Locking or Non-locking Hook Plate in Treatment of Unstable Lateral Clavicle Fracture

The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes and complications of locking or nonlocking clavicular hook plate for fixation of unstable lateral clavicle fractures. All patients with unstable Neer type II lateral clavicle fractures were operated in our hospital from January 2011 to December 2012. The included participants received either locking or nonlocking clavicular hook plate operations. Demographic data, medical records and radiographs were reviewed retrospectively. At the last follow-up, shoulder function was evaluated with Constant-Murley scoring system. Our findings suggest that locking clavicular hook plates are equally useful for treating unstable lateral clavicular fractures, but in face of complicated ones, the locking hook plate would not get more benefits than nonlocking hook plate.