Although several surgical techniques for midclavicular fractures have been reported, Knowles pinning has rarely been compared with plating. The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical results of these two alternative techniques. There were 88 patients with midclavicular fractures surgically treated with either a Knowles pin or a plate. All patients were followed up for 12 months with a shoulder score evaluation. The Knowles pin group included 56 patients, with an average age of 40.1 years. The plate group included 32 patients, with an average age of 38.2 years. Both groups were similar in injury mechanism and fracture types (all p values>0.5). Plating has a significantly longer operation time, larger wound incision, higher pain level, more analgesic use, more complications and more symptomatic hardware (all p value<0.05). The shoulder score, union rate and healing time are not significantly different between the two groups (all p values>0.2). In conclusion, if the surgery of mid-third clavicular fractures is indicated, fixation with a Knowles pin has more advantages than plate fixation.

The study was a retrospective evaluation and comparison. Seventy-five elderly patients (>50 years) with AO type-B2 ankle fractures were treated by open reduction and internal fixation. All patients were followed up retrospectively for at least 12 months. The 75 patients were divided into two groups, based on the method of treatment. The Knowles pin (KP) group included 45 patients with an average age of 62.7 years. The tubular plate (TP) group included 30 patients with an average age of 60.0 years. The clinical results were compared between the two groups. Both of the groups were similar in respect to the injury mechanisms, fracture pattern, open fracture grade, compounding medical conditions, and ankle score (all P values <0.28). However, the KP group had significantly smaller wound incisions, shorter surgery time, shorter hospital stay, less meperidine use, less symptomatic hardware, and lower complication rates than the TP group (all P values <0.03). In conclusion, lateral fixation of AO type-B2 ankle fractures in the elderly by the Knowles pin is recommended due to its simplicity, efficacy and low complication rate.

The study is a prospective evaluation and comparison. Eighty-two patients with tibial shaft fractures were treated with intramedullary fixation by either an unlocked nail (ULN) or an interlocked nail (ILN). All patients were followed up for 12 months with a functional score evaluation. The patients were divided into two groups, based on the method of treatment. The ULN group included 42 patients with an average age of 43.1 years. The ILN group included 40 patients with an average age of 40.0 years. Both groups were similar in the injury mechanism, fracture location, open fracture type and associated medical conditions (all P > 0.05). The operative time was shorter and the wound size smaller in the ULN group when compared to the ILN group (P < 0.001). The union rate, healing time and malunion rate were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). Although the functional score showed no difference between the groups (P = 0.3), the ILN group had a greater ability to return to their work 6 months after surgery (P = 0.03). In conclusion, unlocked nailing for tibial shaft fractures is a simple and effective method especially in the treatment of middle-third fractures. Interlocked nailing gives stable fixation without cast immobilisation, which resulted in a greater ability for the patients to return to their previous work 6 months after surgery.