Outcome Analysis of Loop Endobutton Repair for Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocation

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Traumatology
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocations are common injuries in young and middle-aged adults, often caused by high-energy trauma.
• Surgical management is standard for high-grade injuries (Rockwood III-VI), but optimal techniques are debated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical and functional outcomes of the Endobutton loop system for acute AC joint dislocations.
• To assess the safety and efficacy of this surgical technique in managing AC joint injuries.

Main Methods:

• Prospective observational study of 25 patients with acute Rockwood Grade III-VI AC joint dislocations.
• Surgical reconstruction using a closed-loop Endobutton device.
• Outcomes assessed using Constant-Murley Shoulder Score (CMS) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months.

Main Results:

• Significant improvement in mean CMS from 54.68 at 2 weeks to 90.64 at 6 months.
• Significant reduction in mean VAS pain scores from 8.12 to 1.52 over 6 months.
• Low overall complication rate (8%) with 92% of cases having no hardware failures.

Conclusions:

• The Endobutton loop system is a safe, reliable, and effective surgical option for acute AC joint dislocations.
• The technique provides stable reduction, excellent functional recovery, and minimal complications across all Rockwood grades.