Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical results of distal-end fractures of the clavicle. We evaluated 72 distal-end fractures of the clavicle. There were 48 men and 24 women, the mean age was 45.1 years old (range, 12-90 years old) and the mean follow-up period was 7.9 months (range, 6-13 months). The types of fracture were classified by Takubo's classification. The clinical results were evaluated by the range of elevation and duration of bone union on X-rays. Type I fractures were 30 cases, 20 cases were treated non-operatively. In the non-operative group, a complete union was obtained in 17 cases and the average duration of bone union was 3.6 months. The other 3 cases were nonunion, and these patients were significantly older than the patients in the union group, but were free from pain or restriction of the ROM. Type II b fractures were 26 cases, in 18 cases treated with a tension band wiring, a complete union was obtained in 16cases. The other 2 cases were cutout, and these patients were significantly older than patients in the union group. Type V fractures were 8 cases treated with tension band wiring or plate fixation. A complete union was obtained in all cases. Type VI was 5 cases treated with a tension band wiring, all cases obtained a complete union.
