Author(s)

Senthil Loganathan, Shenbaghavalli Thanikaimalai, Jambu Nageshwaran, Samuel Chittaranjan

Department of Orthopaedics, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, India.

Background: Clavicular hook plates are effective fixation devices for lateral end clavicle fractures and acromioclavicular joint dislocations and have been extensively used in the last decade. Although this plate achieves a high percentage of union, there are concerns about sub-acromial osteolysis and impingement of supraspinatus tendon. Objective: To show that impingement of supraspinatus tendon can be prevented by measuring the depth between acromion and supraspinatus tendon posteriorly and using hook plates of appropriate depth. Materials and Methods: We performed a prospective study on 25 patients with lateral end clavicle fractures and acromio clavicular joint disruptions by measuring the depth between posterior border of acromion and the superior border of supraspinatus at the point of application of hook plate. Fixation is then done by appropriate sized hook plate. Results: None of the patients had impingement of supraspinatus tendon. Five patients developed subacromial osteolysis which did not have any impact on shoulder function. Conclusion: There is a variation in anatomy of the acromion in different ethnic groups. Hence uniform sized hook plate will be inappropriate. A smaller hook depth is needed in south Asian population to prevent impingement.

Hook Plate Clavicle, Hook Depth, Impingement

Loganathan, S. , Thanikaimalai, S. , Nageshwaran, J. and Chittaranjan, S. (2017) Clavicle Hook Depth and Impingement Syndrome—A Cause-Effect Relationship. Open Journal of Orthopedics, 7, 1-6. doi: 10.4236/ojo.2017.71001.