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- Talk
- 21/09/2022
- UK
A Review of Distal Third Clavicle Fracture Management in the United Kingdom – How Many Are Out There and What Do We Do? A MultiCentre National Collaborative Study
Description
In this presentation, Parag Raval discusses a multicenter review of distal third clavicle fractures, emphasizing the management strategies for these injuries. He highlights that clavicle fractures account for roughly 4% of all adult fractures, and the modified Neer classification proves useful in evaluating displacement and instability. The study aims to analyze the incidence, treatment methods, patient demographics, complications, and union rates associated with these fractures.
Conducted across multiple centers in England during 2019, the study included data from 859 patients, predominantly aged 57, with 87% receiving conservative treatment. The most common causes of injury were simple falls and high-energy impacts. Parag notes that over half of the fractures were type one (unstable or minimally displaced), usually treated conservatively.
The presentation outlines the surgical techniques employed, revealing that hook plates and locking plates were the most frequent fixation methods among the operatively treated patients—who mostly consisted of younger individuals below 60. The data showed a concerning 45% of patients with no reported bone union on follow-up X-rays, although functional outcomes were not documented.
Parag concludes by noting the lack of consensus on optimal management strategies and suggests a pragmatic randomized controlled trial (RCT) to address the variability in treatment approaches, marking this study as a significant review of clavicular fracture treatment in the UK.