Treatment of Acute Acromioclavicular Joint Injuries Using AO Hook Locking Plate

Abstract

BACKGROUND: To evaluate clinical and radiological outcome using AO hook locking plate in acute acromioclavicular joint injuries.METHODS: This study was based on patients with Rockwood type 3 or 5 acromioclavicular joint injuries who received surgery with AO hook locking plate from June 2008 until June 2009. Among the 22 patients, 19 of them were male and 3 were female, the mean age was 44.4 +/- 15.57 years (20-72 years) and follow-up period was 15.5 +/- 3.90 months (12-23 months). Preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the final follow-up after the plate removal, both coracoclavicular distances were measured from the anteroposterior radiograph. Also, the Shoulder Rating Scale of the University of California at Los Angeles scores (UCLA scores), the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores (ASES scores), Constant scores, and the Korean Shoulder Society scores (KSS scores) were measured at the final follow-up to evaluate the function of the shoulder joint.RESULTS: At the time of injury, the mean coracoclavicular distance of the injured side was 17.69 +/- 4.23 mm (9.57-27.82 mm) and the unaffected side was 7.55 +/- 2.20 mm (3.24-13.05 mm). The mean coracoclavicular distance measured postoperatively and at the final follow-up was 6.87 +/- 2.34 mm (4.07-14.13 mm) and 8.47 +/- 2.96 mm (4.37-17.48 mm), respectively. The mean UCLA, ASES, Constant, and KSS scores measured in the final follow-up were 33.5 +/- 1.30 (31-35), 90.8 +/- 8.36 (72-100), 78.6 +/- 8.80 (62-100), and 94.4 +/- 5.08 (84-100) each.CONCLUSIONS: From this short-term research, the surgical treatment using AO hook locking plates in acute acromioclavicular joint injuries is clinically and radiographically satisfying and considered as a useful treatment method.