• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.318-321
• /
• 2009

Purpose: The bony mallet finger injury is generally managed by conservative treatments, but operative treatments are needed especially when the fractures involve above 30% of articular surface or distal phalanx is accompanied by subluxation in the volar side. This is the reason they often result in chronic instability, articular subluxation and unsatisfactory cosmetic. In this report, We describe new method using the hook plate as an operative treatment of Mallet finger deformity. Methods: Among 13 patients with Mallet finger deformity who came from February 2006 to February 2008, six patient were included in surgical indication. Under local anesthesia, H or Y type incision was made at the DIP joint area. After the DIP joint extension, the hook plate was put on the fracture line, and one self tapping screw was used for fixation. 2 hole plate which was one of the holes in 1.5 mm diameter was cut in almost half and bended through approximately $100^{\circ}$. Results: In all six cases which applied the hook plate, complications such as loss of reduction or nail deformity were not seen. In only one patient, hook pate was removed due to inflammatory reaction after surgery. At 2 weeks after operation, active motion of DIP joint was performed. The result was satisfactory not only cosmetically but also functionally. At 6 weeks after operation, the range of motion of DIP joint was average $64^{\circ}$. Conclusion: The purpose of the operative treatment for mallet finger deformity using the hook plate is to provide anatomical reduction with rigid fixation and to prevent contracture at the DIP joint. While other operations take 6 weeks, the operation using the hook plate begins an active motion at 2 weeks after operation. Complication rate was low and the method is rather simple. Thus, the operation using the hook plate is recommended as a good alternative method of the mallet finger deformity treatment.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.92-98
• /
• 2010

Purpose: To analyze results of treating acromioclavicular injuries using clavicle hook plates. Materials and Methods: Between February 2008 and April 2010, 18 patients with acromioclavicular joint injury treated by clavicle hook plates were reviewed. Using the Rockwood classification, 7 dislocations were classified as type III injuries and 11 as type V injuries. Implant removal was done at least 3 months from initial fixation. Simple X-rays were taken for comparing the state of reduction, and clinical outcomes were evaluated by the Korean Shoulder Scoring System and the American Shoulder Elbow Society score. The average follow-up period was 9 months. Results: On weight bearing X-rays, the average coracoclavicular distance showed a 114% increase compared to the contralateral side at the time of injury. It decreased to 23% by the last follow-up. The mean Korean Shoulder Scoring System and the American Shoulder Elbow Society score were 80 and 74 at the last follow-up. Conclusion: The immediate stability these plates provide allows rapid rehabilitation. Clavicle hook plate fixation for acromioclavicular joint dislocation is considered an effective method for ensuring satisfactory results both radiologically and clinically.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.202-208
• /
• 2021

Background: We aimed to assess the effect of plate hook bending in treatment of acromioclavicular (AC) dislocation by analyzing clinical and radiological results according to the angle of the plate hook (APH). Methods: This was a retrospective, observational, case-control study including 76 patients with acute AC joint dislocation that were divided into two groups according to treatment with bent or unbent plate hook. The visual analog scale (VAS), the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) shoulder score, and range of motion (ROM) were evaluated as clinical outcomes. Comparative coracoclavicular distance (CCD) was measured to evaluate radiological outcomes. Results: While the VAS and ASES of the bending group at 4 months after surgery were significantly higher (p=0.021 and p=0.019), the VAS and ASES of the bending group at other periods and ROM of the bending group showed no significant difference. The initial CCD decreased from 183.2%±25.4% to 114.3%±18.9% at the final follow-up in the bending group and decreased from 188.2%±34.4% to 119.1%±16.7% in the non-bending group, with no statistical difference (p=0.613). The changes between the initial and post-metal removal CCD were 60.2%±11.2% and 57.3%±10.4%, respectively, with no statistical difference (p=0.241). The non-bending group showed greater subacromial osteolysis (odds ratio, 3.87). Pearson's coefficients for the correlation between APH and VAS at 4 months after surgery and for that between APH and ASES at 4 months after surgery were 0.74 and -0.63 (p=0.027 and p=0.032), respectively. Conclusions: The APH was associated with improved postoperative pain and clinical outcomes before implant removal and with reduced complications; therefore, plate hook bending is more useful clinically during plate implantation.

• The Academic Congress of Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society
• /
• 2009.03a
• /
• pp.4-4
• /
• 2009

