Displaced midshaft clavicle fracture in athletes – should we operate?

To assess the results of the treatment of fractures of the middle third of the clavicle with a pre-contoured plate in athletes. The authors performed 26 osteosyntheseis in 25 patients with fractures of the middle third of the clavicle. The fractures were classified according to Robinson as 16 type B1 and ten type B2. The mean age was 37 years, ranging from 15 to 63 years, 20 patients were male and five were female, and all play sports in an amateur or professional manner. All patients were operated on in the acute phase of fracture within five days after trauma. Patients were treated with open reduction and internal fixation using pre-contoured plates. The technique and the implant used were the same, but the time of immobilization and rehabilitation protocol were individualized for each patient according to physical activity. Mean follow-up was 16.8 months (6–48 months), with return to sport activities in 45.6 days. Functional assessment was performed using the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score. The results averaged 34.07 of 35 points. No cases presented nonunion. Only one complication was observed (thrombosis of the subclavian vein with good response to conservative treatment); two patients required implant removal. The surgical treatment of clavicle fractures in athletes presented satisfactory functional outcome and early return sport. Avaliar os resultados do tratamento de fraturas do terço médio da clavícula com placas pré-contornadas em atletas. Os autores fizeram 26 osteossínteses em 25 pacientes com fratura do terço médio da clavícula. As fraturas foram classificadas de acordo com Robinson como tipo 2B1 (16) e tipo 2B2 (dez). A média de idade foi de 37,6 anos, entre 15 e 63; 20 pacientes eram do sexo masculino e cinco do feminino, todos praticantes de alguma atividade esportiva de forma amadora ou profissional. Todos os pacientes foram tratados com redução aberta e fixação interna com placas pré-contornadas na fase aguda da fratura, dentro de, no máximo, cinco dias após o trauma. A técnica usada e o implante foram os mesmos para todos os pacientes, mas o tempo de imobilização e o protocolo de reabilitação foram individualizados para cada paciente, de acordo com a atividade física. A média do seguimento foi de 16,8 meses (6-48), com liberação para atividade esportiva com média de 45,6 dias. A avaliação funcional foi feita através do escore da Universidade da Califórnia em Los Angeles (UCLA). Os resultados tiveram como mediana 34,0