ABSTRACT
Objective To design and evaluate a new type of acromion & clavicle anatomic plate with combinatorial hinge more suitable for acromioclavicular joint dislocation and distal clavicular fracture.Methods The new type of acromion & clavicle anatomic plate with combinatorial hinge we had designed was used in 21 patients (21 shoulders) who were treated for acromioclavicular joint dislocation or distal clavicular fracture from October 2016 to April 2017 at Department Ⅰ of Orthopaedics,The 2nd People's Hospital of Lu'an.They were 15 men and 6 women,aged from 24 to 63 years(average,41.5 ±4.2 years).Of the 14 cases of acromioclavicular joint dislocation,7 were type Ⅲ,5 type Ⅳ and 2 type Ⅴ,according to the Rockwood classification;all the 7 distal clavicular fractures were Neer type Ⅱ.They were all treated by open reduction and internal fixation with our self-designed acromion & clavicle plate with combinatorial hinge.They were followed up at the outpatients department at 3 weeks,3,6,12 and 15 months postoperatively for evaluation of their shoulder functions by Constant-Murley score,changes in coracoclavicular clearance before and after operation and loss of coracoclavicular clearance after removal of internal fixation by X-ray.Results All the 21 patients were effectively followed up for 15 to 20 months (average,18 months).As for their Constant-Murley scores,preoperation (49.7±4.9) ＜3 weekspostoperation (57.6±5.9) ＜3 monthspostoperation (83.2±5.7) ＜6 months postoperation (90.4 ±4.0) ＜ 12 months postoperation (94.3 ±4.2) ＜ 15 months postoperation (98.1 ±4.2),with significant differences between different time points (P ＜ 0.05).The postoperative coracoclavicular clearances at different time points were all significantly decreased than the preoperative value (P ＜ 0.05).With the aid of our new type of acromion & clavicle anatomic plate,the shoulder functions of the patients were gradually improved,the postoperative acromioclavicular joint and reduction of the distal clavicular fracture were stable,and no re-dislocation occurred after removal of internal fixation.Conclusion Our new handy type of acromion & clavicle anatomic plate with combinatorial hinge can provide more effective internal fixation for acromioclavicular joint dislocation and clavicular distal fracture,facilitating functional recovery of the shoulder.