Functional outcomes following non-operative versus operative treatment of clavicle fractures in adolescents

PURPOSE Superiority of non-operative versus operative treatment of clavicle shaft fractures remains unclear. We aimed to assess shoulder function in adolescents following shortened clavicle fracture and compare operative versus non-operative treatment. METHODS Patients aged 12 to 18 years at the time of fracture and minimum 1.5 years post injury were identified for this institutional review board (IRB)-approved study. For this retrospective cohort study, patients were frequency-matched for age, gender, shortening of the clavicle fracture and activity level. The dominant arm was controlled in the statistical model. Initial radiographs were used to measure clavicle shortening. At follow-up, isokinetic testing of both shoulders was performed in flexion, external rotation and the plane of scapular motion. Maximum number of isotonic repetitions and average isometric torque were recorded, as were ASES and DASH scores. Data were analysed comparing non-operative and operative groups and involved and uninvolved shoulders. RESULTS Twenty patients were recruited (18 male, 2 female), with ten in each group. Median clavicle shortening was 17.5 mm (11.4 to 23.6). There was no statistical difference in average ASES (100 vs 99; p = 0.84) or DASH (0.0 vs 1.7; p = 0.08) between non-operative and operative groups, respectively. Results of isokinetic testing comparison between non-operative and operative groups showed no statistical difference for any individual association, controlling for the dominant arm. Among the non-operative group, the involved arm had decreased functional measures compared with the uninvolved arm on all measures, when controlling for dominant arm, and there was increased variability of the functional estimate. CONCLUSIONS The increased variability in functional measures for the non-operative group suggests some patients may have dysfunction.