Background
Acromioclavicular joint dislocation presents a difficult challenge in controlling the stresses on the clavicle during the recovery period and hampers early mobilization of the shoulder joint. We have chosen a new modality for fixation types III and IV and compared its results with other methods of fixation.
Patients and methods
Between 2008 and 2011, 13 cases of acute acromioclavicular joint dislocations were treated at our facilities using the Arthrex tightrope for restoring attachment of the clavicle to the coracoid process. The study group included 10 male and three female patients, with an average age of 34.2 years. The average duration between the injury and surgical fixation was 6.3 days. All patients had an MRI scan performed before surgical intervention for assessment of the coracoclavicular ligaments. Patients were evaluated at the end of 6 months after surgical reconstruction using the Constant Shoulder Scoring System.
Results
At the end of the follow-up period, there were only three failure cases and 10 of our 13 patients (76.9%) were adequately satisfied with the outcome.
Conclusion
Tightrope fixation is a very safe modality for fixation of acromioclavicular dislocations that restores anatomy and allows for early mobilization of the shoulder joint.