Tension Band Wire Fixation for Comminuted Distal Clavicle Fracture

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study is to review clinical and radiologic results of K-wire fixation and tension band wiring to fix the fracture fragments in distal clavicle Neer type II or III fractures. Materials and Methods: From Jan. 1996 to Jan. 2002, eleven patients with distal clavicle Neer type II fracture and three patients with distal clavicle type III fracture were treated by open reduction and internal fixation with K-wires and tension band wiring. The clinical results were analyzed according to the functional criteria by Kona et al. Results: All fractures healed at 8.5 weeks in average. There were thirteen excellent and one good results. The most common complication was pin site protrusion, which did not affect the clinical results. Conclusion: K-wire fixation and tension band wire is an effective method of fixation for distal clavicle Neer type II or III fractures.ope