The use of precontoured plates for midshaft clavicle fractures is not always the best course of treatment.

Abstract

Plate fixation has become the preferred approach for treating displaced midshaft clavicle fractures. However, plate fixation of the clavicle presents several unique challenges, including its complex bony architecture and its immediate subcutaneous location. In many cases, we have observed that precontoured implants do not conform to the clavicular anatomy, and many patients complain of postoperative implant-related discomfort. A total of 111 clavicles, both left and right sides, were examined to match two commonly used designs of anatomical pre-contoured superior anterior clavicle plates, with and without lateral extension. The anteroposterior (AP) plane congruence of the plate to the underlying bone, the vertical gap between the bone and plate, and the length of the plate that was off the bone either anteriorly and/or posteriorly at both ends of the clavicle were measured. The scoring system was used to determine the fit of the implant on the clavicle as anatomic, good, or poor. We found that the maximum superior bow of the clavicle was lateral to the midline by 30.75 mm and 30.5 mm on the right and left sides, respectively. The magnitude of the bow was 4.28 mm and 4.46 mm on the right and left sides, respectively. We also found that the plate was a poor fit in 75.86% of cases on the left side and 73.5% of cases on the right side. Manipulating the plates during surgery was very difficult in the AP plane.