• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.179-187
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• 2022

To report improvement of 2 hospitalized patients who had clavicle fractures due to traffic accident with Korean medicine complex treatment. We collected a data from February 2020 to April 2022. A total of 2 patients were studied and we compared numeric rating scale (NRS), neck disability index (NDI), range of motion (ROM) at admission and discharge date of hospitalization. After receiving an average of 28.5 days of Korean medicine inpatient treatment, both patients had reduced NRS, NDI scores and increased ROM. After Korean medicine complex treatment, 2 patients with clavicle fracture showed to have been effective. But further studies need to be done.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.95-100
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and complications of hook plate fixation in acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocations and distal clavicle fractures. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a series of 60 consecutive patients with hook plate fixation for AC joint dislocation (group I) and distal clavicle fracture (group II). Groups I and II had 39 and 21 patients, respectively. Clinical results were evaluated using the pain visual analogue scale (VAS), simple shoulder test, and Constant-Murley scores. In addition, subacromial erosion and stiffness were evaluated as complications. Results: At the removal, the pain VAS was $2.69{\pm}1.30$ and $4.10{\pm}2.14$ in groups I and II, respectively, which were significantly different (p=0.003). The simple shoulder test score was $9.59{\pm}1.60$ and $7.81{\pm}2.67$ in groups I and II, respectively, which were also significantly different (p=0.002). Subacromial erosion was significantly more frequent in group II (14/21 patients, 66.7%) than in group I (15/39 patients, 38.5%) (p=0.037), and stiffness was also higher in group II (17/21 patients, 81.0%) than in group I (22/39 patients, 56.4%), but it was not significant. Conclusions: Hook plate fixation showed good clinical and functional results for the treatment of acute unstable AC joint dislocation and distal clavicle fracture. But, in distal clavicle fractures, there are more subacromial erosion and stiffness compare with acute unstable AC joint dislocation.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2021

Background: Recent studies about completely displaced midshaft clavicle fractures have reported that their nonunion/malunion rates were significantly higher in conservatively treated patients compared to surgically treated patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors associated with treatment decisions for midshaft clavicle fractures and also the factors that affect patient satisfaction with their treatment choice. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 75 patients who had been diagnosed with a midshaft clavicle fracture and were treated conservatively at a single institution between March 1, 2013, and December 31, 2014. Their medical records were reviewed to investigate the severity of the initial vertical displacement. A telephone survey was carried out to identify the presence of any patient-perceived deformity and determine if the patient eventually underwent surgery and whether the patient would prefer surgery if the injury recurred. Results: Significantly more patients with vertical displacement ≥100% (9/28) eventually underwent surgery compared to patients with vertical displacement <100% (3/32, p=0.028). Patients with vertical displacement ≥100% (13/28) were significantly more likely to prefer surgery compared to patients with vertical displacement <100% (7/32, p=0.044). Among the conservatively treated patients, nine of 32 participants with a patient-perceived deformity and one of 16 without a patient-perceived deformity responded that they would prefer to receive surgery in same situation in the future (p=0.079). Conclusions: Patients with a midshaft clavicle fracture with vertical displacement of ≥100% may eventually require surgical treatment. When conservative treatment is carried out, the long-term patient results may be unsatisfactory due to perceived residual deformities.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.220-226
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• 2007

Purpose: The distal clavicle has a biomechanical structure different from that of the proximal or middle 1/3 clavicle, and delayed union or nonunion occurs frequently in a distal clavicle fracture. The authors obtained favorable results from an open reduction and bone grafting of the distal clavicle nonunion. We report the results together with review of the relevant literature. Materials and Methods: The subjects were 8 patients(average age, 38.9) who had undergone surgery for distal clavicle nonunion from August 2003 to May 2006. Nonunion occurred after surgical treatment in 4 cases, and after conservative treatment in the other 4. In all cases, the patients complained of pain. Results: The mean follow-up duration was 14 months, and radiological union was observed in 8 weeks on average. In all cases, the range of shoulder joint motion was normal at the end of the follow-up observation. In the functional evaluation, 7 cases showed excellent results and 1 case showed good results. Conclusion: Surgical treatment is a safe and reliable treatment for distal clavicle fracture nonunion because it can achieve early rehabilitation and union.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.456-462
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• 2023

Plate fixation has become the preferred approach for treating displaced midshaft clavicle fractures. However, plate fixation of the clavicle presents several unique challenges, including its complex bony architecture and its immediate subcutaneous location. In many cases, we have observed that precontoured implants do not conform to the clavicular anatomy, and many patients complain of postoperative implant-related discomfort. A total of 111 clavicles, both left and right sides, were examined to match two commonly used designs of anatomical pre-contoured superior anterior clavicle plates, with and without lateral extension. The anteroposterior (AP) plane congruence of the plate to the underlying bone, the vertical gap between the bone and plate, and the length of the plate that was off the bone either anteriorly and/or posteriorly at both ends of the clavicle were measured. The scoring system was used to determine the fit of the implant on the clavicle as anatomic, good, or poor. We found that the maximum superior bow of the clavicle was lateral to the midline by 30.75 mm and 30.5 mm on the right and left sides, respectively. The magnitude of the bow was 4.28 mm and 4.46 mm on the right and left sides, respectively. We also found that the plate was a poor fit in 75.86% of cases on the left side and 73.5% of cases on the right side. Manipulating the plates during surgery was very difficult in the AP plane.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.46-50
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• 1998

