Purpose
The aim was to prospectively gauge the clinical and functional patient outcomes of modified coracoclavicular ligament repair and stabilization using suture anchors and disc reduction in management of acute acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) dislocation at a minimum 2 years of follow-up.
Study design
This was a case series, and the level of evidence was IV.
Patients and methods
This study was carried out on 30 consecutive patients who had acute ACJ dislocation Rockwood types III–V in the period between June 2009 and March 2014. Average follow-up was 34.7 (25–75) months. This study was conducted in two tertiary centers: Suez Canal University Hospitals and El-Galaa Military Hospital. All patients were operated within 1 month of injury using an anchor with loaded sutures that was inserted into the dorsal part of coracoid base. The ends of the sutures were then passed through clavicular holes placed at coracoclavicular ligament attachment, and each suture strand was separately tied.
Outcome measures
Patients were evaluated postoperatively for persistence of good reduction, complications, range of motion, and return to preinjury activity level. Visual analog scale was used to assess postoperative pain. The functional outcomes of the shoulder were evaluated by Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand and Constant shoulder scores.
Results
A total of 28 patients (93.33%) returned to work and resumed sports activities. The mean Constant score was 88.2 points. The mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score was 12.2 points.
Conclusion
Treatment of acute ACJ dislocation with coracoacromial ligament repair and stabilization using suture anchors and disc reduction is technically simple and showed encouraging midterm clinical results with a low complication rate.