S. Xu, C. Zhang, Changhai Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China; X. W. Liu, Second Military Medical University,, China, Shanghai, China; Q. Fu, Changhai Hospital,Shanghai, Shanghai, China
Background: Disability caused by nonunited fracture of the clavicle is a rare condition that is expressed by local pain. This condition is usually treated by reduction of the fracture and stable fixation with augmentation by autogenous bone graft. This is a retrospective study to assess outcome of the treatment of clavicular nonunion with a novel shape memory Ni-Ti alloy swan-like bone connector (SMC) Methods: Between August, 2003 to December 2006, 5 consecutive patients with clavicular nonunion were treated using SMC in our hospital. The SMC device was cooled with ice before implantation and then warmed to 40 to 50 °C, after implantation, to produce balanced axial and compression forces that would stabilize the fracture. Results: In all patients, satisfactory osseous union was achieved. There was no complication from the hardware. The average Constant score was 86 points (average Constant score for the unaffected shoulder was 95). All patients were very satisfied with the treatment and outcome.
Conclusion: The SMC provides a new effective method for fracture fixation and treatment of bone nonunion for clavicle.
Key words: Clavicle; nonuion; shape memory; Ni-Ti alloy; Constant score
Summary: Disability caused by nonunited fracture of the clavicle is a rare condition that is expressed by local pain. This condition is usually treated by reduction of the fracture and stable fixation with augmentation by autogenous bone graft. This is a retrospective study to assess outcome of the treatment of clavicular nonunion with a novel shape memory Ni-Ti alloy swan-like bone connector (SMC)
