• 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.21 no.4
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• pp.227-233
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the radiologic results of patients who underwent surgery with a hook plate and a locking plate in distal clavicle fractures. Methods: Sixty patients underwent surgical treatment for Neer type IIa, IIb, III, and V distal clavicle fracture. Twenty-eight patients underwent fracture fixation with a hook plate and 32 with a locking plate. Coracoclavicular distance was measured on standard anteroposterior radiographs before and after the surgery, and union was confirmed by radiograph or computed tomography taken at 6 months postoperatively. Other radiologic complications like osteolysis was also checked. Results: Bony union was confirmed in 59 patients out of 60 patients, and 1 patient in the hook plate group showed delayed union. Coracoclavicular distance was decreased more in the hook plate group after surgery (p<0.01). After 6 weeks of the hook plate removal, the coracoclavicular distance was increased a little compared to before metal removal, but there was no difference compared to the contralateral shoulder. Eleven out of 28 patients (39.3%) showed osteolysis on the acromial undersurface in the hook plate group. Conclusions: Both the hook plate group and the locking plate group showed satisfactory radiologic results in distal clavicle fractures. Both hook plate and locking plate could be a good treatment option if it is used in proper indication in distal clavicle fracture with acromioclavicular subluxation or dislocation.

• 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.25 no.3
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• pp.230-235
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• 2022

Background: Unstable distal clavicles experience high non-union rates, prompting surgeons to recommend surgery for more predictable outcomes. There is a lack of consensus on the optimal method of surgical fixation, with an array of techniques described in the literature. We describe an alternative method of fixation involving the use of a distal clavicular anatomical locking plate with Fibertape cerclage augmentation in our series of patients. Methods: Nine patients (8 males and 1 female), with a mean age of 36 years, who sustained unstable fracture of the distal clavicle in our institution were treated with our described technique. Postoperative range of motion, functional and pain scores, and time to radiographic union were measured over a mean follow-up period of 10 months. Incidences of postoperative complications were also recorded. Results: At the last patient consult, the mean visual analog scale score was 0.88±0.35, with a mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score of 1.46±0.87 and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score of 94.1±3.57. The mean range of motion achieved was forward flexion at 173°±10.6°, abduction at 173°±10.6°, and external rotation at 74.4°±10.5°. All patients achieved internal rotation at a vertebral height of at least L2 with radiographical union at a mean of 10 weeks. No removal of implants was required. Conclusions: Our described technique of augmented fixation of the distal clavicle is effective, produces good clinical outcomes, and has minimal complications.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.149-153
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• 2019

We experienced acromial erosion and subsequent fracture after the treatment of Rockwood type V acromioclavicular dislocation with hook plate and coracoclavicular ligament augmentation. It was treated by using a surgical technique to address an acromial fracture and subsequent losses of reduction in acromioclavicular joint with two trans-acromial cortical screws (crossbar technique). The reduction state of acromioclavicular joint could be maintained by these two screws. Our crossbar technique could be considered as a good salvage procedure for the reduction loss caused by cutout or significant erosion of acromion after insertion of clavicular hook plate.

• 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).

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiologic and clinical outcomes after operative treatment using endobuttons for unstable distal clavicle fractures. Materials and Methods: Between October 2007 and September 2009, 9 consecutive patients who were followed up for at least more than 12 months after operative treatment using a TightRope$^{(R)}$ were studied. The radiologic results on the serial plain radiographs and the clinical results according to the American Shoulder Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score were analyzed. Result: Bony union was shown in 8 cases (88.9%) and the average time to union was 12.9 (range: 9~16) weeks. The average coracoclavicular distances at the postoperative and final follow-up were 5.6 mm and 6.2 mm, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (p>0.05). The average ASES score was 90.3 (range: 78~96) and the clinical outcomes were 6 excellent, 2 good and one fair. There were no complications such as implant failure or infection except for one case of nonunion due to loss of the initial reduction. Conclusion: A major advantage of TightRope$^{(R)}$ fixation for unstable distal clavicle fractures is that no further surgery is needed to remove the implant. We suggest that this technique provides an alternative for fracture with a distal fragment, which is difficult to fix.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.126-132
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• 1999

Purpose : To evaluate the functional and radiographic outcome of the modified Bosworth method in the surgical treatment of acute type V acromioclavicular joint dislocation. Materials and Methods: From June 1995 to May 1998, 20 patients were operated on for acute and complete acromioclavicular dislocation(Rockwood type V). The operative technique includes fixation of the coracoclavicular joint with Bosworth screw or 6.5mm cancellous screw and imbrication of trapezius and deltoid muscles. The average age was 34 years(range, 19 to 51 years). These 20 patients with an average follow-up of 18months, were evaluated clinically using the UCLA scoring system. Additional radiographical assessment was performed with stress radiographs. Results: Excellent or good clinical results were obtained in 95%(19 cases). And the average coracoclavicular interval ratio was decreased from 3.31(2.2-6.0) to 1.13(1-1.4) in stress radiographs. There were 4 cases of hetero­topic calcification postoperatively but there was no correlation with clinical result. Posttraumatic A-C joint arthritis was developed in one case. In that case, the distal clavicular resection was done under the arthroscopic technique. Conclusion: The severe displacement observed with type V injuries is incompatible with normal shoulder function if the shoulder is left in its displaced position. In type V injuries, significant damage to the deltoid and trapezius musculature and overlying fascia occurs, therefore open reduction and good fixation must be obtained with imbrication of trapezius and deltoid muscles. In our type V acute complete acromioclavicular dislocation, the modified Bosworth technique provides excellent results with a low complication rate.