Treatment of Acromioclavicular Joint Injuries Using Clavicle Hook Plates

PURPOSE: To analyze results of treating acromioclavicular injuries using clavicle hook plates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between February 2008 and April 2010, 18 patients with acromioclavicular joint injury treated by clavicle hook plates were reviewed. Using the Rockwood classification, 7 dislocations were classified as type III injuries and 11 as type V injuries. Implant removal was done at least 3 months from initial fixation. Simple X-rays were taken for comparing the state of reduction, and clinical outcomes were evaluated by the Korean Shoulder Scoring System and the American Shoulder Elbow Society score. The average follow-up period was 9 months. RESULTS: On weight bearing X-rays, the average coracoclavicular distance showed a 114% increase compared to the contralateral side at the time of injury. It decreased to 23% by the last follow-up. The mean Korean Shoulder Scoring System and the American Shoulder Elbow Society score were 80 and 74 at the last follow-up. CONCLUSION: The immediate stability these plates provide allows rapid rehabilitation. Clavicle hook plate fixation for acromioclavicular joint dislocation is considered an effective method for ensuring satisfactory results both radiologically and clinically.

The Modified Phemister Method with Using Cotton Tape in the Treatment of Acromioclavicular Dislocation / 대한정형외과학회잡지

There has been considerable controversies in the method of the treatment of dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint, especially in grade III injury. It is hard to give a direct firm repair having a short ruptured coracoclavicular ligament. Thats why there are lots of difficulties in the treatment. Therefore, in operative treatment, the authors make use of cotton tape on coracoid process and clavicle as a reconstructive technique, because we have thought a simple fixation of acromioclavicular joint adding to a firm fixation of clavicle and coracoid process is inevitable. From January 1991 to December 1995, twenty-nine cases of grade III acromio-clavicular dislocation were treated by the modified Phemister method with using the cotton tape. Twenty-four patients were followed for an average of fifteen months and the following results were obtained. 1. The clinical results were evaluated by Weitzman criteria after average fifteen months follow up. An excellent result was obtained in 19 cases (79.2%), a good result in 3 cases (12.5%) and a fair result in 2 cases (8.3%), consecutively. 2. Clinical result in patients over 60-year old were bad. 3. The comparison of the coracoclavicular interval ratio before surgery with that after surgery facilitated the evaluation of effectiveness of the coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction. 4. The operative technique is through temporary fixation using K-wires which endows horizontal stability, and it fixes clavicle and coracoid process using cotton tape which endows vertical stability.

Modified Weaver and Dunn Technique in the Treatment of Acromioclavicular Separation / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Thirty one cases of acromioclavicular injuries were treated in both Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital and Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital during the period from May 1974 to April 1981. Three cases were classified to type 2 injuries and twenty eight were type 3. Among 31 cases one of the type 2 injuries was treated with closed reduction followed by thoracobrachial cast and remaining thirty received surgical treatment. Twenty one cases were operated on by technique of Weaver and Dunn, 8 cases by modified Phemister method and one case by Stewart technique. Preperative and postoperative stress film were evaluated and cap the coracoclavicular distance were measured. In twelve complete dislocation the authors modified the original Weaver and Dunn procedure by taking a bone chip along with the acromial end of the coracoacromial ligament. This seemed to provide a strong bony fulcrum for the suture of the ligament to clavicle as well as promoting bone to bone union. The results of this modified procedure were excellent.