Distal Radius Volar T Plate Versus Distal Clavicle Pre-Contoured Locking Plate in Neer 2b Distal Clavicle Fractur: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: The purpose of the current study was to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of distal radius volar T plate and pre-contoured locking plate in distal clavicle fracture. Methods: A total of 60 patients with Neer 2b distal clavicle fracture were included in this study and underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) between March 2019 and November 2020 via two different plates, distal radius volar T plate and distal clavicle pre-contoured locking plate. All patients were followed at least two years post-operative. Union rate, time to union, need to device removal, and Constant-Murley score (CMS) were assessed among them. Results: In all patients, the bony union was achieved without wound-related complications. The mean time to union in distal radius volar T plate group was 3.3 ± 0.6 months and in the pre-contoured locking plate group was 3.6 ± 0.7 (P = 0.14). The mean CMS was 93.1 ± 2.2 and 92.1 ± 2.5 in T plate group and pre-contoured plate group, respectively (P = 0.09). Five cases with T plate and eight cases with pre-contoured plate were candidates for device removal (P = 0.53). Conclusion: Distal radius volar T plate could be a reasonable choice to manage Neer 2b distal clavicle fracture as it restores functional range of motion (ROM) with excellent bone union and without the necessity of device removal, besides its economical price.