title: Treatment of Tossy III acromioclavicular joint injuries using hook plates and ligament suture.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The management of acromioclavicular (AC) injuries has long been debated. We analyzed our results in treating such cases using hook plates and ligament suture.
  
  
  METHODS
  : Retrospective nonrandomized study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level I Trauma Center (University Hospital).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five patients (mean age 41 years) with complete Tossy III AC joint disruptions. Using the Rockwood classification, 15 dislocations were classified as type V injuries, 9 as type III injuries, and 1 as a type IV injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients were operatively treated using AC hook plates with ligament suturing after a median delay of 7 days.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical and radiographic evaluation using Constant-Murley functional score and Taft et al criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  : A retrospective clinical and radiographic evaluation of 23 patients was performed after an average follow-up period of 30 months. The mean Constant score was 97 (range, 90-100) points, and the mean Taft score was 10.6 points. All but 1 patient were satisfied with their treatment outcome. Eight cases showed some loss of reduction after plate removal. A poor correlation existed, however, between clinical and radiographic results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The hook plate is a reliable fixation tool for complete AC joint dislocations, ensuring immediate stability and allowing early mobilization with good functional and cosmetic results. Routine plate removal should however be reevaluated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma, Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany. khaled_hamedsalem@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Khaled Hamed
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Salem
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schmelz
mesh_terms: D000173:Acromioclavicular Joint / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000601:surgery*; D008022:Ligaments / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult