Os acromiale may be a contraindication of the clavicle hook plate: case reports and literature review

Background Os acromiale can be potentially missed or misdiagnosed as acromion fracture, and this can affect treatment determination if it is complicated with an ipsilateral shoulder injury. The clavicle hook plate is a widely used technique for distal clavicle injuries, leading to transacromial erosion, particularly when in the presence of os acromiale. Case presentation A 70-year-old man and a 78-year-old man who had limited mobility and severe pain in their right shoulders following falls attended the emergency center. Both patients were diagnosed with os acromiale with CT or MRI and acute distal clavicle fracture or acromioclavicular joint dislocation. Following a comprehensive evaluation, os acromiale may limit the application of a clavicle hook plate due to potential transacromial erosion. The distal clavicle fracture with ipsilateral os acromiale received treatment with a volar radius locking T plate, and the acromioclavicular joint dislocation with ipsilateral os acromiale was reconstructed using suture anchors. Both yielded satisfactory outcomes and voided transacromial erosion. Conclusions Ipsilateral os acromiale may be a relative contraindication to the clavicle hook plate. An axillary lateral radiograph is recommended to detect potential os acromiale in patients using a hook plate.

Acromioclavicular Joint Pseudo-dislocations with Lateral end Clavicle Fracture: A Rare Injury and Proposed Technique of Fixation

Introduction: Lateral end clavicle fractures are rare injuries in pediatric and adolescent population. Most of these injuries can be managed conservatively. However, in patients with acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) “pseudo-dislocations” associated with significant clinical deformity, some patients will benefit from operative intervention. Case Report:Our reported case is a young adolescent with a Type IV Dameron and Rockwood distal clavicle fracture and ACJ pseudo-dislocation, who underwent surgical fixation for this injury. We propose a novel technique of fixation with a suture anchor and endo button with temporary K wire stabilization. These are rare injuries and there are no standardized techniques for reconstruction and fixation. Stabilization with a suture anchor can provide a minimally invasive method of fixation for such injuries without the traditional plating and can lead to excellent final outcomes. Conclusion:ACJ pseudo-dislocations are rare injuries. There is limited evidence in guiding the management of such injuries. Our proposed technique of fixation with suture anchor, endo button and temporary stabilisation with K-wire can provide promising results. Keywords:Clavicle fracture, paediatrics, suture anchors, acromioclavicular joint, trauma.

REHABILITATION OF A CONSERVATIVELY MANAGED CLAVICULAR FRACTURE

The collarbone, or wishbone, is a thin, S-shaped bone about 6 inches (15 cm) long and serves as a support between the shoulder blade and the sternum (sternum). Clavicle fracture so occur as a result of injury or trauma. The most common site of fracture is the junction between the two curvatures of the bone, which is the weakest point. The displacement post fracture is most common in clavicular fracture because the attachment of the muscle sternocleidomastoid pulls the Sternal head upwards and the pectoral muscle pulls the distal clavicle downwards. After a distal clavicle fracture, radiographic nonunion has been identified in 10% to 44% of patients. Most of clavicular fractures are managed non-surgically by physical therapy which consists of a rehabilitation program without hampering the fracture healing, the rehabilitation consists of pain reduction, improving strength and range of motion of the shoulder, Scapular and neck muscles and postural correction exercises in addition to a brace to support the upper limb as the clavicle is the bone connecting the Axilla to the shoulder girdle. And the patient is started with medical management which usually consist of analgesics. 62 year old male patient with left clavicle fracture was diagnosed on x-ray after a hit from a bullock cart. Following this incident the patient underwent a prompt series of physical rehabilitation which included strengthening exercises, thoracic expansion exercises, breathing exercises. The case report suggests that a physiotherapy treatment procedure led to the improvement of functional goals progressively and significantly.

Can Only Fix Sternoclavicular Joint to Treat Bipolar Clavicle Injury?

Background: Owing to the rarity of bipolar clavicle injury, treatment remains controversial. The purpose of this study is to report treatment of bipolar clavicle injury with internal plate fixation.Methods: We present our experience of clavicle hook plating for sternoclavicular joint dislocation and anatomical plating for distal clavicle fracture for the treatment of three consecutive bipolar clavicle injuries with different injury patterns. At follow up, radiographs were assessed for joint congruity, fracture union, and implant failure. Clinical evaluation included Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), Constant and Murley Score, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and complications.Results：All patients had a minimum follow-up of six months. Each fracture had solid union, and each dislocation showed no sign of recurrent dislocation, the mean shoulder forward flexion was 153.3°±10.4°, the mean DASH score was 13.9±9.2 points. The mean Constant and Murley score was 82.3±12.3 points, and, the mean VAS score was 2.2±2.0 point. No complications were encountered, and each patient was highly satisfied with their treatments.Conclusion: Our experience of using internal plating for bipolar clavicle injury is positive, as it allows early mobilization and resulted in good joint function. Also, only sternoclavicular joint fixation might be sufficient for some part of bipolar clavicle injury, acromioclavicular joint fixation is not necessary unless residual instability existence.

Anatomic Locking Plate Fixation and Coracoclavicular Stabilisation with Multistrand Titanium Cable for Unstable Distal Clavicle Fracture

Objective: The aim of this study was to introduce a modified surgical procedure using anatomic locking plate (ALP) fixation and coracoclavicular (CC) stabilisation with multistrand titanium cable (MTC) to repair unstable distal clavicle fractures, and to estimate clinical effects of these people. Materials and methods: Between July 2016 and April 2018, we treated 7 patients with unstable distal clavicle fracture by ALP fixation and CC stabilisation with MTC. After the surgery, we followed up every patient for at least 24 months and analysed their clinical results. Results: The average term required for fracture healing was 9.9 (range, 9–12 weeks) and all cases are successful in fracture healing. The average Constant score was 94.6 points (range, 92–100) at the last follow-up; the modified University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder rating scale was 33.4 points (range, 31–35) at the last follow-up. There was no infection, hardware failure and iatrogenic fracture in all the cases. Conclusions: ALP fixation and CC stabilisation with MTC is a really good method for the treatment of unstable distal clavicle fractures. This surgical technique can provide stable fixation for early functional exercise, and prevent extra shoulder joint damage.

Treatment of distal clavicle fracture of Neer type II with locking plate in combination with titanium cable under the guide

To observe and compare the curative effect of a locking plate plus titanium cable under the Guide device and clavicular hook plate in the treatment of Neer type II distal clavicle fractures. A prospective cohort study was conducted to analyse the clinical data of 36 patients with distal clavicle fractures from January 2016 to January 2019. The results were analysed. According to the random number method, the patients were divided into two groups: the titanium cable group (fixed with a titanium cable in combination with a locking plate) and hook plate group (fixed with a clavicular hook plate only). Under the guidance of a special device (for which a patent was obtained), in the titanium cable group, the coracoclavicular ligament was fixed with tension reduction, and then the distal clavicular fracture was fixed with a locking plate. In the hook plate group, the distal clavicle fracture was fixed with a hook plate. The incision length, operation time, bleeding volume and VAS score before, 1 week after and 1 year after the operation were compared between the two groups. The effect of the operation was evaluated by the Constant-Murley score before and 1 year after the operation. X-ray films were taken 2 days, 3 months, half a year and 1 year after the operation to observe the reduction and healing of fractures. At the same time, complications were recorded. The amount of bleeding was the same in the two groups. The operation time in the hook plate group was relatively short, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The VAS score in the titanium cable group was significantly lower than that in the hook plate group one year after the operation. The Constant-Murley score in the titanium cable group and hook plate group was significantly higher 1 year after the operation. The number of postoperative complications in the titanium cable group was significantly lower than that in the hook plate group. The treatment of Neer type II distal clavicle fractures with a titanium cable plus a locking plate has a good curative effect, few complications and good postoperative recovery and thus is worth popularizing.

Distal clavicle fracture malunion associated with scapular dyskinesis treated with 3D preoperative planning

A 44-year-old woman with distal clavicular malunion and scapular dyskinesis, causing limited shoulder elevation, underwent clavicular osteotomy 2 years postinjury. We used three-dimensional (3D) surface data from both injured and intact sides for correction of the distal clavicular shape by closing wedge osteotomy. The plate position and screw directions were decided preoperatively. Surgery was performed with reference to a 3D-printed, reduced model. Range of shoulder motion and scapular dyskinesis improved by 1 year postoperatively. Precise corrective osteotomy for distal clavicular malunion, referencing a 3D-printed, reduced model, improved scapular dyskinesis and range of shoulder motion 2 years postinjury.