The Operative Treatment of Mid-Shaft Clavicular Nonunions: Intramedullary Fixation with Threaded Steinmann Pin and Bone Grafting

Yoon, Jeong Ro; Kim, Hak Jun; Kim, Taik Seon; Noh, Haeng Kee

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical and radiological results of the treatment of mid-shaft clavicular nonunions using intramedullary fixation with threaded Steinmann pin and bone grafting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 16 patients treated with intramedullary fixation of threaded Steinmann pin and autogenous iliac bone grafting for the mid-shaft clavicular nonunions, 10 patients with follow-up over 1 year were investigated. All patients (10 clavicle fractures) underwent conservative treatment initially. The average age of patients was 56 years old (range, 18~70 years old). Eight cases were atrophic nonunions, two hypertrophic. A clinical assessment was evaluated postoperatively after 5 months according to the evaluation method of Kona et al.
RESULTS
According to the evaluation method of Kona et al, four cases achieved excellent results, five cases good, and one case achieved a fair result. The average period until bony union was 9 weeks (range, 7~12.5 weeks) without infection, pin migration or breakage. One case showed skin irritation by lateral margin of Steinmann pin, which was subsided by pin removal after bony union.
CONCLUSION
We obtained satisfactory results and have concluded that intramedullary fixation with threaded Steinmann pin and bone grafting could appropriately treat nonunions of the mid-clavicular fracture occurred after conservative treatment, because it minimizes soft tissue injury, gets relatively stable fixation and early ROM, predicts early bone union, facilitates pin removal under local anesthesia.