• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.373-379
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• 2023

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the association between smoking and clinical outcomes of hook plate fixation for acute acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries. Methods: This study retrospectively investigated 82 patients who underwent hook plate fixation for acute AC joint dislocation between March 2014 to June 2022. The patients were grouped by smoking status, with 49 in group N (nonsmokers) and 33 in group S (smokers). Functional scores and active range of motion were compared among the groups at the 1-year follow-up. Coracoclavicular distance (CCD) was measured, and difference with the uninjured side was compared at initial injury and 6 months after implant removal. Results: No significant differences were observed between the two groups in demographic factors such as age and sex, as well as parameters related to initial injury status, which included time from injury to surgery, the preoperative CCD difference value, and the Rockwood classification. However, the postoperative CCD difference was significantly higher in group S (3.1±2.6 mm) compared to group N (1.7±2.4 mm). Multivariate regression analysis indicated that smoking and the preoperative CCD difference independently contributed to an increase in the postoperative CCD difference. Despite the radiographic differences, the postoperative clinical outcome scores and active range of motion measurements were comparable between the groups. Conclusions: Smoking had a detrimental impact on ligament healing after hook plate fixation for acute AC joint dislocations. This finding emphasizes the importance of smoking cessation to optimize reduction maintenance after AC joint injury. Level of evidence: III.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.209-216
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to compare treatment results of two different surgical techniques for chronic acromioclavicular joint dislocations. Materials and Methods: Fifty consecutive patients diagnosed as chronic acromioclavicular joint dislocations between January 1997 and June 2009 were included in the study. Patients were randomized into two different groups. Patients in the first group (n=20) were treated using a modified Weaver and Dunn method using a simple coracoacromial ligament transfer method. Patients in the other group (n=30) were treated with acromial bone-block transfer containing coracoacromial ligament. Mean follow-up times for the two groups were 13.1 and 14.9 months, respectively. Results: At 1 year postoperatively, mean coracoclavicular distance, the VAS score and the ASES score for the Weaver-Dunn method group; for the bone block transfer method group were 3.8 mm (-3 to 6 mm), 3.5 (1.0 to 7.0) and 91.1 (81.66 to 95); 3 mm (-2 to 6 mm), 4.2 (1.0 to 7.5) and 79.6 (31.66 to 95). There were no significant differences in radiologic (p=0.377) and functional (p=0.093) results between the two groups. Failures in the former and latter group were, respectively, two and one. Conclusion: The bone block transfer method shows a tendency to maintain coracoclavicular distance and appeared to yield similar results as the modified Weaver Dunn method.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.209-215
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• 2016

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the clinical and radiological outcomes of hook plate fixation for lateral end fracture of the clavicle and acromioclavicular dislocation. Methods: There were a total of 20 cases with lateral end fracture of the clavicle and 16 cases with acromioclavicular dislocation. All patients were evaluated for range of motion, functional score by using Constant score, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons shoulder index at just before implant removal and at final follow-up. Coracoclavicular distance was measured in acromioclavicular dislocation and bony union was evaluated in the lateral end fracture of the clavicle. Results: The clinical outcomes and range of motion were increased at the final follow-up compared with just before implant removal in both the lateral end fracture of the clavicle and acromioclavicular dislocation. In acromioclavicular dislocation, all cases-except one-showed maintenance of reduction after implant removal. Moreover, in the lateral end fracture of the clavicle, all cases-except one-showed bony union. Conclusions: Hook plate fixation in the lateral end fracture of the clavicle and acromioclavicular dislocation resulted in good clinical and radiological results.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.143-148
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• 2016

Background: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the accuracy of reduction based on postoperative computed tomography (CT) images after arthroscopic stabilization using tightrope system for unstable distal clavicle fracture. Methods: Twelve patients with distal clavicle fracture combined with coracoclavicular (CC) ligament injury (type II, V) who received arthroscopically assisted fixation using a flip button device were evaluated for accuracy of reduction using 3-dimensional postoperative CT scan by measuring the degree of distal clavicular angulation and clavicular shortening. Results: Immediate postoperative plain radiograph confirmed restoration of the CC distance (CCD) in 10 patients. At final follow-up, the CCD remained reduced anatomically on plain radiographs in these patients. All patients showed excessive posterior angulation and shortening compared to the opposite side. The average Constant score recovered to 94.8 at final follow-up. Conclusions: Indirect reduction and arthroscopic subacromial approach with flip button fixation of unstable distal clavicle fractures demonstrated favorable clinical results despite unavoidable posterior angulation of distal clavicle and shortening the total length of clavicle.

• 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.2 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 1999

Purpose : There has been considerable controversy as to the method of the treatment of acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation classified to type III injury. The purpose of this study is to compare the conservative and operative treatment of the type III acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation in terms of clinical and radiological results. Materials and Methods: We treated 31 cases of acute, type III acromioclavicular joint dislocation, 17 cases were treated by operative methods and 14 patients by conservative treatment, and 1 year minimum follow-up was done from January 1990 to January 1996. We used UCLA Shoulder Rating Scale for clinical results. And for the radiological results coracoclaviclar distance were measured. We used Fisher's exact test for statistical analysis of results between the two treatment methods. Results: Fifteen(88.2%) of seventeen patients in operative treatment and eleven(78.6%) of fourteen patients in nonoperative treatment were rated excellent or good on the UCLA rating scale. In radiographic evaluation, the average coracoclavicular distances of preoperative state, immediate postoperation(or postreduction) and last follow-up were as follows. In operative cases, it was 1.75±0.21mm, 1.14±0.24mm and 1.33± 0.22mm respectively. In nonoperative cases, it was 1.65±0.14mm, 1.26±0.26mm, and 1.42±0.27mm respectively. Conclusion : This study demonstrated that there was no significant difference in clinical and radiological results between the operative and nonoperative treatment groups. So, nonoperative treatment is recommended for acute type III acromioclavicular dislocation as general rule.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.180-185
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• 1998

