Clin Should Elbow.  2010 Dec;13(2):194-201.

The Necessity of Coracoclavicular Ligament Repair in Open Reduction for the Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocations

• Kim E
• Shin HK
• Jeong HJ
• Choi JY
• Park SJ
• Choi K
• Lim JJ

Abstract

PURPOSE
We evaluated clinical and radiological results for open reduction and internal fixation of acromioclavicular dislocation without coracoclavicular ligament repair after removal of implants.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Clinical and radiological results were obtained for 53 patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation of an acromioclavicular joint dislocation between 1998 and 2007. A total of 21 patients were treated with a modified-Phemister method and 32 patients were treated with a Hook plate method. All subjects were surveyed after removal of their implants. The Constant scoring system was administered postoperatively to evaluate clinical results. Radiologic outcomes were evaluated by both coracoclavicular intervals on plain films.
RESULTS
Constant scores were 87.59+/-7.8 in the Phemister group and 89.35+/-5.3 in the Hook plate group. For both groups, the mean coracoclavicular interval at preoperative radiography was 15.9 mm at the injured site and 8.0 mm at the opposite site. After metal removal, the mean difference between coracoclavicular distances between normal and injured sites were 1.0 mm for the Hook plate group and 1.2 mm for the modified Phemister method group (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION
Open reduction and internal fixation of an acromioclavicular joint without coracoclavicular ligament repair shows good long-term clinical and radiological results.

MeSH Terms

Acromioclavicular Joint
Dislocations
Humans
Ligaments