Clinical outcomes of arthroscopic assissted fixation of acute high grade acromioclavicular joint disruption

Assessment of Coracoclavicular Ligament Healing on MRI After Arthroscopic TightRope Fixation for Acute Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocation

Background

Arthroscopic-assisted fixation of acute high-grade acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation has gained popularity in the last decade. Coracoclavicular (CC) fixation using the TightRope device is a less invasive technique.

Purpose

To investigate CC ligament healing and functional outcomes after arthroscopic fixation using the TightRope device for acute AC joint disruption.

Study Design

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

The study retrospectively analyzed the data of patients admitted for arthroscopic surgical treatment of acute AC joint injury using a single TightRope device. The data collection commenced in October 2021. The Constant-Murley (CM) score and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder score were used for functional evaluation. The CC distance (CCD) was measured on plain radiographs, whereas healing of the CC ligament was evaluated on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Statistical analyses were conducted with the Mann-Whitney U test, independent t test, or paired t test, as appropriate.

Results

The analysis included 33 patients with a mean age of 37.7 years (range, 24-49 years) and a minimum follow-up of 24 months. Significant preoperative to postoperative increases were noted in both the CM and UCLA scores (from 34.1 ± 7.6 to 93.3 ± 3.6 and from 8.7 ± 2.1 to 32.9 ± 1.7, respectively; P < .0001 for both). The CCD decreased from 21.8 ± 3.02 mm preoperatively to 10.6 ± 1.2 mm postoperatively (P < .0001). All patients displayed CC ligament healing on MRI. Two patients with superficial infection and 1 case of partial reduction loss were confirmed at the end of this study.

Conclusion

The arthroscopic TightRope technique was found to be a reliable and less invasive method of fixation for acute AC joint disruptions. The CC ligament healed adequately based on MRI evaluation, and the patients regained their preinjury activities, with favorable functional outcomes and minor comorbidities.

Differences between Coracoclavicular, Acromioclavicular, or Combined Reconstruction Techniques on the Kinematics of the Shoulder Girdle

BACKGROUND

Although the coracoclavicular (CC) ligaments are classically reconstructed after acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries, biomechanical studies over the past decade have indicated the importance of an additional reconstruction of the AC ligaments. To date, no kinematic study has investigated the kinematic differences between these reconstruction strategies.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the restoration of shoulder motion after an AC injury using a CC ligament, an AC ligament, or a combined reconstruction technique.

STUDY DESIGN

Controlled laboratory study.

METHODS

After creating a Rockwood grade V lesion in 14 cadaveric shoulders, the AC joint injury was treated with either a CC ligament reconstruction using a suspension device, an in situ AC ligament reconstruction using 2 coupled soft tissue anchors, or a combination of these 2 techniques. Joint motions were registered during humerothoracic elevation in the coronal plane and protraction in the intact shoulder in a Rockwood V lesion and after the 3 reconstruction strategies. An optical navigation system measured 3-dimensional rotation in the sternoclavicular and scapulothoracic joints, and both rotation and translation were analyzed in the AC joint.

RESULTS

In the sternoclavicular joint, the CC and combined reconstruction techniques adequately restored clavicular axial rotation, while the AC reconstruction technique showed a better correction of clavicular elevation. Scapulothoracic joint rotations were best restored by reconstructing the AC ligaments. In the AC joint, the relative tilting position and the lateral rotation of the scapula compared with the clavicle were best restored by the suspension device and combined reconstruction. The AC ligament reconstruction technique demonstrated a better restoration of the relative protracted position and resulted in a better correction of the translation of the scapula relative to the clavicle.

CONCLUSION

This study illustrates that there are kinematic differences between AC, CC, or combined ligament reconstruction strategies. Although each technique was able to restore different elements of the joint kinematics, none of the strategies completely restored the shoulder girdle to its preinjured state.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Humerothoracic movements after Rockwood V lesions are best restored using the CC reconstruction technique, and scapulothoracic movements are best restored using the AC ligament reconstruction technique.

