title: Acromioclavicular separation. Reconstruction using synthetic loop augmentation.
abstract: A total of 110 patients with a diagnosis of acromioclavicular joint separation were seen at our clinic between 1986 and 1991. Of these, 14 patients (12.7%) with grade III, IV, or V injuries required surgical reconstruction and were examined 2 years after surgery. All 14 patients underwent acromioclavicular reconstruction using a synthetic loop passed through drill holes in the base of the coracoid and the anterior third of the clavicle. When the loop is tightened, the clavicle is reduced anatomically without the anterior subluxation caused by simple clavicular cerclage. At an average followup of 44.2 months, patients were evaluated using the University of California, Los Angeles, rating scale. Twelve of the 14 had good or excellent results and returned to normal sport and work activities at 6 months. Of the two initial poor results, one required revision 1 month post-operatively because the patient was noncompliant, and the other required manipulation under anesthesia 3 months after surgery. The results in these two patients at 2 years were good and excellent, respectively. We concluded that, when medically indicated, fixation of the clavicle to the coracoid using this technique yields satisfactory results in an athletic population.
authors.affiliation: Southern California Center for Sports Medicine, Long Beach 90806.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lemos
mesh_terms: D000173:Acromioclavicular Joint / Q000293:injuries*; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000379:methods* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011182:Postoperative Care; D013537:Sutures; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene