A modified single-endobutton technique combined with nice knot for treatment of Rockwood type III or V acromioclavicular joint dislocation

Purpose Double-endobutton technique, as a widely accepted strategy for the treatment of acromioclavicular joint dislocation, is undergoing constant improvement. This study aims to assess the clinical effect of a modified single-endobutton combined with the nice knot in the fixation of Rockwood type III or V acromioclavicular joint dislocation. Methods From January 2016 to June 2019, 16 adult patients (13 males and 3 females) with Rockwood type III or V acromioclavicular joint dislocation were treated with a modified single-endobutton technique combined with the nice knot in our department. The age ranged from 18 to 64 years old with an average of 32.8 years old. Operative time, intraoperative blood loss, post-operative clinical outcomes and radiographic results were recorded and analyzed. Preoperative and last follow-up scores in the Constant-Murley Scale, Neer score, Rating Scale of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and VAS scale and complications such as infection, re-dislocation, implant loosening, medical origin fracture and hardware pain were recorded and evaluated. Results Sixteen patients were followed up for 6 to 18 months with an average of 10.3 months. The operative time was 50–90 min with an average of (62.5 ± 3.10) min. The intraoperative blood loss was 30–100 ml, with an average of (55.0 ± 4.28) ml. The complications, such as wound infection, internal fixation failure and fractures, were not found in these cases. According to Karlsson criteria, there were excellent in 14 cases, good in 2 cases at the final follow-up. The mean VAS score of the patients was 5.88 ± 0.26 preoperatively, compared with 0.19 ± 0.14 at the final follow-up evaluation. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The mean Constant score was 45.5 ± 2.0 preoperatively, compared to 94.0 ± 0.73 at the final follow-up evaluation. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Patients had statistically significant preoperative and postoperative AC (acromioclavicular distance) and CC (coracoclavicular distance) distances (P < 0.05); 6 months postoperatively the AC(P = 0.412) and CC(P = 0.324) distances were not statistically significant compared to the healthy side. Conclusion Nice knot provides a reliable fixation for the single-endobutton technique in the treatment of acromioclavicular dislocations. The modified single-endobutton technique combined with the nice knot can achieve good clinical outcomes in the treatment of Rockwood type III or V acromioclavicular joint dislocation.

Effectiveness of acromioclavicular joint mobilization and physical therapy vs physical therapy alone in patients with frozen shoulder: A randomized clinical trial

Objectives The objective of this trial was to compare the efficacy of acromioclavicular joint mobilization and standard physical-therapy versus physical-therapy alone in the treatment of the frozen shoulder. Design Single-blind randomized clinical trial. Setting Outpatient setting. Subjects Patients with frozen shoulder. Intervention Participants were randomly allocated into mobilization + physical-therapy (n = 28), and physical-therapy alone (n = 28) groups for one month. Main Measures The primary outcomes were the shoulder pain and disability index and the shoulder range of motion. The secondary outcome was the visual analogue scale. Measures were performed at the baseline, immediately and one month after the beginning of the treatment. Results Visual analogue scale and the shoulder pain and disability index improved more significantly in the mobilization group compared to the physical-therapy group immediately [−4.63 (−5.58–−3.67) vs. −2.22 (−2.96–−1.47), P < 0.001 and −23.08 (−28.63–−17.53) vs. −13.04 (−17.93–−8.16), P = 0.008, respectively] and one month after the beginning of the treatment [−5.58 (−6.45–−4.72) vs. −3.61 (−4.60–−2.62), P < 0.001 and −33.43 (−40.85–−26.01) vs. −20.03 (−26.00–−14.07), P = 0.001, respectively]. Active abduction range of motion was also improved more significantly immediately after the treatment in the mobilization group compared to the physical-therapy group [25.83 (11.45–40.13) vs. 10.17 (1.02–19.15), P = 0.025], however there were no significant differences between two groups concerning other measured range of motions. Conclusions Adding acromioclavicular mobilization to standard physical-therapy was more efficient in decreasing pain and disability and improving active abduction range of motion compared to standard physical-therapy in frozen shoulder patients.

Anatomic reconstruction for acromioclavicular joint injuries: a pilot study of a cost-effective new technique

Background: The treatment for acromioclavicular joint injuries (ACJI) ranges from a conservative approach to extensive surgical reconstruction, and the decision on how to manage these injuries depends on the grade of acromioclavicular (AC) joint separation, resources, and skill availability. After a thorough review of the literature, the researchers adopted a simple cost-effective technique of AC joint reconstruction for acute ACJI requiring surgery.Methods: This was a prospective single-center study conducted between April 2017 and April 2018. For patients with acute ACJI more than Rockwood grade 3, the researchers performed open corococlavicular ligament reconstruction using synthetic sutures along with an Endobutton and a figure of 8 button plate. This was followed by AC ligament repair augmenting it with temporary percutaneous AC K-wires. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Constant Murley shoulder score. Results: Seventeen patients underwent surgery. The immediate postoperative radiograph showed an anatomical reduction of the AC joint dislocation in all patients. During follow-up, one patient developed subluxation but was asymptomatic. The mean follow-up period was 30 months (range, 24–35 months). The mean Constant score at 24 months was 95. No AC joint degeneration was noted in follow-up X-rays. The follow-up X-rays showed significant infra-clavicular calcification in 11 of the 17 patients, which was an evidence of a healed coracoclavicular ligament post-surgeryConclusions: This study presents a simple cost-effective technique with a short learning curve for anatomic reconstruction of acute ACJI. The preliminary results have been very encouraging.