BackgroundManagement of displaced mid-shaft clavicle fractures is controversial. Non-operative treatment can lead to shortening, a risk factor for non-union and poor functional outcomes. These inferior results have resulted in authors recommending surgical fixation for fractures with significant shortening. The aim of this systematic review is to analyse the effect of fracture shortening on shoulder function and non-union rate in non-operatively managed displaced mid-shaft clavicle fractures.
MethodsA review of the online databases Medline and EMBASE was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines on the 16 th February 2018. The review was registered prospectively on the PROSPERO database. Clinical studies with mid-shaft clavicle fractures treated non-operatively reporting an evaluation of the degree of clavicle shortening, and either shoulder function and/or non-union were included. The studies were appraised using the Methodological index for non-randomised studies tool.
ResultsThe search strategy identified 16 studies eligible for inclusion. Four studies were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and twelve were non-randomised retrospective comparative studies. Eleven of the twelve case series failed to demonstrate any correlation between shortening and shoulder outcome scores. Of the four RCTs, three reported no significant association between fracture shortening and shoulder outcome *Manuscript Click here to view linked References Shortened, displaced mid-shaft clavicle fractures 2 scores. The studies also failed to demonstrate a significant association between nonunion and the presence of clavicle shortening.
ConclusionThere is no significant association between fracture shortening and non-union rates or shoulder outcome scores in displaced mid-shaft clavicle fractures managed nonoperatively.
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