Objectives: We evaluated the mid-term results of conservative treatment of mid-clavicular fractures in adults.
Methods: Eighty-five patients (60 males, 25 females; mean age 36 years; range 19-61 years) with mid-clavicular fractures were treated conservatively with a figure-of-eight bandage method. Radiographically, 72 fractures were displaced and of two fragments, 13 were displaced and comminuted. Clinical and radiologic results were evaluated after a mean follow-up of 35 months (range 12 to 72 months).
Results: In 84 patients, union was achieved by conservative treatment. Only one patient required surgical treatment. Malunion occurred in seven patients. Clinically, the results were good in 68 (94.4%), moderate in three patients (4.1%), and poor in one patient (1.3%) in two-fragment fractures. Of comminuted fractures, the results were good in 10 (%76.9), and moderate in three patients (23.1%). No significant differences were found between the clinical results.
Conclusion: Conservative treatment of displaced mid-clavicular fractures provide union, making surgical treatment indicated only in a small number of patients with unsatisfactory results.