There has been considerable controversy as to the treatment method of dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint, so various operative treatment modalities have been suggested. We analyzed the results of 40 patients with acromio­clavicular dislocation, in whom twenty patients were treated by modified Phemister method and 20 patients by modified Weaver-Dunn method above follow-up two years. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical results of two operative methods. According to Weitzman criteriae for clinical results, 12 cases were excellent, six cases good and two cases fair in modified Phemister method. But in modified Weaver-Dunn method, ten cases were excellent, eight cases good, one case fair and one case poor. In radiological result, coracoclavicular distance was measured at preoperative, postoperative and last follow-up period. The modified Phemister method was 6.lmm, 1.5mm and 2.4mm respectively, and the modified Weaver-Dunn method 7.8mm, 2.lmm and 2.5mm respectively. The complications were two cases of heterotopic ossification, one case of inadequate fixation and one case of K-wire breakage in modified Phemister method, and two cases of early fixation loss and one case of heterotopic ossification in modified Weaver-Dunn method. We obtained that the clinical, functional and radiological results showed no significant difference in two methods. The modified Phemister method was effective treatment for old patients in acute injuries due to short operation time and simple technique. The modified Weaver-Dunn method, as a reconstructive operation that reduces various complications for young and active male patients, was also good for getting the stability of coraco­clavicular ligament through clavicular bony union.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.60-67
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the method of using coraco-clavicular (C-C) sling with modified Phemister operation by postoperative clinical results, radiologic analysis and complications. Materials and Methods: 33 patients of acromioclavicular joint dislocation were included in this study. Thirteen patients were treated with simple C-C sling method and twenty patients were treated with modified Phemister operation. The assesment of clinical and radiological evaluation were performed and the final results were examined by using the Weitzman's classification. Results: In the final result of C-C sling method group, forward elevation $161^{\circ}$, external rotation $70^{\circ}$, internal rotation T8 level, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) 83.3 points were checked. In modified Phemister operation group, forward elevation $155^{\circ}$, external rotation $67^{\circ}$, internal rotation T6 level, VAS 83.8 points were checked. In coracoclavicular distance of C-C sling method group, pre-operation 12.82 mm and last follow up 8.37 mm were checked. In modified Phemister operation group, pre-operation 12.8 mm and last follow up 7.7 mm were checked. In functional evaluation by the Weitzman criteria, C-C sling group had excellent 8, good 1, fair 1 and modified Phemister group had excellent 13, good 4, fair 3. Conclusion: C-C sling method would be the better than the Modified Phemister operation because of short operation time and smaller skin incision.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.149-154
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• 2016

Background: The purpose of this study is to compare clinical and radiological outcomes between trans-acromial fixation with Kirschner's wire (K-wire) and AO locking hook plate fixation for acute acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation. Methods: This study included 61 patients who underwent either closed reduction and trans-acromial fixation with K-wire (group A, 23 patients) or open reduction and internal fixation with AO locking hook plate (group B, 38 patients). Pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS) score, the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder score, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and active range of motion (ROM) were used in the functional evaluation. For radiological evaluation, coracoclavicular distance (CCD) was measured on both clavicular anteroposterior view and compared between groups. Results: At one-year follow-up, no significant differences in VAS pain score, UCLA shoulder score, ASES score, and active ROM were observed between groups, despite five cases (22.7%, 5/23) of complication in group A. The side-to-side difference between normal and affected CCD was $2.4{\pm}2.2mm$ in group A and $0.2{\pm}0.7mm$ in group B. This difference showed a statistical significance between groups (p<0.001). Conclusions: For the treatment of acute AC joint dislocation, the K-wire trans-acromial fixation group showed a significantly greater CCD than the AO locking hook plate group. In addition, during the follow-up period, much higher incidence of complication related to implant was observed in the trans-acromial fixation group. Although clinical outcomes between groups were not significantly different, these results should be interpreted carefully.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.153-161
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• 2017

Background: This study was conducted to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of the locking hook plate fixation (HP) technique and the single tight rope (TR) technique applied for acute high-grade acromioclavicular (AC) joint separations. Methods: Between 2009 and 2014, 135 consecutive patients with acute AC joint separation Rockwood types III, IV, and V were subjected to surgical reconstruction. One hundred fourteen patients (84.4%) were available for retrospective evaluation. Of them, 62 and 52 were treated using the single TR group and clavicular HP group techniques, respectively. The visual analogue scale, Constant, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and Taft scores were used for clinical assessment. Postoperative shoulder range of motion was also assessed. An anteroposterior radiograph of the coracoclavicular distance (CCD) was obtained to evaluate the radiographic signs of recurrence. Results: The TR group patients had better Constant, ASES, and Taft scores than the HP group patients. The loss of reduction in terms of the CCD did not differ between groups. Subacromial osteolysis was observed in 34.6% of the cases in the HP group. However, there were no significant differences in the clinical outcomes between the patients with and without osteolysis in the HP group. Subcoracoid osteolysis, drill tunnel widening, and metal displacement were observed in 3.2%, 22.6%, and 4.8% of the cases in the TR group, respectively. Conclusions: The single TR technique was relatively more effective at treating acute high-grade AC joint injuries than the HP fixation technique (level of evidence: therapeutic; retrospective comparative study, Level III).