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Similar 2-year outcomes seen in injured vs. uninjured limbs after clavicle fracture care
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There were no significant differences in shoulder range of motion, subjective outcomes or strength when investigators of this study compared the injured and uninjured limbs of adolescents 2 years after conservative treatment for displaced clavicle fractures.
“In summary, this series of nonoperatively treated, 100% displaced midshaft clavicle fractures with shortening in an adolescent population demonstrated reliable healing and return to full activity,” Jacob Schulz, MD, and colleagues wrote in their study.
Schulz and colleagues examined the shoulder range of motion (ROM), clavicle length and patient-reported outcomes of 16 patients with an average age of 14.2 years. The researchers also analyzed radiographs at baseline and at 2-year follow-up, according to the abstract.
Using the uninjured shoulder as a control, the investigators noted an 8% decrease in maximum shoulder external strength and an 11% decrease in shoulder abduction endurance strength. However, they found no significant difference between the injured and uninjured limbs for ROM. Compared with the uninjured clavicle, radiographs of the injured clavicle showed significant shortening. According to the abstract, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, QuickDASH and Constant scores of the injured and uninjured limbs were comparable at follow-up.
Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosure.
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