A midshaft clavicle fracture is a fracture (break) in the middle third or shaft of the clavicle (collarbone). This is the most common location for a clavicle fracture. For significantly displaced midshaft clavicle fractures, open fractures, or fractures associated with other significant nerve, blood vessel, or bone injuries, surgery is recommended. Surgery can stabilize the fracture in proper position to allow healing, movement of the patient and protection for the other associated injuries.

Surgery consists of making a small open incision over the clavicle, repositioning the fracture fragments and holding them in place with plates, screws, wires, sutures or pins. After fracture healing, these fixation devices may be removed, if needed. During surgery, X-ray is used to ensure all fragments are appropriately aligned.

Operative plate fixation of displaced mid-shaft clavicle fractures has been shown to improve the functional outcomes and decrease the likelihood of non-union over non-surgical techniques. The purpose of the study was to biomechanically compare the pull-out strength of two locking bicortical screws versus three non-locking bicortical screws used in plate fixation of midshaft clavicle fractures. We hypothesized there would be no significant difference in pull-out strength between the experimental groups and the load to failure of the two fixation methods would both exceed the reported load to failure in other more physiologic cantilever bending midshaft clavicle fracture-plate biomechanical models.

There was no significant difference in stiffness, cyclic displacement, yield or ultimate load between the constructs. Three non-locking screws demonstrated an average ultimate load of 2496 +/-1102 N, while the two locking screws had an ultimate load of 2715 +/-1150 N. This remained true when examining the data with the removal of outliers, as well as when examining only the desired method of failure (screw pullout).

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