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.222-229
• /
• 2017

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcomes after fixation using a 3.5-mm locking compression plate (LCP) hook plate for isolated greater tuberosity (GT) fractures of the proximal humerus. Methods: We evaluated the postoperative radiological and clinical outcomes in nine patients who were followed up at least 1 year with isolated GT fractures. Using the deltopectoral approach, we fixed the displaced GT fragments with a 3.5-mm LCP hook plate (Synthes, West Chester, PA, USA). Depending on the fracture patterns, the hook plate was fixed with or without augmentation using either tension suture or suture anchor fixation. Results: All the patient showed successful bone union. The mean time-to-union was 11 weeks. The radiological and clinical outcomes at the final follow-up were generally satisfactory. The mean visual analogue scale for pain, the University of California at Los Angeles score, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, and the subjective shoulder value were 1.4, 30.3, 84.3, and 82.2%, respectively. The mean active forward flexion, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation of the shoulder were $156.7^{\circ}$, $152.2^{\circ}$, $61.1^{\circ}$, and the 10th thoracic vertebral level, respectively. Only one patient presented with a postoperative complication of shoulder stiffness. The patient was treated through arthroscopic capsular release on the 5th postoperative month. Conclusions: We conclude that fixation using 3.5-mm LCP hook plates for isolated GT fractures of the proximal humerus is a useful treatment method that provides satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.138-144
• /
• 2018

Background: Subacromial erosion remains a major concern after surgical fixation of acromioclavicular (AC) joint using a clavicular hook plate. To minimize postoperative subacromial erosion, we investigated the structural relationship between distal clavicle and acromion around the AC joint by considering the surgical fixation of the joint using the hook plate technique. Methods: Computed tomography scans of 101 AC joints without any inherent pathology were analyzed. The angle between the distal clavicle and acromion around the AC joint (AC angle), depth of the acromion, differences in height between distal clavicle and acromion (AC height difference), and thickness of distal clavicle and acromion at the AC joint were measured. Descriptive statistics were calculated for each anatomical parameter, and all results were compared between gender groups. Results: The mean AC angle was $17.1^{\circ}$(range, $-8.0^{\circ}$ to $39.0^{\circ}$), and the mean AC height difference was 3.5 mm (range, -0.7 to 8.7 mm). Both factors showed very high variability (coefficients of variation=62.6% and 46.6%, respectively). The mean AC angle was significantly higher in the female gender than in the male gender ($19.8^{\circ}$ vs. $13.8^{\circ}$, p=0.048). The mean acromion thickness and distal clavicular thickness were both significantly thinner in the female group than in the male group (p<0.001). Conclusions: Taken together, we believe our results might be helpful in minimizing postoperative subacromial erosion when performing surgical fixation of the AC joint using the hook plate, and be valuable in improving future design of the hook plate.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.21-27
• /
• 2015

Background: To report the radiological and clinical outcomes of internal fixation using distal clavicle hook plates for distal clavicle fractures. Methods: From April 2008 to December 2012, 32 patients with distal clavicle fractures underwent surgery using an AO hook plate. The reduction was qualified and evaluated according to the radiological findings. The evaluation of the clinical outcomes was performed with the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score, the Korean Shoulder score, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score. Results: By radiological evaluation, we found that 31 of 32 patients showed anatomical reduction and solid bone union. Although we obtained satisfactory UCLA scores, Korean Shoulder Scale scores, and VAS pain scores, 12 cases of complications were present. We found 4 cases of osteolysis of the acromion, 1 case of nonunion, 3 cases of periprosthetic fractures, 3 cases of subacromial pain, and 1 case of skin irritation. We performed re-operations in 2 patients. Conclusions: To avoid complications associated with clavicle hook plates, choosing the appropriate hook size and bending of the hook according to the slope of the acromion undersurface is critical. Also, we believe that early removal of clavicle plates may help reduce complications.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.209-215
• /
• 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
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.114-119
• /
• 2014

Background: To evaluate clinical and radiological outcome using AO hook locking plate in acute acromioclavicular joint injuries. Methods: This study was based on patients with Rockwood type 3 or 5 acromioclavicular joint injuries who received surgery with AO hook locking plate from June 2008 until June 2009. Among the 22 patients, 19 of them were male and 3 were female, the mean age was $44.4{\pm}15.57$ years (20-72 years) and follow-up period was $15.5{\pm}3.90$ months (12-23 months). Preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the final follow-up after the plate removal, both coracoclavicular distances were measured from the anteroposterior radiograph. Also, the Shoulder Rating Scale of the University of California at Los Angeles scores (UCLA scores), the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores (ASES scores), Constant scores, and the Korean Shoulder Society scores (KSS scores) were measured at the final followup to evaluate the function of the shoulder joint. Results: At the time of injury, the mean coracoclavicular distance of the injured side was $17.69{\pm}4.23mm$ (9.57-27.82 mm) and the unaffected side was $7.55{\pm}2.20mm$ (3.24-13.05 mm). The mean coracoclavicular distance measured postoperatively and at the final follow-up was $6.87{\pm}2.34mm$ (4.07-14.13 mm) and $8.47{\pm}2.96mm$ (4.37-17.48 mm), respectively. The mean UCLA, ASES, Constant, and KSS scores measured in the final follow-up were $33.5{\pm}1.30$ (31-35), $90.8{\pm}8.36$ (72-100), $78.6{\pm}8.80$ (62-100), and $94.4{\pm}5.08$ (84-100) each. Conclusions: From this short-term research, the surgical treatment using AO hook locking plates in acute acromioclavicular joint injuries is clinically and radiographically satisfying and considered as a useful treatment method.

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