Research: Fixing Midshaft Clavicle Fractures-A Biomechanical Research Study Poster

Operative plate fixation of displaced mid-shaft clavicle fractures has been shown to improve the functional outcomes and decrease the likelihood of non-union over non-surgical techniques. The purpose of the study was to biomechanically compare the pull-out strength of two locking bicortical screws versus three non-locking bicortical screws used in plate fixation of midshaft clavicle fractures. We hypothesized there would be no significant difference in pull-out strength between the experimental groups and the load to failure of the two fixation methods would both exceed the reported load to failure in other more physiologic cantilever bending midshaft clavicle fracture-plate biomechanical models.

There was no significant difference in stiffness, cyclic displacement, yield or ultimate load between the constructs. Three non-locking screws demonstrated an average ultimate load of 2496 +/-1102 N, while the two locking screws had an ultimate load of 2715 +/-1150 N. This remained true when examining the data with the removal of outliers, as well as when examining only the desired method of failure (screw pullout).

Despite not demonstrating significant differences between our two experimental groups, the absolute values for pull-out strength of both groups exceed the reported load to failure in other more physiologic cantilever bending midshaft clavicle fracture-plate biomechanical models. This demonstrates that using either two locking bicortical, or three non-locking bicortical screws on both sides of the fracture site, is not the limiting factor in midclavicular fracture fixation strength and therefore, our study supports the use of two locking bicortical screws on each side of the fracture site rather than three screws for plating of midshaft clavicle fractures. The clinical implications include decreased cost, surgical time, incision length, periosteal exposure, plate length, number of screws and drill holes, and the ability to use shorter, simpler, and easier to apply standard straight plates along the straight segment of the mid-shaft clavicle.

The standard of care for plating displaced midshaft clavicle fractures has been six cortices of purchase on each side of the fracture. The use of locking plates and screws may afford equivalent biomechanical strength with fewer cortices of purchase on each side of the fracture which research studied.