title: Long-term outcomes of tension band wiring with a single K-wire in Rockwood type IV/V acute acromio-clavicular dislocations: 25 cases.
abstract: Our objective was to evaluate the long-term functional and radiological outcomes of tension band wiring with a single K-wire for acute Rockwood types IV and V acromio-clavicular dislocation (ACD).
  
  
  
  Single-centre cross-sectional non-randomised observational cohort study of 25 shoulders treated surgically between January 2002 and December 2004, in 25 patients, 23 males and 2 females, with a mean age of 35±11years (24-46). The evaluation criteria were the absolute and weighted Constant scores, QuickDASH score, subjective shoulder value (SSV), visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score at rest and during activities, and radiographic features in clinically symptomatic patients.
  
  
  
  Mean values were as follows: follow-up, 150±17months (133-167); absolute Constant score, 88±17 (71-105); weighted Constant score, 92.5±12.5 (80-105); QuickDASH, 15.5±7 (8.5-22.5); SSV, 88±17% (71-105); VAS pain score at rest, 0.2±0.7 (0-0.9); and VAS pain score while active, 1.4±2.3 (0-3.7). The weighted Constant score was less than 70% in only 8% of patients. Of the 17 patients for whom radiographs were obtained, 8 had acromio-clavicular osteoarthritis. Mean coraco-clavicular distance was 12.3±4.3mm (8-16.6) and mean acromio-clavicular distance was 5±5mm (0-10). The recurrence rate was 8%.
  
  
  
  Tension band wiring with a single K-wire for acute acromio-clavicular dislocation reliably provides good long-term functional outcomes. Recurrences are uncommon and few patients experience symptoms (8%).
  
  
  
  IV, retrospective study.
authors.affiliation: Clinique universitaire de chirurgie orthopédique et de traumatologie du sport, hôpital Sud, CHU de Grenoble, 38130 Échirolles, France. Electronic address: GLateur@chu-grenoble.fr.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lateur
authors.affiliation: Clinique universitaire de chirurgie orthopédique et de traumatologie du sport, hôpital Sud, CHU de Grenoble, 38130 Échirolles, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boudissa
authors.affiliation: Clinique universitaire de chirurgie orthopédique et de traumatologie du sport, hôpital Sud, CHU de Grenoble, 38130 Échirolles, France.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rubens-Duval
authors.affiliation: Clinique universitaire de chirurgie orthopédique et de traumatologie du sport, hôpital Sud, CHU de Grenoble, 38130 Échirolles, France.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mader
authors.affiliation: Clinique universitaire de chirurgie orthopédique et de traumatologie du sport, hôpital Sud, CHU de Grenoble, 38130 Échirolles, France.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Rouchy
authors.affiliation: Clinique universitaire de chirurgie orthopédique et de traumatologie du sport, hôpital Sud, CHU de Grenoble, 38130 Échirolles, France.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pailhé
authors.affiliation: Clinique universitaire de chirurgie orthopédique et de traumatologie du sport, hôpital Sud, CHU de Grenoble, 38130 Échirolles, France.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Saragaglia
mesh_terms: D000173:Acromioclavicular Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D001864:Bone Wires; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Acromio-clavicular joint; Acute dislocation; Surgical repair