SURGICAL TREATMENT OF CLAVICULAR FRACTURES IN SPORT

Clavicular fractures are common in sport practice, they are easily diagnosed and have a relative good forecast. Nevertheless there is no consensus among orthopedic surgeons regarding treatment for displaced midle-third clavicular fractures (Robinson’s classification 2B2) and lateral-third fractures. The tendency toward operative treatment is increasing due to the earlier sport recovery. Objectives: The aim of the paper is to present the results of treatment of 98 clavicular fractures in the Clinic Gastaldi of Traumatology during the period from 1997 to 2016, analyzing the radiologic and clinical results. Methods: The serie consists of 89 patients, 80 males and 9 females, average age 32.2 years. From them, 89 were agude fractures and 9 nonunion (after conservative treatment). According to the Thomsom classification there were 82 middle-third and 16 lateral-third. Motorbike sport trauma was the cause of 49 patients (55%), bike trauma in 18 (20%), 18 (20%) fractures occurred due to contact sports and 3 other causes. All patients were surgically treated. We used an antero-superior approach, open reduction and internal fixation with antero-superior plate osteosynthesis. In case of nonunion we decorticated the fracture callus, adding intramedullary reaming and graft bone. PRP (Platelet Rich-Plasma) was used in 8/9 patients. Postoperatively, the patients were placed in a sling. After that they began a rehabilitation program that consists of isometrics, pendular and active movements until 45° during 3 weeks. From 4th to 6th week, active movements until 90°. The patients began free movements after the 6th week. Results: Fracture healing mean was 10 weeks. Bikes and motorbikes were able to ride again between 10 to 21 days after surgery (once removed stitches). All patients retrieved full shoulder range of motion and returned to their previous activity level. Complications: we had no nonunion rates after surgical treatment, neither infections. 1 case of insufficient plate fixation and 4 re-fractures which required surgical treatment. Conclusion: We suggest surgical treatment for clavicular fractures in adult patients, contact sports with IIB and IIIB fractures, re-fractures and painful nonunion. Surgical treatment with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of displaced middle-third clavicular fractures achieved shorter time to complete return to sport and earlier bone union.