Introduction: The role of routine clinical and radiographic follow-up after clavicle fractures are healed was evaluated.
Methods: A retrospective study performed in two level-1 trauma centers included 246 adults with healed clavicle fractures treated surgically between 2000 and 2013 and at least 24-month follow-up. Based on radiographs, changes in fracture alignment or implant position from union to final follow-up were documented. The average reimbursement for a follow-up clinical visit and a clavicle radiograph was estimated.
Results: Mean time to union and mean time of follow-up were of 4.8 and 31.4 months, respectively. No changes in implant position or fracture alignment occurred after the fracture had healed. The amount reimbursed to our institution for two clinical visits and two clavicle radiographs was approximately $300 to $540.
Conclusion: Once clavicle fractures are healed, further radiographic imaging does not provide any notable information. Limiting routine follow-up is safe and could be cost-effective for the healthcare system.
Level Of Evidence: Level-III retrospective cohort study.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.5435/JAAOS-D-17-00598 | DOI Listing |
Cureus
November 2024
Trauma and Orthopedics, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, GBR.
Introduction: Clavicle fractures are routinely encountered in orthopedic clinical practice and have often been the subject of debate when it comes to optimal treatment. Clavicle fracture surgery has come a long way with excellent pre-contoured superior locking plates available for fixation. This study aimed to evaluate a cohort of patients operated for displaced mid-shaft clavicle fractures by open reduction and internal fixation using superior clavicle locking plates.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Shoulder Elbow Surg
December 2024
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, UPMC Freddie Fu Sports Medicine Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. Electronic address:
Purpose: Although open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is the gold standard treatment for displaced midshaft clavicle fractures, recent studies have advocated for nonoperative management, citing high rates of reoperation associated with operative intervention. However, no studies have compared nonoperative management to ORIF with dual-plate fixation, which may be associated with lower rates of reoperation compared to single-plate fixation. The purpose of this study was to compare the complications and patient-reported outcomes of dual mini-fragment plate fixation to nonoperative management for displaced midshaft clavicle fractures.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArch Orthop Trauma Surg
December 2024
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, NW 14th Street, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
Objective: What is the effect of surgical or conservative treatment on the in-hospital outcomes of patients with combined fractures of the clavicle and ribs?
Design: Retrospective cohort study.
Setting: Two level-1 trauma centers and academic teaching hospitals in Boston, Massachusetts.
Patients: All adult patients with a clavicle fracture and ≥3 rib fractures admitted from 2016 to 2021.
J Long Term Eff Med Implants
December 2024
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
Conservative treatment of clavicle fractures has the disadvantage of substantial pain and discomfort, whereas internal fixation of these fractures has a high rate of non-union. External fixation is an alternative method permitting early mobilization without disrupting the surrounding soft tissue envelope. These are extremely beneficial in young, athletic and highly functional patients as well as in patients with comminuted fractures.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCureus
November 2024
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Duzce University, Duzce, TUR.
Obstetric brachial plexus injury (OBPI) is an important preventable complication of the birth process. While most cases recover in the early period, a substantial number result in sequelae. Despite established risk factors, there are cases that occur without any apparent risk factors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!