Mid-Term Patient Satisfaction and Residual Symptoms After Plate Fixation or Nonoperative Treatment for Displaced Midshaft Clavicular Fractures

Objectives: To evaluate mid-term patient-reported satisfaction and residual symptoms after plate fixation (PF) or nonoperative treatment (NOT) for displaced midshaft clavicular fractures. Design: Follow-up survey of randomized controlled trial. Setting: Sixteen teaching and nonteaching hospitals. Participants: All 160 patients with a fully displaced, midshaft clavicular fracture who had been randomized were approached by telephone. Intervention: Randomization for open reduction and internal PF or a sling for 2 weeks (NOT). Main Outcome Measurements: Outcomes were satisfaction with the received treatment, with the cosmetic result and with shoulder function (on a scale of 1–10), and presence of residual symptoms. Results: Seventy-nine patients (40 after PF and 39 after NOT) could be contacted. The median follow-up was 53 (34–79) months. Overall satisfaction was similar for PF and NOT (mean ± SD: 7.7 ± 2.1 vs. 6.9 ± 2.4, P = 0.12), as was satisfaction with the shoulder function (8.9 ± 1.6 vs. 8.4 ± 2.0, P = 0.27). Satisfaction with the cosmetic result was higher after PF (8.2 ± 1.6 vs. 6.8 ± 2.0, P = 0.002). Residual symptoms were frequently present in both groups (55% for PF vs. 41% for NOT, P = 0.26). After PF, 88% of patients would prefer the same treatment again compared with 41% after NOT (P
Source: Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma - Category: Orthopaedics Tags: Original Article Source Type: research