Similar outcome, better 12mo DASH score with IM nail vs locking plate for clavicular shaft fractures .
The Effectiveness of a Flexible Locked Intramedullary Nail and an Anatomically Contoured Locked Plate to Treat Clavicular Shaft Fractures: A 1-Year Randomized Control Trial
J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2019 Apr 3;101(7):628-634. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.18.0066072 patients with clavicular shaft fractures were randomized to receive an open reduction and internal fixation procedure utilizing either a anatomically contoured locking plate or an intramedullary nail. The primary outcomes of interest included DASH scores, Constant Shoulder scores, and union rate. Secondary outcomes included operative time, incision length and the rate of hardware failure. Follow up was performed at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months. DASH scores were significantly in favour of the intramedullary nail group at 12 months; no significant differences between groups were observed in DASH scores up to 6 months. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in Constant Shoulder scores or the rate of union. Operative time and incision length were both significantly longer in the locking plate group compared to the intramedullary nail group. Both groups displayed 1 event of hardware failure.
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