Arthroscopic Suspensory Construct for Acute Acromioclavicular Joint Separation

Failure of acromioclavicular reconstruction using Gore-Tex graft due to aseptic foreign-body reaction and clavicle osteolysis: A case report

Coracoclavicular (CC) ligament augmentation has been a method to treat acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation in recent years. The purpose of this paper is to describe our arthroscopic CC ligament augmentation technique in treating type III and V acute AC joint dislocations and to report the early clinical and radiological results. From 2010 to 2011, twelve patients suffering from acute type III or V AC joint dislocations were arthroscopically treated in our department, by CC ligament augmentation after AC joint reduction. The post-operative outcomes were assessed through physical examination, radiographic examination and the Constant-Murley Shoulder Score. All patients post-operatively experienced anatomical reduction in their AC joint dislocation. No intraoperative complications occurred. At a mean follow-up at 24 months (ranging from 18 to 32 months), the mean Constant-Murley Shoulder Score significantly improved from 24.3 pre-operatively to 91.1 post-operatively. No neurovascular complications or secondary degenerative changes of the AC joint were detected in any of the patients. In one case, a second dislocation occurred 1 month post-operation because the patient had had another traumatic injury. This patient accepted a revision operation, but his AC joint eventually fixated into a subluxated position after his second injury. Based on the resultant successful repair in all cases, the arthroscopic CC ligament augmentation method has thus far proven to be a safe and reliable technique for treatment of acute type III or V AC joint dislocation. The arthroscopic CC ligament augmentation with a flip button/polyethylene belt repair is an efficient method to treat acute type III and V AC joint dislocations which should be popularized. IV.

Anatomic coracoclavicular ligament double-buttons reconstruction for acute or chronic Rockwood typeIII-V acromioclavicular joint dislocations: an early follow-up study

In this article, we present an uptodate outline of acromioclavicular (AC) joint separation. A clear understanding of acromioclavicular joint injury in terms of the mechanism of injury, clinical picture, diagnostic imaging, and most updated surgical techniques used for the treatment can provide the best care for those patients. This article describes updated treatment strategies for AC separation, including type III AC separation which is known most controversial. Finally, we present a proposed treatment algorithm that can aid in the treatment of AC separation from the most updated evidence.

Background Traumatic acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocations are common injuries among the active population. The injury mechanism requires excessive force delivered by a fall or blow to the shoulder. Associated injuries may occur and remain undetected if they are masked by the painful and prominent AC joint injury. Hypothesis Intra-articular injuries associated with high-grade AC joint dislocations are common. Study Design Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods Between 2002 and 2007, 77 patients (68 male, 9 female; average age, 35.5 years; range, 17-62 years) were surgically treated for acute AC joint dislocations (Rockwood type III, 5; type IV, 30; and type V, 42). All patients underwent diagnostic glenohumeral joint arthroscopy. Concomitant intra-articular injuries were identified and treated. Results Intra-articular injuries were found in 14 of 77 patients (18.2%). Superior labral anterior posterior (SLAP) lesions were observed in 11 of 77 patients 14.3% (SLAP I, 3; II, 2; III, 3; and IV, 3). Nineteen percent of Rockwood V lesions had associated SLAP lesions (SLAP I excluded), whereas only 3.4% of Rockwood IV lesions showed SLAP lesions. A complete supraspinatus tear was detected in 1 case, and partial articular-sided supraspinatus tears were detected in 2 cases. Four patients sustained an accompanying fracture. Conclusion Concomitant injuries to the shoulder girdle obtained during traumatic AC joint separation may be more frequent than previously thought. Clinical diagnosis may be difficult in the setting of an acute and painful dislocated AC joint. Shoulder arthroscopy during arthroscopic AC joint stabilization may aid in detecting associated injuries.

Epidemiology of acromioclavicular joint injuries in professional baseball: analysis from the Major League Baseball Health and Injury Tracking System

