implant removal surgery.