Objective
The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcome of treatment of acute acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation by clavicular hook plate and coracoclavicular ligament reattachment to the clavicle.
Patients and methods
A prospective study including 20 patients with AC joint dislocation either type III or V was conducted from October 2012 to June 2014 in Ain Shams University Hospitals. Patients were treated by open reduction of the dislocated AC joint and internal fixation by clavicular hook plate together with reattachment of the coracoclavicular ligament by transosseous sutures to the clavicle. The plate was removed after 3 months of the operation. The patients were evaluated by plain radiography for AC joint stability and functionally by Constant–Murley score.
Results
The mean follow-up period of the 20 patients was 18.05 months. The mean age was 33.35 years. The operative time of our procedure was of a mean of 43.65 min. All the patients had the plate removed at the third month postoperatively (mean, 97.3 days). Follow-up radiograph after plate removal showed maintained reduction of AC joint in 18 patients. Slight loss of reduction of 1–2 mm was noticed in the other two patients. The mean Constant–Murley score in the last follow-up was 92.9.
Conclusion
Based on this study, the treatment of acute AC joint dislocation using the clavicular hook plate combined with coracoclavicular ligament reattachment to the clavicle yields good short-term clinical results with a good functional outcome and low complication rate compared with other operative procedures.