The purpose of this study was to compare the results after arthroscopically assisted double TightRope(®)-(TR) reduction with results after clavicular hook plate (HP) fixation in acute high-grade acromioclavicular (AC) joint separations. Between 2004 and 2010, 69 consecutive patients with acute AC joint separations type Rockwood III and V were subjected to surgical reconstruction. 56 patients (81 %) were available for evaluation. Thereof, 30 (median age: 39 years; n = 12 acute Rockwood III and n = 18 Rockwood V injuries) were treated by a clavicular HP and 26 (median age: 39 years; n = 10 acute Rockwood III and n = 16 Rockwood V injuries) using the double TR technique. Group HP was evaluated at a median of 48 (7-77) months after surgery and the TR group 17 (7-29) months after stabilization. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for Pain, Simple Shoulder Test (SST), Constant Score (CS) and Taft Score (TS) were assessed. Sonographic measurements were performed to evaluate recurrent instability. Clinical examination demonstrated comparable results without significant differences. In the groups HP and TR, the VAS was median 0.8 (range, 0.0-7.5) and 0.4 (range, 0.0-5.7), the SST reached median 11 (range, 0-12 points) and 12 points (range, 8-12 points). The CS was median 92.4 % (range, 21.5-105.4 %) and 94.0 % (range, 54.6-105.3 %) and the TS median 10 (range, 3-12 points) and 10 points (range, 5-12 points). Sonographic measurements showed a mean coracoclavicular (CC) distance of 25.3 ± 4.5 (HP) and 25.5 ± 4.3 mm (TR) (n.s.). In both groups, CC distance of the operated side was significantly higher compared to the uninjured side. The complication rate was 13 % in group HP and 12 % in group TR. In acute high-grade AC joint instabilities, both techniques lead to mostly good and excellent clinical results, although comparable partial recurrent vertical instability could be observed. Diagnosis and therapy of concomitant glenohumeral injuries and no obligatory implant removal are advantages of the arthroscopic procedure.

Introduction:Acute acromioclavicular joint separation is a common injury to the shoulder. Various surgical reconstruction methods exist when operative management is required, but the optimal procedure is not known. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to review the literature to assess the clinical effectiveness of various surgical reconstruction modalities used for acute ACJ separation.Methods:The study protocol was designed and registered prospectively on PROSPERO (International prospective register for systematic reviews). Literature search will include MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and The Cochrane Library electronic databases. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating surgical procedures for acute acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) separation will be included. Our primary outcome is any functional patient-reported outcome measure related to the shoulder. Secondary outcomes may include radiological measurements, objective measurements of strength testing, range of motion, other patient-reported outcome measures not specific to the shoulder such as the Visual-Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, timelines for return to sport or work, and rate of complications. Risk of bias will be assessed within each study using The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2.0 and the Jadad score. Inconsistency and bias across included studies will be assessed statistically. Comparable outcome data will be pooled and analysed quantitatively or qualitatively as appropriate.Ethics and dissemination:This study did not require ethical clearance. We plan to publish this systematic review and meta-analysis in a peer-reviewed journal and present the results at various national and international conferences.HighlightsThere is currently variation in surgical synthetic ligament reconstruction techniques for acute acromioclavicular separation, with no clear consensus established.This systematic review evaluates the clinical effectiveness of various surgical reconstruction modalities used for acute ACJ separation.Our primary outcome is any functional patient-reported outcome measure related to the shoulder.

Objectives:Shoulder injuries account for a large portion of all recorded injures inprofessional baseball. Much is known about other shoulder pathologies in theoverhead athlete, but the incidence and impact of acromioclavicular (AC)joint injuries in this population is unknown. The purpose of this study wasto examine the incidence, rates, and characteristics of AC joint injuries inprofessional baseball, and determine the impact on time missed.Methods:The Major League Baseball Health and Injury Tracking System (HITS) was usedto compile records of all major and minor league player from 2011-2017 withdocumented AC joint injuries. These injuries were classified as acute(sprain or separation) or chronic (AC joint arthritis or distal clavicularosteolysis), and associated data included laterality, date of injury, playerposition, activity, mechanism of injury, length of return to play (RTP), andneed for surgical intervention.Results:A total of 312 AC joint injuries (183 MiLB, 129 MLB; range 39-60 per year)were recorded (acute n=201, 64.4%; chronic n=111, 35.6%). A total of 81% ofacute injuries resulted in time missed with an average RTP of 22.8 dayswhereas 59% of chronic injuries resulted in days missed with an average RTPof 32.2 days (p<0.001). Acute injuries occurred most commonly inoutfielders (42.7%), followed by infielders (27.3%). Chronic injuries wereseen in higher proportions among pitchers and catchers (45.5-56.4% chronicinjuries). Acute AC injuries occurred most often while playing defense(n=100; 49.8%) in the infield or outfield (n=138; 68.7%), with 63.2% theresult of a contact injury. Chronic AC joint injuries were most commonlywith throwing or pitching (n=48; 43.2%) and non-contact injuries (n=79;71.2%).Conclusion:Acute AC joint injuries are contact injuries occurring most commonly amonginfielders and outfielders that result in more than 3 weeks missed beforereturn to play whereas chronic AC joint injuries occur more commonly inpitchers and catchers from repetitive overhead activity. Knowledge of thesedata can better guide expectation management in this elite population tobetter elucidate the prevalence of two common injury patterns in theacromioclavicular joint.

