title: [Arthroscopically assisted stabilization of acute injury to the acromioclavicular joint with the double TightRope™ technique: one-year results].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological results of 37 consecutive patients (Ø age 37.9; 4♀, 33♂) following arthroscopically assisted and image intensifier-controlled AC joint reconstruction using the double TightRope™ technique for acute AC joint separations grade V according to Rockwood.
  
  
  METHODS
  After 12 months 30 patients with a mean age of 38.8 years (range 18.6-65.8 years) could be included. The postoperative assessment included the Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), Constant Score (CS), and Taft Score (TF) as well as radiological evaluation using bilateral stress views and bilateral Alexander views for determining vertical and horizontal AC joint instability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The clinical scores reached 91.4±9.8% for SSV, 87.8±5.2 for CS, and 10.1±2.1 points for TF. The initial coracoclavicular distance (CCD) was 22.1±5.6 mm and could be reduced to 8.6±2.8 mm postoperatively (p<0.05). The CCD increased at final follow-up to 12.8±2.4 mm. The difference of the CCD compared to the contralateral side was initially 13.7±4.8 mm; postoperatively it was 0.3±3.0 mm with an increase at final follow-up to 3.6±3.5 mm. A posterior instability on the Alexander view occurred in 53.3% of patients. A correlation between inferior clinical results and horizontal instability could be detected. Only one patient was slightly tender to palpation at the AC joint.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Following arthroscopic AC joint stabilization using the double TightRope™ technique, despite partial recurrent instability, favorable clinical results can be expected.
authors.affiliation: Centrum für Muskuloskeletale Chirurgie (CMSC), Charité Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Deutschland.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gerhardt
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kraus
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pauly
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scheibel
mesh_terms: D000173:Acromioclavicular Joint / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult