The Frequency of Unsatisfied Patients Treated Conservatively for Midshaft Clavicle Fractures

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the number of unsatisfied patients treated with non-surgical correction of mid-shaft Clavicular fractures. METHODOLOGY: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from April to October 2021. The study enrolled individuals between the ages of 15 and 65 years who had been diagnosed with mid-clavicular fractures and received conservative treatment for three months. Following fracture reduction, patients were fitted with a figure-of-eight bandage or clavicular brace, and their limb was supported using a triangular sling or arm pouch positioned under the elbow and forearm. This treatment regimen was maintained for six weeks. Local examinations of the affected clavicle, including tenderness, instability, deformity, and shoulder movement assessments, were conducted and recorded according to the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score. RESULTS: The study included 87 patients with a mean age of 38.20±7.82 years. Among them, 63(72.41%) male, and 24(27.59%) were female. Additionally, 24(27.59%) patients hypertension, and 35(40.23%) had diabetes mellitus. The study outcomes revealed that 15(17.24%) patients achieved excellent results, 55(63.22%) good outcomes, 12(13.79%) had fair outcomes, and only 5(5.75%) experienced poor outcomes. Notably, 16(18.39%) patients expressed dissatisfaction with the conservative treatment, while 71(81.61%) patients reported being satisfied with the treatment's overall outcome. CONCLUSION: Conservative management of mid-clavicular fractures is associated with a low rate of patient dissatisfaction. It yields favorable outcomes and a high level of patient satisfaction.

Keywords

• mid-clavicular fractures
• conservative management