Radiographic displacement of acute acromioclavicular joint dislocations fixed with AC TightRope

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Arthroscopy

Background:

• Acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocations are common shoulder injuries.
• Previous arthroscopic fixation methods, including AC TightRope, report variable radiographic failure rates (18-50%).
• Functional outcomes are often graded as good or excellent despite radiographic findings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of arthroscopic fixation for acute AC joint dislocations using the TightRope device.
• To assess the effectiveness of the TightRope device in maintaining coracoclavicular (CC) distance.
• To identify factors influencing the success of arthroscopic AC joint fixation.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 52 patients (mean age 31) undergoing arthroscopic TightRope fixation for acute AC joint dislocation.
• Clinical outcomes assessed using Constant and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) scores.
• Radiographic comparison of coracoclavicular (CC) distance pre- and post-operatively.

Main Results:

• Mean follow-up was 36.7 months.
• Excellent mean clinical scores: Constant 97.13, UCLA 33.2.
• Coracoclavicular (CC) distance maintained in 73% of patients; partial loss in 19.2%, failure in 7.7%.

Conclusions:

• Arthroscopic TightRope fixation provides satisfactory clinical outcomes for acute AC joint dislocations.
• Coracoclavicular (CC) reconstruction may result in subluxation in dislocations present for over 10 days.
• The TightRope device is a viable option for acute AC joint stabilization, with attention to surgical timing.