[Treatment of acromioclavicular joint dislocation with the Rahmanzadeh joint plate]

Type Tossy III dislocations of the acromioclavicular joint (AC) are treated surgically in German-speaking countries. There is considerable rotation and tilting in the AC joint with elevation or abduction of the shoulder joint over 90 degrees. Thus, in the majority of countless surgical procedures, the abduction and elevation are restricted or immobilized for long periods in abduction strapping or other types of movement restriction. The AC joint plate developed by Prof. Rahmanzadeh enables early functional, complete physical therapy since the plate permits rotation and tilting. Over a period of 13 years, 133 patients have been treated with this plate. 83 patients could be included in the follow-up examination. On the average, the follow-up was 4.8 years after surgery. In the evaluation score according to Taft et al., 76% of the patients in the follow-up showed very good or good results. The surgical procedure is standardized and will show that no immobilization is required postoperatively. It could already be seen of the first postoperative day that patients could passively elevate up to 90 degrees. At the latest, free active abduction and elevation are reached after 5 weeks. Material removal should take place after 12 weeks. Due to the limited tissue covering in the area of the AC joint, a higher rate of infection can be expected than in other osteosyntheses. However, there were no persistent infections. Transitory problems in the implantation were remedied by constructive changes in the course of its development. Rahmanzadeh's AC plate is outstandingly suited for surgical treatment of type Tossy III AC joint injuries and for the treatment of lateral clavicle fractures.