Open Acromioclavicular Joint Reconstruction With Semitendinosus Allograft Utilizing the Cerclage Technique

Acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries most commonly occur in young males after a direct injury at the acromion. General consensus stresses nonoperative treatment for type I and II injuries and surgical treatment for types IV through VI, whereas management of type III injuries is more controversial. If surgery is indicated, there are multiple techniques including hook plate, screw fixation, coracoclavicular fixation, and anatomic and nonanatomic reconstruction. The overall complication rate is high (14%), regardless of technique. In this Technical Note, we outline a technique for open repair of a chronic AC joint separation using a semitendinosus allograft using the cerclage for enhanced fixation.