Clinical results of treatment using a clavicular hook plate versus a T-plate in neer type II distal clavicle fractures.

AO clavicular hook plate fixation provides more rigid fixation and good bony union rates for Neer type II distal clavicular fractures. However, the hook may cause rotator cuff tears and subacromial impingement, which adversely affect the clinical results. T-plate fixation is another surgical method of treatment for unstable clavicle fractures, and its clinical efficacy has been demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of AO clavicular hook plate and T-plate fixation for Neer type II distal clavicular fractures. Forty-two patients with Neer type II fractures were divided into 2 groups. The hook plate group comprised 23 patients who underwent hook plate fixation, and the T-plate group comprised 19 patients who underwent distal radius volar locking T-plate fixation. Hook plates were removed 3 to 14 months postoperatively in 15 patients because of shoulder function limitations. All patients were evaluated postoperatively for shoulder pain, activities of daily living, range of motion, strength, and satisfaction according to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Shoulder rating scale. All fractures in the 2 groups achieved stable fixation and bony union. Both groups yielded similar outcomes with regard to shoulder strength and patient satisfaction (P=.207 and P=.398, respectively). Significant differences existed between the 2 groups in the mean scores of shoulder pain, activities of daily living, range of motion, and total UCLA score (P=.001, P=.011, P=.038, and P=.001, respectively). More patients (74%) in the hook plate group had mild to severe shoulder pain than in the T-plate group (16%). However, shoulder pain was relieved and function improved significantly after removal of the hook plate (P=.001). Copyright 2012, SLACK Incorporated.