A comparative study of biodegradable and metallic fixation for the treatment of dislocation of acromioclavicular joint / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To compare the results of treatment with biodegradable ligaments and metallic fixation for total acromioclavicular joint dislocation. Methods Twenty eight patients with total acromioclavicular joint dislocation were treated with two different materials, 1) by Kirschner pin and steel wire or screw and steel wire tension band (MF group,16 cases), and 2) reconstructed by artificial coracoclavicular ligament and coracoacromial ligament (BF group,12 cases). There were 17 males and 11 females. All patients had acute dislocation. The time from injury to hospital admission varied from 0-8 days (average, 1.5 days). Results All patients were availble for an average duration of follow up of 39.5 months (range,8-70 months). The results were evaluated by radiographic representations and joint function according to Lazcano's standards. In BF group, 10 patients were assesed as good and 2 as fair. In MF group, 13 patients were assesed as good, 2 as fair and 1 as poor. There were no statistic differences between these two methods. Conclusion Biodegradable ligament fixation is believed to be a good simple method for the treatment of acromioclavicular joint dislocation without the necessity of a second operation for removal of implants.