OBJECTIVETo discuss the clinical results of hook plate internal fixation for the treatment of distal traumatic injuries of clavicle,and to analysis the mechanism of the complications.

METHODSFrom 2001.9 to 2008.2, 36 patients with fresh distal clavicle fractures of Neer type II and 14 patients with dislocation of Acromioclavicular joint of Tossy type III were treated with hook plate internal fixations. Among the patients, 36 patients were male and 14 patients were female, ranging in age from 19 to 77 years, with an average of 43 years. After the operation, the range of motion of shoulder joint was measured and the complications were studied. The Karlsson and Constant-Murley criteria were used to evaluate the therapeutic effects.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up with a mean duration of 12 months (7 to 18 months). All the patients could move shoulder joint actively 1 week after operation, and recover to the normal ROM at the 6th week after operation. According to Karlsson criteria, 44 patients got an excellent result, 6 good. According to Constant-Murley criteria, the average score of wound shoulder was (73.8 +/- 8.3) before operation, and (59.6 +/- 6.7) after operation, and the postoperative score was higher than preoperative score. No incision infections were found and 5 patients with complications were cured. No re-dislocation of acromioclavicular joint occurred.

CONCLUSIONIt is advocated that hook plate for the treatment of distal clavicular fractures of Neer type II and acromioclavicular dislocation of Tossy type III could provide sufficient stability to allow early functional rehabilitation, and to decrease the rate of complications.