Mid-term outcome of arthroscopic TightRope fixation of displaced lateral end clavicular fractures: Average follow-up of 6.1 years.

PURPOSE

Various surgical modalities are available to treat Neer types 2 and 5 unstable fractures of lateral end clavicle but none of them are standardized. Arthroscopic fixation of the displaced lateral end clavicle fractures provides good short-term results but mid- to long-term outcomes are not available. The purpose of this study was to show the mid- to long-term radiological and functional outcomes of these fractures treated arthroscopically by a TightRope device, and to show the complications associated with this procedure.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted over 2 years from January 2014 to December 2015 with a minimum 5-year follow-up. Active patients aged 18-50 years with acute (less than 3 weeks) displaced fracture of lateral end of the clavicle, with a minimum 5-year follow-up were included in the study. Patients with associated fractures of the proximal humerus, glenoid, scapula and acromioclavicular joint injuries were excluded from the study along with open fractures and neurovascular injuries. The outcomes were assessed by objective (complications and radiographic examination) and subjective criteria (quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand score, the Constant-Murley score and the visual pain analogue scale). The data were analyzed by SPSS version 21.0.

RESULTS

Totally, 42 patients were operated during the study period and 37 were available with a minimum 5-year follow-up. Thirty were male and 7 were female with a mean age of 29.5 years and a mean follow-up of 6.1 years. The mean quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand score was 68.2 ± 4.6 preoperatively and 1.27 ± 2.32 at final follow-up (p < 0.001); the mean visual pain analogue scale score was 6.85 ± 2.2 preoperatively and 0.86 ± 1.60 at final follow-up (p < 0.001). The average Constant-Murley score was 93.38 ± 3.25 at the end of the follow-up. There were 2 fixation failures, with established non-union and 3 patients developed radiographic acromioclavicular joint arthritis.

CONCLUSIONS

Arthroscopic TightRope fixation of displaced lateral end clavicular fractures provides good radiological and functional outcomes at mid- to long-term follow-up. With the low complication rates and high patient satisfaction, this technique can be considered as a primary option in the surgical treatment of these fractures.