Results following the surgical treatment of acromioclavicular joint dislocations. a comparison of direct trans- and extra-articular fixation
Weckbach, A.
Aktuelle Traumatologie 21(5): 204-208
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0044-6173 PMID: 1683514 Document Number: 385657
During the years 1985-1988, a total of 41 patients were treated for acromioclavicular dislocations. 25 (61%) were followed postoperatively for an average of 21 months. Two different methods of direct fixation of the AC-joint were compared: in 13 patients the transarticular fixation with two Kirschner wires and a 7.5 mm biodegradable Polydioxanon band (group I); in 12 patients an extraarticular fixation with PDS-band alone (group II). In both groups the ruptured ligament were sutured. In the first group physiotherapy was instituted immediately with limitation in abduction range to ninety degrees. After six weeks the Kirschner wires were removed under local anaesthesia and physiotherapy progressed to full range of motion. The shoulders of the second group patients were immobilized for 4 weeks. All of the patients were evaluated at follow-up on a subjective (pain, stiffness), objective (strength, range of motion, stability of the AC-joint) and roentgenographic (degree of displacement, posttraumatic arthritis, calcifications around the injured ligaments) basis. In both groups we saw good and satisfying results in more than 90%. A significant difference exists only as far as rehabilitation time is concerned. It was shorter in group I. In spite of the complications we observed with the metallic implants, which didn't have any negative influence on the results, we prefer the transarticular fixation method, because an immobilization postoperatively is not necessary and the time of rehabilitation is shortened.