Background:Despite the relatively high number of cases of acromioclavicular joint (AC) separation in the athletic population, optimal clinical outcomes are not achieved in every case. Limited data exist regarding the prevalence of intra-articular glenohumeral pathologies (IAPs) associated with acute AC separation of all injury grades.Purpose:To determine the prevalence of IAPs associated with AC separation, regardless of severity.Study Design:Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:A total of 62 patients (mean age, 37.6 years) with acute AC separation were included in this study; 41 were nonoverhead recreational athletes. All patients underwent magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) to evaluate for IAPs. Arthroscopic data from patients undergoing surgical treatment were correlated with MRA results.Results:Patients sustained acute AC separation of Rockwood grade 1 (16.1%), grade 2 (46.8%), grade 3 (25.8%), and grade 4 (11.3%). A concomitant IAP was present in 48 of 62 (77.4%) patients and included superior labral anterior-posterior tears (72.6%), anterior labral tears (24.2%), posterior labral tears (4.8%), supraspinatus tears (3.2%), and inferior glenohumeral ligament ruptures (1.6%). There were 18 (29.0%) patients who had a concomitant pathology in >1 intra-articular structure (combined IAPs). Additionally, 71.8% of patients with grade 1 and 2 AC separation had associated IAPs, and 23.1% had combined IAPs. Furthermore, in patients younger than 40 years, 64.0% of those with grade 1 to 3 AC separation demonstrated associated labral pathologies. There was no difference when comparing age or severity of AC separation and the prevalence of concomitant labral tears (P = .36 and .22, respectively).Conclusion:There was a high prevalence of IAPs among patients undergoing MRA after AC separation. While an IAP has been described in association with high-grade AC separation previously, the high prevalence of IAPs in low-grade separation in our study was unexpected and suggests that a thorough evaluation and clinical follow-up for patients with all grades of AC separation may be beneficial.

BackgroundThe clinical superiority of surgical treatment for acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation remains controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of the modified Phemister procedure with CC ligament augmentation using Mersilene tape to those of hook plate fixation for acute AC joint dislocation.MethodsIn this study, patients who received modified Phemister surgery with CC ligament augmentation using Mersilene tape (PM group) or hook plate fixation (HK group) for acute unstable AC joint dislocation with a minimum 5-year follow-up period were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical outcomes were evaluated according to blood loss during surgery, surgical duration, visual analogue scale (VAS), Constant-Murley score (CMS), University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder rating scale, and the occurrence of complications. Radiological outcomes were assessed from radiographs according to multiple parameters, including CC distance maintenance, acromion osteolysis, and the presence of distal clavicle osteolysis.ResultsA total of 35 patients completed follow-up for more than 5 years and were analyzed in this study (mean = 74.08 months). There were 18 patients in the PM group and 17 in the HK group. The PM group exhibited similar improvement in functional outcome to the HK group. Regarding radiological outcomes, the HK group had a superior performance in terms of CC distance maintenance, of statistical significance (CCDR: 94.29 ± 7.01% versus 111.00 ± 7.69%, p < 0.001) after a one-year follow-up period. However, there were 4 cases of acromion osteolysis and 2 cases of distal clavicle osteolysis in the HK group.ConclusionHook plate fixation was found to be superior to the modified Phemister technique with CC ligament augmentation using Mersilene tape in terms of CC distance maintenance, but there was no significant difference in the functional outcome after 5 years of follow-up. Both surgical methods are reliable options for the treatment of acute AC joint dislocation. Modified Phemister surgery with CC ligament augmentation using Mersilene tape is a relatively lower-cost option for acute AC joint dislocation without the need of a second surgery for implant removal.

Truly anatomic coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction with 2 EndoButton devices for acute Rockwood type V acromioclavicular joint dislocations: 5-year findings.

acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation is common in athletes and in contact sports and about 9% of shoulder injuries involves this joint. The majority of these AC lesions can be successfully treated conservatively but high grade dislocation and some cases of type III dislocation need a surgical treatment. Many different operative techniques have been described over the years. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the results of arthroscopic stabilization of AC joint dislocation with TightRope® system. nineteen patients with acute AC dislocation were treated by arthroscopic fixation with TightRope® system. Any associated lesions were repaired. All patients were assessed before surgery (T0), at 3 months (T1), at 6 months (T2) and at 1 year after the surgery (T3) using a visual analogic scale (VAS) and Constant-Murley Score (CMS). All patients were evaluated with X-ray. six AC-joint dislocations involved the right shoulder and thirteen the left shoulder. Ten were type III dislocation, three were type IV and six were type V dislocation. We found a statistically significant reduction of pain (p< 0.01) at T1 compared to the pretreatment scores. The CMS measures showed an improvement between T1, T2 and T3, but the difference was statistically significant only between T1 and T3 (p= 0.017). The postoperative X-Ray of the shoulder showed a good reduction of the AC joint dislocation. We had 1 case of recurrence and 2 cases of loss of intraoperative reduction. arthroscopic technique for acute AC joint dislocations with the use of the TightRope® device is minimally invasive and it allows an anatomic restoration of the joint. It is a safe and effective procedure ensuring stable AC joint reconstruction and good cosmetic results.

