Associated Factors of Nonunion Following Conservative Management of Distal Clavicle Fractures

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate radiological and clinical outcomes and to analyze factors associated with nonunion after conservative management in patients with distal clavicle fracture. Materials and Methods: We analyzed 29 cases. Neer type, coracoclavicular distance (CCD), initial displacement, comminution, union, and presence of bony union were evaluated by plain radiographs. Clinical outcomes according to University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and subjective shoulder value (SSV) scores were assessed. Results: Six cases (20.7%) had developed nonunion. Three cases had asymptomatic nonunion. Mean UCLA, ASES, and SSV scores were 30.9, 88.3, and 87.0 in the union group and 26.7, 76.2, and 70.8 in the nonunion group. Although the nonunion group had inferior clinical outcome compared to the union group, there was no significant difference between the two groups. Older age and more CCD showed correlation with nonunion (p=0.047, p=0.007). Conclusion: Conservative management of distal clavicle fractures provided satisfactory clinical outcomes. The rate of symptomatic nonunion was 10.4%. Occurrence of nonunion showed correlation with older age and more CCD.