Treatment of Complete Acromioclavicular Separation by Coracoclavicular Wiring

Kang, Jae Do; Ha, Pil Seong; Lee, Jun Hee; Lee, Yang Hun

Abstract

Acromioclavicular joint injuries are frequently seen with the recent increase of traffic and industrial accidents. The treatment of complete separation of the acromioclavicular joint has been, and is still, a subject of controversy. In view of a recent trend, anatomical reduction of acromioclavicular joint, and rigid internal fixation method is preferable, especially in type 3 injury. We operated on 16 cases of complete acromioclavicular separation by the technique of coracoclavicular wiring from March 1983 to Feb. 1987. The following results were obtained. 1. The functional results were excellent; 12 cases(75%), good; 3 cases(19a%), and fair ; 1 cases(6%). 2. The complications include wire reakage ; 1 case(6%), bony erosion ; 3 cases(19%) and subluxation, 1 case(6%). 3. The advantages of coracoclavicular wiring. 1) Avoids violation of acromioclavicular joint but does not restrict rotation of the clavicle. 2) The operation is simple to perform. 3) Postoperative immobilization is minimal. 4) Removal of the wire is easy under local anesthesia. 5) This method corresponds to the coracoclavicular ligment biomechanically. Therefore, coracoclavicular wiring is thought to be a good operative method in the treatment of complete acromioclavicular separation.