Conservative Treatment Compared to Osteosynthesis in Patients With a Fractured Collar Bone

Conservative Treatment Versus Plate Osteosynthesis Using Angular Stabile Screws and Precontoured Plates in Displaced Midshaft Clavicular Fractures. A Prospective Randomized Multicenter Study

This study will compare non-operative treatment of displaced midshaft collarbone fractures with operative treatment using a precontoured titanium plate and screws.

The study hypothesis is that operation will provide better pain relief, faster return to activities, better function of the involved upper limb, and lower the risk of a non healing fracture (non union).

Inclusion Criteria:

• fracture located to the mid third of the collar bone where there is no contact between the fractured surface of the main fragments on x-ray in one or two of two levels.

Exclusion Criteria:

• bilateral fracture
• imminent skin perforation
• open fracture
• associated neurovascular effect
• unstable fracture of neck of scapula "floating shoulder"
• fracture of coincidental upper extremity distal for the shoulder
• pathologic fracture
• the patient states that there was a unilateral or bilateral shoulder problem before the fracture
• fracture realized more than 14 days after it arose
• circumstances which make it impossible to carry out one of the two regimes, i.e. mental illness and abuse
• circumstances which make follow-up impossible, i.e. address far from the including departments and stays abroad of long duration
• medical contraindication against surgery or general anaesthesia
• former participation in the trial
• former fracture contra/ipsilateral at the age of 15 or older