• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.159-165
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• 2020

Acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocations account for about 9% of shoulder injuries. Among them, acute high-grade injury following high-energy trauma accounts for a large proportion of patients requiring surgical treatment. However, there is no gold standard procedure for operative treatment of acute high-grade AC joint injury, and several different procedures have been used for this purpose in clinical practice. This review article summarizes the most recent and relevant surgical options for acute high-grade AC joint dislocation patients and the outcomes of each treatment type.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.168-171
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• 2016

Fractures at the lateral end of the clavicle inevitably require surgical treatment as there is high potential for delayed union or nonunion. Acromioclavicular dislocation also requires stable and solid fixation for healing, and surgical treatment is recommended for the maintenance of joint function. The hook plate maintains the biomechanics of the acromioclavicular joint, enabling early range of motion. Therefore, for the past 10 years, the hook plate has been widely used in distal clavicle fractures and acromioclavicular joint injuries. However, the hook plate is associated with several complications, such as proximal clavicle fractures, widening of the hook hole, rotator cuff tear, subacromial impingement, and often acromial fractures. We report on two unusual cases of acromion fracture after hook plate fixation in patients with distal clavicle fracture and acromioclavicular dislocation alongside a literature review.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.88-96
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• 2005

Purpose: To compare and analyze the outcome of primary clavicular lateral end resection method and conventional acromioclavicular (AC) joint reduction method in type III AC dislocation patients over 45 years. Materials and Methods: This study was performed on selected 24 cases of type III AC dislocation patients, over 45 years of age, operated at our hospital from 1998 to 2002. Group I consist of 12 patients who underwent primary clavicular lateral end resection methods (average age: 54.3 years$(45{\sim}72)$). Group II consist of 7 patients using Bosworth methods and 5 patients using Phemister methods (average age: 54.4 years$(45{\sim}71)$). Clinical outcome was evaluated by Weaver and Dunn method. Radiological results were compared by measuring coracoclavicular distance between normal and injured side. Results: As clinical outcome, good was 10 cases(83%); fair 2(17%) in Group I, and good 6(50%); fair 3(25%); poor 3(25%) in Group II. In contrast, the difference of coracoclavicular distance was not statistically significant between two groups before or after surgery, and last follow up. At the last follow up, there was no special correlation between the difference of coracoclavicular distance and clinical outcome. Conclusion: We considered that primary clavicular lateral end resection may be effective for prevention of arthrosis in AC joint in type III AC dislocation patients over 45 years.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2001

There has been considerable controversy concerning the methods for treatment of dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint, especially in grade III injury. The authors have treated 24 cases of the complete dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint from January 1990 to July 2000. We performed 14 cases of coracoclavicular wiring operation, 10 cases of modified Phemister operation and compared the results and complication of wiring operation with modified Phemister. The clinical results in modified phemister operation were excellent in 8 cases(80%), good in 1 case(l0%), fair 1 case(10%). In wiring operation, excellent is 11 case(78%), good is 2 case(14%), fair is 1 case(14%). The complications of modified Phemister operation were breakage and migration of K-wire in 2 cases. In wiring operation, breakage of wire was in 2 cases but migration was not showed. We prefered coracoclavicular wiring operation for dislocation of acromioclavicular joint of active young adults because of the following advantages: 1) violation of acromioclavicular joint can be avoided but rotation of the clavicle was not restricted. 2) The operation is simple to perform. 3) Postoperative immobilization is minimal. 4) Removal of the wire is easy because wire was not migrated when breakage of wire was occured.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.115-122
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the results of acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation treatment with coracoclavicular ligament augmentation using Tight-Rope$^{(R)}$ (Arthrex). Materials and Methods: From October 2009 to March 2011, 30 patients with acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation underwent coracoclavicular ligament augmentation using Tight-Rope$^{(R)}$ and were followed up for at least 12 months after surgery. The radiologic results were qualified according to serial plain radiographs, and the clinical results according to University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA) Shoulder Scale, Constant score, and VAS pain score. Results: Using the UCLA scoring system, excellent results were observed in 22 cases (73%), good results in five cases (17%), fair results in two cases (7%), and a poor result in one case (3%). The average Constant score was $92.5{\pm}7.5$. According to radiologic results, anatomical reduction was achieved in 26 cases, and two cases showed a moderate loss of reduction, and two cases showed complete re-dislocation. Clinical results for patients with re-dislocation were unsatisfactory and reoperation was required. Conclusion: Coracoclavicular ligament augmentation using Tight-Rope$^{(R)}$ is a good option providing reliable functional results in patients with acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.165-171
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to introduce a new surgical technique and to evaluate the preliminary results after operative treatment with using TightRope$^{(R)}$ for treating acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation. Material and Methods: We studies 10 patients who were followed up for more than 6 months after operative treatment with using an TightRope$^{(R)}$. A longitudinal incision approximately 4cm in length was made from 1cm medial to the acromioclavicular joint to the coracoid process, and then coracocalvicular ligament augmentation using TightRope$^{(R)}$ was done after splitting the deltoid. For postoperative stability, two 1.6 mm Kirschner wires were inserted temporarily across the acromioclavicular joint in all cases. The radiologic results on the serial plain radiographs and the clinical results according to the UCLA score were analyzed. Results: Radiologically, 7 cases showed anatomical reduction, 2 cases showed a slightly loss of reduction and 1 case showed partial loss of reduction. Clinically, 6 cases were excellent, 3 cases were good and 1 case was fair. Conclusion: Coracoclavicular ligament augmentation using TightRope$^{(R)}$ for treating acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation is a minimally invasive, safe procedure that provides satisfactory radiologic and clinical preliminary results. Yet the long-term results have to be analyzed to determine the final results of this procedure.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.155-161
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• 2006

