Primary Fixation of Acromioclavicular Joint Disruption

Clinical and anatomical outcomes of isolated coracoclavicular fixation after acromioclavicular joint injury: is it stable enough or is additional horizontal fixation necessary?

Background

Recently, an emphasis has been put on anatomical reduction of acromioclavicular (AC) joint both in vertical and hortizontal planes for management of AC joint injuries due to persisting horizontal instability. Therefore, an additional AC fixation in horizontal plane has been recommended. However, relation between horizontal AC joint instability and clinical outcomes is still controversial. This study aims to evaluate outcomes of isolated coraco-clavicular fixation using arthroscopic assisted single coraco-clavicular tunnel technique in grade III and V AC joint injuries and to investigate the correlation between anatomical and clinical outcomes.

Methods

This study was conducted with 19 patients with grade III or V AC joint injury. Clinical outcomes included postoperative pain intensity and functional outcomes (Constant Score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, and Subjective Shoulder Value). Radiological evaluations were performed using radiographs and postoperative computed tomography scans. Degree of initial injury and postoperative stability both on axial and coronal planes were evaluated after radiological assessment. Correlations between anatomical and clinical outcomes were investigated using Pearson's correlation test.

Results

At the final follow-up assessment, the mean pain score was 1.8 ± 1.8, mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score was 81.0 ± 15.4, mean Subjective Shoulder Value was 81.3 ± 19.6, and mean Constant Score was 86.3 ± 14.8. The mean loosening ratio and AC distance were 43.5 ± 30.6% and 4.3 ± 12.4 mm, respectively. No correlation was observed between postoperative anatomical and clinical outcomes (P > .05).

Conclusion

Additional AC fixation on horizontal plane is not a prerequisite for all injuries, there is no significant association between horizontal instability and clinical outcomes and indications of an additional AC fixation needs to be determined.

Horizontal instability after acromioclavicular joint reduction using the two-hole technique is preferred over the loop technique: a single-blind randomized clinical trial

Background

Most acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) injuries are caused by direct trauma to the shoulders, and various methods and techniques are used to treat them; however, none of the options can be considered the gold standard. This study examines the horizontal stability of the ACJ after a complete dislocation was repaired using one of two Ethibond suture techniques, the loop technique and the two holes in the clavicle technique.

Methods

In this single-blind, randomized clinical trial, 104 patients diagnosed with complete ACJ dislocation type V were treated using Ethibond sutures with either the loop technique or the two holes in the clavicle technique. Horizontal changes in the ACJ were radiographically assessed in the lateral axial view, and shoulder function was evaluated by the Constant (CS) and Taft (TS) scores at intervals of 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery.

Results

The horizontal stability of the ACJ was better with the two-hole technique than the loop technique at all measurement times. CS and TS changes showed a significant upward trend over time with both techniques. The mean CS and TS at the final visit were 95.2 and 11.6 with the loop technique and 94.0 and 11.9 with the two-hole technique, respectively. The incidence of superficial infections caused by the subcutaneous pins was the same in the two groups.

Conclusions

Due to the improved ACJ stability with the two-hole technique, it appears to be a more suitable option than the loop technique for AC joint reduction.

Restoring Horizontal Stability of the Acromioclavicular Joint: Open Acromioclavicular Ligament Reconstruction and Repair With Semitendinosus Allograft

Injuries to the acromioclavicular (AC) joint are common and comprise ∼12% of shoulder injuries. Stability to the AC joint depends on the coracoclavicular (CC) ligaments for vertical stability and AC ligaments and capsular structures for horizontal stability. Injuries to the AC ligaments can lead to horizontal instability of the AC joint. There is no gold standard technique for treating these injuries surgically, and many of the described procedures focus on vertical instability rather than horizontal instability. This article describes an open AC ligament reconstruction with semitendinosus allograft to restore horizontal stability of the AC joint.

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.

High grade acromioclavicular injury: Comparison of arthroscopic assisted acromioclavicular joint fixation and anatomic acromioclavicular joint reconstruction

Background

Injuries to the acromioclavicular (AC) joint disrupting the AC and Coracoclavicular (CC) ligaments could lead to loss of clavicular strut function. A High-grade AC joint injury remain challenging because of highly variety of treatment and limited evidence exists comparing clinical outcomes and complications after surgery.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and radiological outcome after arthroscopic assisted acromioclavicular Joint fixation and anatomic acromioclavicular joint reconstruction.

Study design

Retrospective Clinical Cohort Study.

Methods

Twenty-nine patients with a high grade (Rockwood Type III-V) Acromioclavicular Joint Injury, operatively treated with arthroscopic assisted acromioclavicular joint fixation and anatomic acromioclavicular joint reconstruction from 2012 to 2018. The clinical assessment consists of Specific AC Score (SACS) and Nottingham Score. The radiographic evaluations were performed to evaluate the stability of reduction and the complications are assessed.

