Impact of clavicular length change on clinical outcomes after surgical treatment of nonunion: A retrospective study

Purpose Although clavicular fracture nonunion is uncommon, it can lead to pain and alterations in clavicular length, potentially affecting shoulder function. This study investigated the relationship between clavicular length changes and clinical outcomes following nonunion treatment. Methods This re...

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Main Authors: Dong Hwi Kim, Hyung Seok Park, Yong Jin Cho, Jong Hyeon Nam, Chae Hun Lee, GwangChul Lee
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/10225536251364166
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author Dong Hwi Kim
Hyung Seok Park
Yong Jin Cho
Jong Hyeon Nam
Chae Hun Lee
GwangChul Lee
author_facet Dong Hwi Kim
Hyung Seok Park
Yong Jin Cho
Jong Hyeon Nam
Chae Hun Lee
GwangChul Lee
author_sort Dong Hwi Kim
collection DOAJ
description Purpose Although clavicular fracture nonunion is uncommon, it can lead to pain and alterations in clavicular length, potentially affecting shoulder function. This study investigated the relationship between clavicular length changes and clinical outcomes following nonunion treatment. Methods This retrospective study included 30 patients who underwent surgical treatment for clavicular nonunion between January 2013 and December 2021. The clavicle length was measured pre- and postoperatively using anteroposterior radiography. Clinical evaluation involved measuring pre- and postoperative outcomes using the Constant-Murley scoring system. Subgroup analysis was performed by dividing patients into two groups based on the median clavicle length difference. Results The mean age was 45.8 years, and the mean follow-up period was 5.8 years. Osseous union was achieved in all cases. The mean clavicle length difference was 5.57 ± 8.45 mm, indicating a predominance of shortening in the affected clavicle. Functional outcomes demonstrated significant improvement following surgical intervention ( p < .001). A weak negative correlation (r = −0.19, p = .296) was observed between clavicle length difference and score improvement. Subgroup analysis revealed no statistically significant differences in clinical outcomes between the low and high length difference groups ( p = .757). Conclusion Surgical treatment of clavicular nonunion results in significant functional improvement. However, the extent of clavicular length change does not appear to be a major determinant of clinical outcomes. This finding has important implications for surgical planning and patient management in cases of clavicular nonunion.
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spelling doaj-art-ca3604b7478547b0b1bfd54150cbf1ca2025-08-20T02:44:55ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of Orthopaedic Surgery2309-49902025-07-013310.1177/10225536251364166Impact of clavicular length change on clinical outcomes after surgical treatment of nonunion: A retrospective studyDong Hwi KimHyung Seok ParkYong Jin ChoJong Hyeon NamChae Hun LeeGwangChul LeePurpose Although clavicular fracture nonunion is uncommon, it can lead to pain and alterations in clavicular length, potentially affecting shoulder function. This study investigated the relationship between clavicular length changes and clinical outcomes following nonunion treatment. Methods This retrospective study included 30 patients who underwent surgical treatment for clavicular nonunion between January 2013 and December 2021. The clavicle length was measured pre- and postoperatively using anteroposterior radiography. Clinical evaluation involved measuring pre- and postoperative outcomes using the Constant-Murley scoring system. Subgroup analysis was performed by dividing patients into two groups based on the median clavicle length difference. Results The mean age was 45.8 years, and the mean follow-up period was 5.8 years. Osseous union was achieved in all cases. The mean clavicle length difference was 5.57 ± 8.45 mm, indicating a predominance of shortening in the affected clavicle. Functional outcomes demonstrated significant improvement following surgical intervention ( p < .001). A weak negative correlation (r = −0.19, p = .296) was observed between clavicle length difference and score improvement. Subgroup analysis revealed no statistically significant differences in clinical outcomes between the low and high length difference groups ( p = .757). Conclusion Surgical treatment of clavicular nonunion results in significant functional improvement. However, the extent of clavicular length change does not appear to be a major determinant of clinical outcomes. This finding has important implications for surgical planning and patient management in cases of clavicular nonunion.https://doi.org/10.1177/10225536251364166
spellingShingle Dong Hwi Kim
Hyung Seok Park
Yong Jin Cho
Jong Hyeon Nam
Chae Hun Lee
GwangChul Lee
Impact of clavicular length change on clinical outcomes after surgical treatment of nonunion: A retrospective study
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery
title Impact of clavicular length change on clinical outcomes after surgical treatment of nonunion: A retrospective study
title_full Impact of clavicular length change on clinical outcomes after surgical treatment of nonunion: A retrospective study
title_fullStr Impact of clavicular length change on clinical outcomes after surgical treatment of nonunion: A retrospective study
title_full_unstemmed Impact of clavicular length change on clinical outcomes after surgical treatment of nonunion: A retrospective study
title_short Impact of clavicular length change on clinical outcomes after surgical treatment of nonunion: A retrospective study
title_sort impact of clavicular length change on clinical outcomes after surgical treatment of nonunion a retrospective study
url https://doi.org/10.1177/10225536251364166
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