Functional and radiological outcomes following management of Neer’s type 2 unstable lateral clavicular fracture using the clavicular hook plate

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to assess the clinical and radiological results following using clavicular hook plates (CHPs) for the management of Neer’s type 2 unstable distal clavicular fractures (DCFs).
Methods
A total of 25 patients were treated with CHPs for DCFs. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and the Constant and Murley scores were used to evaluate the shoulder functional outcomes at the end of at least 1-year after surgery. The radiological assessment involved bone union evaluation and comparison of preoperative and postoperative coracoclavicular distance.
Results
The mean Constant and Murley score was 90.28 ± 3.66, while the mean ASES score was 92.44 ± 4.91 at the end of at least 1-year follow-up. Bone union was established in all patients after a mean time interval of 2.42 ± 0.57 months postoperative. The mean coracoclavicular distance showed significant improvement from 19.48 ± 1.67 to 9.96 ± 1.02 at 1-year follow-up. An overall complication rate of 48% was observed.
Conclusions
Successful functional and radiological outcomes are associated with using CHPs for the treatment of DCFs. However, the rate of complications with CHP was high.
Level of evidence
Level IV, Therapeutic study.