Painful nonunion of the clavicle:Associated clinical features and surgical management

Objective To study on the behaviors of nonunion of the clavicle,and evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of the fixation with a reconstruction plate.Methods Retrospective analysis was done on 16 patients who had nonunion of the clavicle and were achieved by fixation with a reconstruction plate later.Results On X-ray, all 16 patients had shortening which rang from 0.8 to 2.8cm in the nonunion clavicle than in the contralateral clavicle (shortening more than 1.5cm or equal 1.5cm on 11 patients). 16 cases were fixated by AO reconstruction plate.When shortening of the clavicle isn't less than 1.5cm,an autogenous bone graft was advocated between the end of clavicle fracture.Each of 14 patients obtained union ,the follow time was from 3 to 12 months,average 8.6 months.Conclusion Painful nonunion of the clavicle usually occur to the clavicle in which shortening is made sure.AO reconstruction plate is effective in the treatment to nonunion of the clavicle.