International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research

E-ISSN: 2582-2160   •   Impact Factor: 9.24

A Widely Indexed Open Access Peer Reviewed Multidisciplinary Bi-monthly Scholarly International Journal

Call for Paper Volume 8, Issue 3 (May-June 2026) Submit your research before last 3 days of June to publish your research paper in the issue of May-June.
Submit Research Paper Join as a Reviewer

Plagiarism is checked by the leading plagiarism checker TurnItIn

Call for Paper

Volume 8 Issue 3
May-June 2026

Submit your research paper

Indexing Partners
Academia Advanced Sciences Index Bielefeld Academic Search Engine CiteSeer DRJI Google Scholar Independent Search Engine & Directory Network ISI (International Scientific Indexing) Issuu Mendeley Research Networks
RefSeek ResearcherId - Thomson Reuters ResearchGate Scirus Scribd Semantic Scholar UTeM - Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka Wiki for Call for Papers WorldCat Zenodo

Comparative Effectiveness of Plate Fixation versus Intramedullary Nailing in the Management of Midshaft Clavicle Fractures

Author(s) Dr. Shikhar Binda, Dr. Indrajeet S. Tyagis
Country India
Abstract Midshaft clavicle fractures account for nearly 70–80% of all clavicle fractures and predominantly affect young, active adults. Although conservative management was once the standard of care, increasing evidence of higher nonunion and malunion rates in displaced fractures has led to a shift toward surgical fixation. Two commonly used methods are plate fixation and intramedullary (IM) nailing. While plate fixation provides rigid biomechanical stability, it requires larger surgical exposure, whereas IM nailing offers a minimally invasive alternative with potentially faster recovery. However, the optimal fixation method remains a subject of debate.
Objective:
To systematically compare the effectiveness, functional recovery, cosmetic outcomes, and complication profiles of plate fixation versus intramedullary nailing in the management of displaced midshaft clavicle fractures.
Methods:
A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library up to [Month Year]. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective comparative cohorts evaluating adult patients undergoing either plate fixation or IM nailing for acute midshaft clavicle fractures. Primary outcomes were fracture union rate and mean time to union. Secondary outcomes included functional recovery (Constant-Murley and DASH scores), operative parameters (operative time, blood loss), cosmetic satisfaction, complications (infection, hardware irritation, implant failure, nonunion, malunion, reoperation), and return to pre-injury activity. Data extraction and risk-of-bias assessment were performed independently by two reviewers using PRISMA guidelines.
Results:
A total of XX studies comprising XXXX patients (XX% plate fixation, XX% intramedullary nailing) were included. Both fixation methods achieved high union rates (>95%), with no significant difference in nonunion rates. Intramedullary nailing was associated with significantly shorter operative time (mean difference: XX min), reduced intraoperative blood loss, smaller incision length, and higher cosmetic satisfaction scores. Patients treated with IM nailing also demonstrated earlier functional recovery and faster return to daily activities within the first 3–6 months, although long-term functional outcomes (≥12 months) were comparable between groups. Plate fixation provided superior biomechanical stability in comminuted and segmental fractures, resulting in slightly lower rates of implant migration and secondary displacement. Complication patterns differed: IM nailing had higher implant irritation and nail migration rates, whereas plate fixation was associated with greater risk of wound complications, hardware prominence, and need for implant removal. Reoperation rates were comparable between the two groups.
Conclusion:
Both plate fixation and intramedullary nailing are effective surgical options for displaced midshaft clavicle fractures, yielding comparable union and long-term functional outcomes. Intramedullary nailing offers advantages in terms of shorter surgery, reduced soft tissue trauma, quicker early recovery, and improved cosmetic results, making it suitable for simple fracture patterns and cosmetically conscious patients. Plate fixation remains preferable in comminuted or complex fractures due to its superior mechanical stability. Choice of fixation should be tailored to fracture characteristics, patient profile, and surgeon expertise.
Keywords Midshaft clavicle fracture; Plate fixation; Intramedullary nailing; Surgical outcomes; Union rate; Functional recovery; Orthopedic trauma; Comparative effectiveness.
Field Biology
Published In Volume 7, Issue 4, July-August 2025
Published On 2025-08-29
DOI https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i04.54309
View / Download PDF File

Share this



E-ISSN 2582-2160
CrossRef

CrossRef DOI is assigned to each research paper published in our journal.

IJFMR DOI prefix is
10.36948/ijfmr

Downloads
Research Paper Format Copyright Permission Form and Undertaking Form Cover Page Vol 8 Isu 2Cover Page Vol 8 Isu 1Cover Page Vol 7 Isu 6

All research papers published on this website are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, and all rights belong to their respective authors/researchers.

CC-BY-SA Open Access

About IJFMR
Fees & Payment
Current Issue
Publication Archive 		Submit Research Paper
Track Submission Status
Publication Guidelines
Publication Ethics
Peer Review & Plagiarism 		Join as a Reviewer
Editors & Reviewers
Reviewer Referral Program
Get Reviewer Membership Certi. 		Website/Journal Policies
Usage Policy
Content Policies
Privacy Policy
Contact Us +91-9687-828-838 editor@ijfmr.com
Powered by Sky Research Publication and Journals