Results

There were a significant different between groups with AC joint reconstruction and fixation group (20 vs. 8, p < 0.005) and (19 vs. 10, p < 0.005) in SAC score and Nottingham score, respectively. There were no significant different in CC dstance between two groups. At the last follow up 6 patient develop loss of reduction with CC percentage >50% in AC joint fixation. Complication developed in 5 patients (17%) including 2 mild osteolysis, 1 superficial infection, 1 implant failure, and 1 clavicle fracture.

Conclusion

Anatomic AC joint reconstruction was associated with functional and radiologic benefits and better restored the stability.

Horizontal Instability of the Acromioclavicular Joint: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Injuries to the acromioclavicular (AC) joint are common and should be suspected in patients who have shoulder pain in the region of the acromion and clavicle. Injuries to the AC ligament can cause horizontal instability and are often neglected or underdiagnosed, which can lead to poor patient outcomes.

PURPOSE

To perform a systematic review of the literature on the diagnosis and treatment of horizontal instability of the AC joint.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review.

METHODS

The authors performed a systematic review using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. PubMed and EMBASE were searched for studies that investigated diagnosis, treatment, and failure of operative management of acute and chronic AC separations. Studies that did not specifically evaluate AC joint injuries, were not written in English, or were specific only to vertical instability of the AC joint were excluded.

RESULTS

Overall, 23 articles met the inclusion criteria and were therefore included in this systematic review. Diagnosing horizontal AC instability is difficult using plain radiographs; dynamic views were shown in some cases to better detect horizontal instability than with static views. More than 60 procedures for treating AC joint injuries have been published, but many focus on vertical rather than horizontal instability. Modifications to current surgical procedures to incorporate reconstruction of the horizontal component showed improved patient outcomes. Such modifications included additional AC joint suture cord cerclage, combined AC and coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction, and the Twin Tail TightRope triple button technique. Failure after surgical stabilization of AC joint separation has been reported to occur in 15% to 80% of cases.

CONCLUSION

No consensus is available regarding the best practices for diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of acute or chronic horizontal instability of the AC joint. Moreover, horizontal instability injuries are often neglected or poorly understood, making diagnosis difficult, which may lead to high complication rates and failure after surgical stabilization.

[Arthroscopically assisted techniques for treatment of acute and chronic acromioclavicular joint injuries]

Acute and chronic acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation is frequently encountered in the routine clinical practice. This injury can lead to significant impairment of shoulder girdle function. Therapy based on the severity of injury is recommended to re-establish correct shoulder function. The static radiographic Rockwood classification is used to define the degree of dislocation but the clinical aspects and functional x-ray imaging of horizontal AC joint instability should also be considered for selection of the appropriate procedure. Rockwood grades I and II injuries are treated non-operatively with early functional exercise. The approach for Rockwood grade III injuries should be individual and patient-specific, with non-surgical procedures for low functional requirement patients with a high risk for surgical interventions. For patients with high demands on shoulder function surgery is recommended. A detailed diagnostic assessment frequently reveals Rockwood grade III injuries to be type IV injuries. Rockwood types IV and V AC joint dislocations require surgery for sustained stability. Treatment of acute injuries is recommended within 1-3 weeks after trauma but there is no clear evidence of a cut-off for the presence of chronic injuries. Various surgical techniques have been described in the literature. This article presents an arthroscopically assisted technique that addresses both vertical and horizontal instability of the AC joint.

Management of acute unstable acromioclavicular joint injuries

Surgical management of acute unstable acromioclavicular joint injuries should be focused on realigning the torn ends of the ligaments to allow for healing potential. The most widely utilized treatment methods incorporate the use of metal hardware, which can alter the biomechanics of the acromioclavicular joint. This leads to a second surgical procedure for hardware removal once the ligaments have healed. Patients with unstable acromioclavicular joint injuries managed with arthroscopy-assisted procedures have shown good and excellent clinical outcomes, without the need for a second operation. These procedures incorporate a coracoclavicular suspension device aimed to function as an internal brace, narrowing the coracoclavicular space thus allowing for healing of the torn coracoclavicular ligaments. The lesser morbidity of a minimally invasive approach and the possibility to diagnose and treat concomitant intraarticular injuries; no obligatory implant removal, and the possibility of having a straight visualization of the inferior aspect of the base of the coracoid (convenient when placing coracoclavicular fixation systems) are the main advantages of the arthroscopic approach over classic open procedures. This article consists on a narrative review of the literature in regard to the management of acute acromioclavicular joint instability.

Arthroscopically Assisted Treatment of Acute Dislocations of the Acromioclavicular Joint

Arthroscopically assisted treatments for dislocations of the acromioclavicular joint combine the advantages of exact and visually controlled coracoid tunnel placement with the possibility of simultaneous treatment of concomitant injuries. The clinical results of previous arthroscopically assisted techniques have been favorable at midterm and long-term follow-up. The presented surgical technique combines the advantages of arthroscopically positioned coracoclavicular stabilization with an additional suture cord cerclage of the acromioclavicular joint capsule for improved horizontal stability.