Purpose: To compare the clinical and radiological results between the modified Weaver-Dunn method and modified Phemister method in the acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation. Materials and Methods: We reviewed 19 patients who were treated for the acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation from 2001 to 2002. 10 patients were operated with the modified Weaver-Dunn method (group A) and the others with modified Phemister method (group B). The classification of preoperative injury was analyzed by using the Rockwood system, the clinical assessment of preoperative and postoperative by the modified UCLA rating scale and the radiological assessment by simple x-ray. Results: With the modified UCLA rating scale, group A showed 5 cases(50%) of excellent and 5 cases(50%) of good, group B showed 4 cases(44.4%) of excellent and 5 cases(55.6%) of good. In the radiologic findings of the coracoclavicular distances, group A was 16.2 mm at preoperative, 8.8 mm at postoperative, 9.7 mm at last follow-up and group B was 12.9 mm, 6.7 mm and 7.9 mm respectively. Postoperatively there were no complications such as surgical wound infection and failure of Kirschner wires. Conclusion: Both the modified Weaver-Dunn and modified Phemister methods have shown satisfied clinical and radiologic results, and there was no difference in these result between two groups (p>0.05).

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.240-244
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• 2009

Purpose: This study examined the outcomes of closed reduction and fixation of the coracoid process fracture using a suture anchor in a patient with combined acromioclavicular dislocation for which the coraco-clavicular ligament was intact. Materials and Methods: A 26 year-old male patient with a coracoid process fracture that was associated with a type III acromioclavicular joint dislocation was operated on with anchor suture fixation. This is the first trial of this operative procedure. Results: At the postoperative follow-up at 3 months, complete union of the coracoid process fracture was seen. The shoulder had a full range of motion and the shoulder function was normal. Conclusion: Closed reduction and fixation using one suture anchor for treating coracoid process fracture is a safe, effective procedure.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.159-165
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• 2014

Background: Kirschner's wire (K-wire) transfixation and locking hook plate fixation techniques are widely used in the treatment of acute acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) dislocation. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and radiologic outcomes between K-wires transfixation and a locking hook plate fixation technique. Methods: Seventy-seven patients with acute ACJ dislocation managed with K-wire (56 shoulders) and locking hook plate (21 shoulders) were enrolled for this study. The mean follow-up period was 61 months. Results: At the last follow-up, the shoulder rating scale of the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) was higher in patients treated with locking hook plate than with K-wires ($33.2{\pm}2.7$ vs. $31.3{\pm}3.4$, p=0.009). In radiologic assessments, coracoclavicular distance (CCD) (7.9 mm vs. 7.7 mm, p=0.269) and acromioclavicular distance (ACD) (3.0 mm vs. 1.9 mm, p=0.082) were not statistically different from contralateral unaffected shoulder in locking hook plate fixation group, but acromioclavicular interval (ACI) was significant difference. However, there were significant differences in ACI, CCD, and ACD in K-wire fixation group (p<0.001). Eleven complications (20%) occurred in K-wire transfixation group and 2 subacromial erosions on computed tomography scan occurred in locking hook plate fixation group. Conclusions: ACJ stabilization was achieved in acute ACJ dislocations treated with K-wires or locking hook plates. Locking hook plate can provide higher UCLA shoulder score than K-wire and maintain CCD, and ACD without ligament reconstruction. K-wire transfixation technique resulted in a higher complication rate than locking hook plate.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.188-193
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological results of a modified Phemister method reinforcing the 4 strands of an Ethibond sling for acromioclavicular joint dislocation. Materials and Methods: Between September 1999 and May 2007, 30 acromioclavicular joint dislocation cases underwent a modified Phemister method reinforcing the 4 strands of an Ethibond sling. The average follow-up period was 28.2 months (range: 24~33 months). Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Weitzman classification; the state of coracoclavicular space reduction was done using radiologic findings. Results: According to the Weitzman classification, there were 24 excellent, 4 good and 2 fair case outcomes. The average coracoclavicular distance improved from 16.9 mm to 7.3 mm immediately after surgery. The average ratio of coracoclavicular distance comparing to the contralateral side at the final follow-up was 1.24 (range: 0.68~1.71). Complications included retraction of K-wires in 5 cases and restriction of joint motion in 4 cases. Conclusion: The modified Phemister operation using augmentation of the coracoclavicular ligament by 4 strands of Ethibond is an effective treatment modality in acromioclavicular joint dislocation.