Functional outcome study of anatomical coraco-clavicular and acromio-clavicular ligament reconstruction for chronic unstable acromio-clavicular joint dislocations: A prospective mid-term follow up study

Abstract

The Acromioclavicular joint represents the link between the clavicle and scapula, which is responsible for synchronized dynamics of the shoulder girdle. Traumatic injuries to acromioclavicular joint (AC joint) are commonly sustained by contact-sports athletes in high impact collisions or falls. Rockwood classified these injuries into types I through VI. Type I to type III injuries are treated conservatively and type IV -VI injuries require surgical management. Injuries of grade III - V require reconstruction of AC and CC ligaments. We present a surgical technique involving harvesting of semintendinosus autograft from hamstrings and using it to anatomically reconstruct the conoid and trapezoid portions of the coraco-clavicular ligament and the superior acromio-clavicular ligament/capsule. This technique is beneficial because it provides both horizontal and vertical stability. The purpose of our study was to find out the functional outcome of the procedure performed in mid-term follow-up. In our study the result was good functional outcome at 5 year follow up and subsequent followups provided proper placement of clavicular and acromian tunnels at the time of surgery.