• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.189-198
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• 2021

Midshaft clavicle fractures are the most common fracture of the clavicle accounting for 80% of all clavicle fractures. Traditionally, midshaft clavicle fractures are treated with conservative treatment even when prominent displacement is observed; however, recent studies revealed that nonunion or malunion rate may be higher with conservative treatment. Moreover, recent studies have shown better functional results and patient satisfaction with surgical treatment. This review article provides a review of clavicle anatomy, describes the current clavicle fracture classification system, and outlines various treatment options including current surgical options for clavicle fracture in adults.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.46-50
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• 1998

The superior shoulder suspensory complex is composed of glenoid fossa, coracoid process, coracoclavicular ligament, distal clavicle, acromioclavicular ligament, acromion. Traumatic double disruptions of this complex lose its suspensory action on the shoulder joint and result in functional loss and deformity. Careful radiologic evaluation and appropriate management are required for injuries to this complex. Ipsilateral fractures of clavicle and scapula create unstable anatomic situation on shoulder joint. Conservative treatment usually fails to achieve good functional recovery due to rotator cuff weakness, nonunion, delayed union, malunion and neurovascular injury. Authors studied the result of operative treatment of ipsilateral clavicle and scapular fractures to prevent such complications. Seven cases were treated with open reduction and internal fixations of clavicle alone or clavicle and scapula simultaneously and followed up for nineteen months(twelve months - thirty-eight months). All but one patient showed good or excellent functional result according to the scoring system of Rowe. Poor result was developed in the case which had brain injury. Rigid fixations of clavicle alone or clavicle and scapular fractures both can achieve stable reduction of the fractures and prevent sequelae. We concluded that operative treatment of ipsilateral fractures of clavicle and scapula is safe and yields predictable good results.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2015

Background: To report the radiological and clinical outcomes of internal fixation using distal clavicle hook plates for distal clavicle fractures. Methods: From April 2008 to December 2012, 32 patients with distal clavicle fractures underwent surgery using an AO hook plate. The reduction was qualified and evaluated according to the radiological findings. The evaluation of the clinical outcomes was performed with the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score, the Korean Shoulder score, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score. Results: By radiological evaluation, we found that 31 of 32 patients showed anatomical reduction and solid bone union. Although we obtained satisfactory UCLA scores, Korean Shoulder Scale scores, and VAS pain scores, 12 cases of complications were present. We found 4 cases of osteolysis of the acromion, 1 case of nonunion, 3 cases of periprosthetic fractures, 3 cases of subacromial pain, and 1 case of skin irritation. We performed re-operations in 2 patients. Conclusions: To avoid complications associated with clavicle hook plates, choosing the appropriate hook size and bending of the hook according to the slope of the acromion undersurface is critical. Also, we believe that early removal of clavicle plates may help reduce complications.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.19-21
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• 2011

Clavicle Hook pate was commonly used in the injury around distal clavicle such as fractures, acromio-clavicular joint injury. We experienced a case of impingement syndrome following operation of distal clavicle fracture using Clavicle Hook plate. So we report this case with a reiview of current literatures.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.198-202
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• 2020

Simple clavicle fractures can achieve satisfactory results through conservative treatment, and the less frequency of nonunion. Non-union or malunion can occur in displaced clavicle fractures or comminuted shaft fractures. Treatment of displaced comminuted clavicle shaft fractures is performed by holding together the free fragments with interfragmentary screws or wires and fixing them to the clavicle with a plate. Therefore, we performed interfragmentary fixation using open reduction and internal fixation with bioresorbable screws (Mg-Ca alloy, Resomet bioresorbable bone screw; U&I Corp.) and bioresorbable wires (Mg-Ca alloy, Resomet bioresorbable K-wire and pin, U&I Corp.) for displaced comminuted clavicle fractures (Robinson type 2B) and additionally used a metal plate. We expected decreased irritation and infection due to absorption after surgery. We report four cases that were treated in this way.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.209-215
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• 2016

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the clinical and radiological outcomes of hook plate fixation for lateral end fracture of the clavicle and acromioclavicular dislocation. Methods: There were a total of 20 cases with lateral end fracture of the clavicle and 16 cases with acromioclavicular dislocation. All patients were evaluated for range of motion, functional score by using Constant score, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons shoulder index at just before implant removal and at final follow-up. Coracoclavicular distance was measured in acromioclavicular dislocation and bony union was evaluated in the lateral end fracture of the clavicle. Results: The clinical outcomes and range of motion were increased at the final follow-up compared with just before implant removal in both the lateral end fracture of the clavicle and acromioclavicular dislocation. In acromioclavicular dislocation, all cases-except one-showed maintenance of reduction after implant removal. Moreover, in the lateral end fracture of the clavicle, all cases-except one-showed bony union. Conclusions: Hook plate fixation in the lateral end fracture of the clavicle and acromioclavicular dislocation resulted in good clinical and radiological results.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.67-71
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• 2024

