Management of acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation with a double-button fixation system

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Traumatology

Background:

• Acute acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation management lacks a standardized technique.
• Existing methods have associated complications.
• A novel mini-open technique using a double-button fixation system was investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate functional and radiographic outcomes of acute AC joint reconstruction.
• To assess the efficacy of a mini-open technique with double-button fixation.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 12 patients with acute AC joint dislocation.
• Treatment involved a mini-open technique with double-button fixation.
• Functional outcomes assessed using DASH, Constant, and VAS scores.
• Radiographic evaluation of coracoclavicular (CC) distance.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements in Constant (94.8) and DASH (0.25) scores post-operatively.
• Marked reduction in visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores.
• No significant difference in CC distance compared to the contralateral side.
• Absence of post-operative osteoarthrosis or osteolysis.

Conclusions:

• The mini-open double-button technique offers effective AC joint reconstruction.
• It provides excellent functional results and cosmetic outcomes with minimal soft tissue disruption.
• Recommended for AC joint dislocation types IV and selected type III injuries.