The superior shoulder suspensory complex is composed of glenoid fossa, coracoid process, coracoclavicular ligament, distal clavicle, acromioclavicular ligament, acromion. Traumatic double disruptions of this complex lose its suspensory action on the shoulder joint and result in functional loss and deformity. Careful radiologic evaluation and appropriate management are required for injuries to this complex. Ipsilateral fractures of clavicle and scapula create unstable anatomic situation on shoulder joint. Conservative treatment usually fails to achieve good functional recovery due to rotator cuff weakness, nonunion, delayed union, malunion and neurovascular injury. Authors studied the result of operative treatment of ipsilateral clavicle and scapular fractures to prevent such complications. Seven cases were treated with open reduction and internal fixations of clavicle alone or clavicle and scapula simultaneously and followed up for nineteen months(twelve months - thirty-eight months). All but one patient showed good or excellent functional result according to the scoring system of Rowe. Poor result was developed in the case which had brain injury. Rigid fixations of clavicle alone or clavicle and scapular fractures both can achieve stable reduction of the fractures and prevent sequelae. We concluded that operative treatment of ipsilateral fractures of clavicle and scapula is safe and yields predictable good results.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.123-128
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• 2006

Purpose: Surgical reconstruction is usually indicated for type II distal clavicle fracture due to high rate of nonunion and delayed union. We report the clinical outcome of a surgical technique for type II distal clavicle fracture using Mersilen tape and K-wire. Materials and Methods: From 1999 through 2003, this technique has been used on 11 patients with type II distal clavicle fracture. The procedure consist of fracture reduction with a Mersilene tape, repair of torn coracoclavicular ligament, and K-wire fixation of the fracture fragment. All patients with at least 12 months of complete postoperative follow-up were included for functional and radiographic evaluation. We used simple X-ray and UCLA scoring system and constant scoring system for evaluation at last follow up in OPD. Results: Solid union of the fracture could be achieved at 11 weeks after operation in all patients. All patients could return to the same level of preinjury activity. Good and excellent results were obtained in all patients according to UCLA system. Conclusion: This technique was simple procedure and allowed for stable fixation with early mobilization and early return to work and sports.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2015

Background: To report the radiological and clinical outcomes of internal fixation using distal clavicle hook plates for distal clavicle fractures. Methods: From April 2008 to December 2012, 32 patients with distal clavicle fractures underwent surgery using an AO hook plate. The reduction was qualified and evaluated according to the radiological findings. The evaluation of the clinical outcomes was performed with the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score, the Korean Shoulder score, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score. Results: By radiological evaluation, we found that 31 of 32 patients showed anatomical reduction and solid bone union. Although we obtained satisfactory UCLA scores, Korean Shoulder Scale scores, and VAS pain scores, 12 cases of complications were present. We found 4 cases of osteolysis of the acromion, 1 case of nonunion, 3 cases of periprosthetic fractures, 3 cases of subacromial pain, and 1 case of skin irritation. We performed re-operations in 2 patients. Conclusions: To avoid complications associated with clavicle hook plates, choosing the appropriate hook size and bending of the hook according to the slope of the acromion undersurface is critical. Also, we believe that early removal of clavicle plates may help reduce complications.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.66-71
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the usefulness of ultrasonography in evaluating callus formation in radiologically suspected nonunion or delayed union of clavicle fractures during conservative management. Materials and Methods: Six male patients and one female patient (average age: 38.3 years; range: 7 to 70 years), whose conservatively managed clavicle fractures were suspected of nonunion or delayed union, were examined with ultrasonography. If callus formation was detected, the patient continued to receive conservative management. If callus formation was not detected, the patient received operative management. Results: Six patients, in whom callus formation was observed ultrasonographically, continued to receive conservative management. The final simple radiographies of their fractures showed complete unions. One patient, in whom no callus formation was observed ultrasonographically, received operative management. In that patient, there was no operative finding of any fracture healing. Conclusion: Ultrasonography is a useful tool for evaluating callus formation in clavicle fractures suspected of nonunion or delayed union during conservative management. Ultrasonography can be used to avoid unnecessary surgery.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.230-235
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• 2022

Background: Unstable distal clavicles experience high non-union rates, prompting surgeons to recommend surgery for more predictable outcomes. There is a lack of consensus on the optimal method of surgical fixation, with an array of techniques described in the literature. We describe an alternative method of fixation involving the use of a distal clavicular anatomical locking plate with Fibertape cerclage augmentation in our series of patients. Methods: Nine patients (8 males and 1 female), with a mean age of 36 years, who sustained unstable fracture of the distal clavicle in our institution were treated with our described technique. Postoperative range of motion, functional and pain scores, and time to radiographic union were measured over a mean follow-up period of 10 months. Incidences of postoperative complications were also recorded. Results: At the last patient consult, the mean visual analog scale score was 0.88±0.35, with a mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score of 1.46±0.87 and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score of 94.1±3.57. The mean range of motion achieved was forward flexion at 173°±10.6°, abduction at 173°±10.6°, and external rotation at 74.4°±10.5°. All patients achieved internal rotation at a vertebral height of at least L2 with radiographical union at a mean of 10 weeks. No removal of implants was required. Conclusions: Our described technique of augmented fixation of the distal clavicle is effective, produces good clinical outcomes, and has minimal complications.