Clavicle fractures are frequent injuries accounting for approximately 4% of all fractures in adults with about 35% occurring in the shoulder region among which midshaft fractures are the most common (>66%). Nonsurgical management is the treatment of choice for most clavicle fractures; however, poor functional and aesthetic outcomes may result from nonunion, symptomatic malunion, and aesthetic impairment which are the most common complications. A young woman was referred to our clinic for a "Step Deformity" resulting after primary, nonsurgical treatment of a midshaft clavicle fracture. Residual deformity was corrected with a novel simple and little invasive approach. Midshaft clavicle fractures typically only require conservative nonsurgical treatment, nevertheless suboptimal outcomes may occur. Selective osteotomies and fixation are deemed too invasive when only cosmetic impairment of the clavicle contour is present without any functional or sensitive damage and most patients are discouraged from undergoing surgery. Thus far, no specific focus on this topic, nor exploration of possible correction can be found in the published literature. These residual deformities may be very noticeable sometimes and cause psychological distress and social life impairment. Despite no related functional impairment, this deformity should still be addressed, to improve patients' quality of life.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.105-115
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• 2016

Purpose: While all midshaft clavicle fractures have traditionally been treated with conservative measures, recent operative treatment of displaced, communited midshaft clavicle fractures has become more common. Though a recent increase in operative treatment for midshaft clavicle fractures, we have done the operative methods in limited cases. The aim of this study is to present indications, operative techniques and outcomes of the experienced cases that have applied to this limited group over the previous 10 years. Methods: This study consists of a retrospective review of radiological and clinical data from January of 2005 to July of 2015. Operative criteria for midshaft clavicle fractures having considerable risk of bone healing process were 4 groups - a floating shoulder, an open fracture, an associated neurovascular injury, and a nonunion case after previous treatment. Results: The study consisted of 18 patients who had operative treatment for midshaft clavicle fractures in adults. The most common surgical indication was a floating shoulder (10 cases, 55.6%), followed by nonunion (5 cases, 27.8%), an associated neurovascular injury (4 cases, 22.2%), and open fracture (3 cases, 16.7%). All cases were treated by open reduction and internal fixation in anterosuperior position with reconstruction plate or locking compression plate. Bone union was achieved in all cases except 1 case which was done bone resection due to infected nonunion. Mean bone union period was 19.5 weeks. There were no postoperative complications, but still sequelae in 4 cases of brachial plexus injury. Conclusion: We have conducted an open reduction and internal fixation by anterosuperior position for midshaft clavicle fractures in very limited surgical indications for last 10 years. Our treatment strategy for midshaft clavicle fractures showed favorable radiological results and low postoperative complications.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.138-142
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• 1999

Coracoclavicular ligament is main restraint to superior instability of the distal clavicle. Coracoacromial ligament, extensor tendon of toe, palmaris longus tendon, and Dacron tape have been used to reconstruct coracoclavicular ligament. We used semitedinosus tendon to reconstruct coracoclavicular ligament. The semitendinosus tendon was harvested as a usual fashion. After the distal clavicle and coracoid process were exposed, a hole of six millimeter diameter was made on the center of whole thickness of the distal clavicle. A malleolar screw was fixed from distal clavicle to coracoid process to maintain the reduced position of the acromioclavicular joint. The leading suture of tendon graft was passed through the hole of the distal clavicle and looped under the coracoid process. After leading portion of ten­don graft was looped over the clavicle, sutures were made between each end of the tendon graft with nonabsorbable suture materials.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.168-171
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• 2016

Fractures at the lateral end of the clavicle inevitably require surgical treatment as there is high potential for delayed union or nonunion. Acromioclavicular dislocation also requires stable and solid fixation for healing, and surgical treatment is recommended for the maintenance of joint function. The hook plate maintains the biomechanics of the acromioclavicular joint, enabling early range of motion. Therefore, for the past 10 years, the hook plate has been widely used in distal clavicle fractures and acromioclavicular joint injuries. However, the hook plate is associated with several complications, such as proximal clavicle fractures, widening of the hook hole, rotator cuff tear, subacromial impingement, and often acromial fractures. We report on two unusual cases of acromion fracture after hook plate fixation in patients with distal clavicle fracture and acromioclavicular dislocation alongside a literature review.