Abstract
Background: Clavicle fractures are common injuries in the polytrauma population and frequently limit early mobilisation. This study evaluates the effect of immediate crutch weight-bearing (WB) in polytrauma patients after surgical stabilisation of a displaced midshaft clavicle fracture. Methods: A retrospective review identified 26 polytrauma patients with operatively managed displaced midshaft clavicle fractures and a non–weight-bearing (NWB) lower extremity injury. Patients were allowed immediate WB after surgery or NWB. The primary outcome was total hospital length of stay. Statistical analysis was done using Mann–Whitney U test. Results: The WB group had decreased total hospital length of stay (10.4 vs. 17.0 days, p = 0.012) and improved physical therapy score (3.9 vs. 2.9, p = 0.054) and postoperative length of stay (6.8 vs. 12.7 days, p = 0.006) compared with the NWB group. Conclusions: Our data suggest that an immediate WB as tolerated protocol for polytrauma patients after surgical fixation of displaced clavicle fractures may decrease the overall length of stay.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 16-20 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Orthopaedics, Trauma and Rehabilitation |
Volume | 25 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2018 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2017 HK Orthopaedic Association and HK Orthopaedic College
Keywords
- clavicle fracture
- early WB
- length of stay
- polytrauma