• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.219-228
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• 2024

Background: Standard open acromioclavicular (AC) stabilization is associated with increased postoperative complications including deltoid injury, infection, tunnel complications, loss of reduction, and wound/cosmetic concerns. Arthroscopy may offer superior visualization and advantages that limit these risks. The aim of this prospective non-randomized study is to evaluate advantages and long-term reliability of arthroscopic AC stabilization. Methods: Thirty-two patients with acute grade III, IV and V AC dislocations underwent arthroscopic AC reconstruction with long-term assessment by clinical AC examination, Simple Shoulder Test, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores, visual analog scale, Specific AC Score and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand scores. Radiographs verified conservation of initial reduction and presence of coracoclavicular (CC) ossifications. Complications, revision rate, and satisfaction were assessed and compared to the literature. Results: Mean follow-up time was 67.6 months. All clinical outcome scores improved and differences were statistically significant (P<0.001). Initial postoperative radiographs consistently showed complete reduction. Two patients experienced relapse to grade II AC dislocation without clinical implications. In total, 71.8% showed CC ossifications without functional impairment, and in 31.3% concomitant injuries were observed. Reintervention rate was 9.4%, and 96.9% of patients were satisfied with procedure outcomes. Conclusions: Arthroscopic stabilization for acute AC joint dislocations offers satisfactory clinical and radiographic outcomes, and our results show that the arthroscopic technique is reliable in the long run. We report better reduction in maintenance, fewer complications, and similar reoperation rates compared to other techniques.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.159-165
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• 2014

Background: Kirschner's wire (K-wire) transfixation and locking hook plate fixation techniques are widely used in the treatment of acute acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) dislocation. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and radiologic outcomes between K-wires transfixation and a locking hook plate fixation technique. Methods: Seventy-seven patients with acute ACJ dislocation managed with K-wire (56 shoulders) and locking hook plate (21 shoulders) were enrolled for this study. The mean follow-up period was 61 months. Results: At the last follow-up, the shoulder rating scale of the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) was higher in patients treated with locking hook plate than with K-wires ($33.2{\pm}2.7$ vs. $31.3{\pm}3.4$, p=0.009). In radiologic assessments, coracoclavicular distance (CCD) (7.9 mm vs. 7.7 mm, p=0.269) and acromioclavicular distance (ACD) (3.0 mm vs. 1.9 mm, p=0.082) were not statistically different from contralateral unaffected shoulder in locking hook plate fixation group, but acromioclavicular interval (ACI) was significant difference. However, there were significant differences in ACI, CCD, and ACD in K-wire fixation group (p<0.001). Eleven complications (20%) occurred in K-wire transfixation group and 2 subacromial erosions on computed tomography scan occurred in locking hook plate fixation group. Conclusions: ACJ stabilization was achieved in acute ACJ dislocations treated with K-wires or locking hook plates. Locking hook plate can provide higher UCLA shoulder score than K-wire and maintain CCD, and ACD without ligament reconstruction. K-wire transfixation technique resulted in a higher complication rate than locking hook plate.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.153-161
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• 2017

Background: This study was conducted to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of the locking hook plate fixation (HP) technique and the single tight rope (TR) technique applied for acute high-grade acromioclavicular (AC) joint separations. Methods: Between 2009 and 2014, 135 consecutive patients with acute AC joint separation Rockwood types III, IV, and V were subjected to surgical reconstruction. One hundred fourteen patients (84.4%) were available for retrospective evaluation. Of them, 62 and 52 were treated using the single TR group and clavicular HP group techniques, respectively. The visual analogue scale, Constant, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and Taft scores were used for clinical assessment. Postoperative shoulder range of motion was also assessed. An anteroposterior radiograph of the coracoclavicular distance (CCD) was obtained to evaluate the radiographic signs of recurrence. Results: The TR group patients had better Constant, ASES, and Taft scores than the HP group patients. The loss of reduction in terms of the CCD did not differ between groups. Subacromial osteolysis was observed in 34.6% of the cases in the HP group. However, there were no significant differences in the clinical outcomes between the patients with and without osteolysis in the HP group. Subcoracoid osteolysis, drill tunnel widening, and metal displacement were observed in 3.2%, 22.6%, and 4.8% of the cases in the TR group, respectively. Conclusions: The single TR technique was relatively more effective at treating acute high-grade AC joint injuries than the HP fixation technique (level of evidence: therapeutic; retrospective comparative study, Level III).

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.26-34
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• 1998

The management of acute acromioclavicular dislocations has usually followed the accepted principles of obtaining an anatomical reduction of the joint and maintaining it until soft tissue healing has occurred. So, the preferred treatment for acute acromioclavicular dislocation is controversial. We analysed operatively treated twenty-eight cases for acute acromioclavicular dislocation between February 1994 and January 1997 and reviewed postoperatively to evaluate the results of three different methods. We collected retrospectively the data via clinical history, associated injury, type of injury, radiographic review, Taft score, and final results. Follow up time averaged 14 months. (range, 12 to 21 ) In according to Rockwood's classification, ]7 cases were type Ⅲ, 1 case was type IV, and 10 cases were type V. Ten cases were treated with the modified Phemister method, ten cases with the modified Bosworth method and eight cases with the modified Weaver-Dunn method. ]n patients treated by modified Phemister method, the Taft score was 9.4 points and 8 cases achieved good or excellent results. In patients treated by modified Bosworth method, the Taft score was 9.8 points and 8 cases achieved good or excellent results. In patients treated by modified Weaver-Dunn method, the Taft score was 10.3 points and 7 cases achieved good or excellent results. The overall Taft score was 9.9 points and 23 cases achieved good or excellent results. There were four complications, such as calcification or metallic loosening or breakage of K-wire, but did not influence late results. In conclusions, there was no significant difference of results regarding the different three methods. However, our results indicated that the coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction by transfer of coracoacromial ligament produced better results.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.123-128
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• 2006

Purpose: Surgical reconstruction is usually indicated for type II distal clavicle fracture due to high rate of nonunion and delayed union. We report the clinical outcome of a surgical technique for type II distal clavicle fracture using Mersilen tape and K-wire. Materials and Methods: From 1999 through 2003, this technique has been used on 11 patients with type II distal clavicle fracture. The procedure consist of fracture reduction with a Mersilene tape, repair of torn coracoclavicular ligament, and K-wire fixation of the fracture fragment. All patients with at least 12 months of complete postoperative follow-up were included for functional and radiographic evaluation. We used simple X-ray and UCLA scoring system and constant scoring system for evaluation at last follow up in OPD. Results: Solid union of the fracture could be achieved at 11 weeks after operation in all patients. All patients could return to the same level of preinjury activity. Good and excellent results were obtained in all patients according to UCLA system. Conclusion: This technique was simple procedure and allowed for stable fixation with early mobilization and early return to work and sports.