Objective To compare the efficacy between hook plate combined with coracoclavicular ligament functional reconstruction by conjoined tendon transfer and single hook plate surgery in the treatment of Rockwood type III and type V acute acromioclavicular joint dislocations. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 37 patients with Rockwood type III and V acute acromioclavicular dislocations admitted to Jiangning Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from October 2011 to April 2016. According to the random number method, the patients were divided into combined tendon and ligament reconstruction group (ligament reconstruction group, 19 patients) and clavicular hook plate group (single plate group, 18 patients). In the ligament reconstruction group, there were 14 males and five females, aged (47.0±11.4)years, and there were 10 patients with type III and nine with type V. In the simple plate group, there were 12 males and six females, aged (45.0±11.2)years, and there were 11 patients with type III and seven with type V. In the ligament reconstruction group, the acromioclavicular joint was reduced by clavicular hook plate, and the oblique ligament and the conical ligament were reconstructed by lateral half-inversion of the short head tendon of biceps brachii combined with tendon. The double-bundle functional reconstruction of coracoclavicular ligament was performed. In single plate group, hook plate was used to reduce acromioclavicular joint. The intraoperative blood loss, incision length, operation time, and visual analogue score (VAS) before operation and after 1 year follow-up were compared. Constant-Murley score and Karlsson score were used to evaluate the effect of operation. X-ray films were taken regularly to observe the reduction and maintenance of acromioclavicular joint dislocation. The complications were recorded. Results All patients were followed up for 17-24 months [(20.0±1.7)months]. There was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss between the two groups (P>0.05). In the ligament reconstruction group and single plate group, the incision length was (13.4±0.8)cm and (6.6±0.7)cm (P 0.05); the VAS at 1 year after operation was (2.1±0.9)points and (3.8±1.4)points (P<0.05). X-ray showed good reduction of acromioclavicular joint in ligament reconstruction group, with no loss of reduction occurred after removal of hook plate. In the simple plate group, loss of reduction, resorption of distal clavicle bone and bone fusion occurred after removal of hook plate. The Constant-Murley scores in the ligament reconstruction group and the single plate group were (89.5±2.9)points and (79.6±5.0)points respectively; the excellent and good rates of Karlsson score were 89.5% (17/19) and 61.1% (11/18) (bothP<0.05), respectively. In the ligament reconstruction group, one patient complained of pain and swelling at the tendon. In the single plate group, loss of reduction occurred in three patients after removal of internal fixator; obvious subacromial osteolysis was seen in seven patients at 1 year after operation; and impingement sign was positive in nine patients at 1 year after operation. Conclusion The overall surgical effect of hook plate combined with coracoclavicular ligament functional reconstruction by conjoined tendon transfer is superior to single hook plate surgery in the treatment of type Rockwood III and Rockwood V acute acromioclavicular joint dislocations, though with longer operation time and bigger incision. Key words: Acromioclavicular joint; Dislocations; Coracoclavicular ligament

The most appropriate procedure for surgical treatment of severe acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation was still not clear. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of coracoclavicular (CC) reconstruction with ligament augmentation and reconstruction system (LARS) artificial ligaments for the treatment of acute complete AC joint dislocation. Twenty-four patients (16 male and 8 female, ages ranged from 21 to 45) with acute complete AC joint dislocations were treated with CC reconstruction using LARS artificial ligaments. All these dislocations were unstable injuries. Clinical evaluation was used by the Constant scores and VAS. The radiographic evaluation consisted of Zanca radiographs for bilateral AC joint and axillary radiographs for the injured shoulder. All patients had follow-up times of 36months (range 6-60). The Constant scores rose from 62.3±6.9 preoperatively to 94.5±9.3 at final evaluation (P<0.05). Preoperative VAS scores were 5.1±1.7, and the VAS scores at the last review were 0.7±1.4 (P<0.05). Follow-up radiographs showed anatomical reduction in 20 patients and slight loss of reduction in 4 patients. Calcification of CC ligament in 4 patients, degenerative change around the AC joint in 2 patient and clavicular osteolysis around screws in one patient were found. LARS artificial ligament for reconstruction of CC can provide immediate stability and allow early shoulder mobilization with good functional results and few complications. This procedure was an effective and safe method to treat grade III and more AC joint dislocations. IV.