An investigative study that measured the outcomes in patients with clavicular (collar bone) fracture who were treated with a Rockwood pin revealed positive results. The use of a Rockwood pin, a bone fixation implant, to treat young patients with clavicle fractures is a viable alternative to plate fixation.
The study identified 39 patients aged 10 to 35 who underwent a Rockwood clavicle pin fixation in a particular medical facility. The study’s methodology included reviewing the patients’ preoperative and postoperative radiographs and assessing the characteristics of each patient’s fracture, radiographic union, and postoperative alignment.
According to the study, the surgery performed in 92 percent of the patients resulted in near-anatomic reduction, meaning the bones returned to their natural pre-fracture position. All the patients reported 100 percent satisfaction in terms of postoperative shoulder appearance. The study also revealed that a single patient required revision for nonunion (3 percent nonunion rate).
The study concluded that the Rockwood clavicle pin delivered positive outcomes as promised. Compared with plate fixation, the use of the Rockwood pin requires a smaller incision over the fracture, resulting in less incision scarring. Also, the Rockwood pin promised better periosteal blood supply preservation since, being an intramedullary implant, using the Rockwood pin requires less tissue stripping.