Arthroscopically assisted single tunnel reconstruction for acute high-grade acromioclavicular joint dislocation with an additional acromioclavicular joint cerclage

PURPOSE

Purpose of this study was to demonstrate that a single tunnel reconstruction of high-grade acromioclavicular (AC) joint instabilities with implants of the second generation is sufficient for stabilisation, especially in combination with an AC cerclage.

METHODS

Patients with an acute AC-joint dislocation type Rockwood III-B and V were included. Besides clinical follow-up examination, radiographs were analysed. The functional outcome measures were Constant Score (CS), Taft score (TS), ACJI score and patient's satisfaction. Horizontal instability was evaluated by clinical examination and radiological with an Alexander view.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients with a mean follow-up of 29 months were included. Ninety-seven per cent were satisfied with their result, with an average Subjective Shoulder Value of 90%. The CS averaged at 90 ± 10 points, TS at 11 ± 1 points and ACJI at 78 ± 18 points. Radiologically, 3 of 29 patients (10%) showed a persisting horizontal instability. The coracoclavicular (CC) distance improved from 22 preoperative to 10 mm postoperative, which was comparable to the contralateral side (10 mm, p = 0.103). At follow-up the CC distance increased to 13 mm (p = 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

AC-joint stabilisation with a single tunnel reconstruction using a second-generation implant results in good to excellent clinical results with high patient satisfaction. The additional AC augmentation improves stability in horizontal instable AC-joints and is recommended in all high-grade AC joint stabilisations. Nonetheless, reduction was slightly lost over time due to an elongation or suture failure of the coraco-clavicular fixation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Biologic and synthetic ligament reconstructions achieve better functional scores compared to osteosynthesis in the treatment of acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation

PURPOSE

To systematically review the outcomes of surgical treatments of acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation.

METHODS

Studies were identified by electronic databases (Ovid, PubMed). All studies reporting functional and radiological outcomes of surgical treatments of acute acromioclavicular joint dislocations were included. Following data were extracted: authors and year, study design, level of evidence, number of patients, age, classification of acromioclavicular joint dislocation, time to surgery, surgical technique, follow-up, clinical and imaging outcomes, complications, and failures. Descriptive statistics was used, when a data pooling was not possible. Comparable outcomes were pooled to generate summary outcomes reported as frequency-weighted values. Quality appraisal was assessed through the MINORS checklist.

RESULTS

One hundred and thirty-three studies were included for a total of 4473 shoulders. Mean age of participants was 36.9 years. Mean follow-up was 42.06 months. Arthroscopy showed better ASES (p < 0.0001) and lower VAS pain score (p = 0.0249) compared to an open approach. Biologic and synthetic reconstructions demonstrated better results over osteosynthesis techniques. Biologic techniques showed overall better Constant (p = 0.0001) and DASH (p = 0.0215) scores, while synthetic reconstruction showed better UCLA score (p = 0.0001). Among suture buttons, triple button showed overall better results in Constant (p = 0.0001) and VAS (p = 0.0001) scores, while better results in DASH score (p = 0.0003) were achieved by 2 double button techniques. Overall, the level of evidence was low.

CONCLUSION

Biological and synthetic reconstructions achieved better functional scores compared to osteosynthesis. Among suture buttons, the triple button showed better functional performance.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Treatment of acute high-grade acromioclavicular joint dislocation

Acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocations account for about 9% of shoulder injuries. Among them, acute high-grade injury following high-energy trauma accounts for a large proportion of patients requiring surgical treatment. However, there is no gold standard procedure for operative treatment of acute high-grade AC joint injury, and several different procedures have been used for this purpose in clinical practice. This review article summarizes the most recent and relevant surgical options for acute high-grade AC joint dislocation patients and the outcomes of each treatment type.