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Double-Loop Suture Repair for Acute Acromioclavicular Joint Disruption

From the Orthopaedic Clinic, Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Unit, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece

^* Address correspondence to Andreas Panagopoulos, MD, PhD, Ipapantis & 25 Martiou 1, 26504 Kato Kastritsi, Patras, Greece (e-mail: andpan21{at}medscape.com).

Background: Although it has been established that surgical treatment for acromioclavicular joint disruption (types IV–VI and type III in overhead throwing athletes and heavy laborers) is preferred, the literature is inconclusive about the best type of surgery.

Purpose: With the goal of avoiding the potential complications of hardware use, the authors present a coracoclavicular functional stabilization technique with the intention to restore the anteroposterior and superior displacement of the clavicle.

Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods: From 1999 to 2003, 38 patients with an acute, complete acromioclavicular joint separation (34 men, 4 women; mean age, 33.5 years) underwent surgical reconstruction with the described coracoclavicular loop stabilization technique. With this technique, the superior and anteroposterior displacement of the clavicle can be easily controlled using 2 pairs of Ethibond No. 5 nonabsorbable sutures—one passed in front and the other behind the clavicle, through a central drill hole, 2 cm from its lateral end, directly above the base of the coracoid process (at the corresponded attachment of coracoclavicular ligaments). Passive shoulder motion was encouraged by the second postoperative day.

Results: Thirty-four patients were available for the last clinical and radiologic evaluation. At a mean follow-up of 33.2 months (range, 18–59 months), the mean Constant-Murley score was 93.5 points (range, 73–100 points), and 2 cases with slight loss of reduction (less than half of the width of the clavicle) were detected. Complications included 1 case with superficial infection and 1 patient (basketball player) with persistent tenderness in the acromioclavicular joint without signs of secondary arthritis. The incidence of periarticular ossification was 17.6% and did not affect the final outcome. Secondary degenerative changes were not detected.

Conclusion: Considering the nearly anatomical reconstruction, the avoidance of hardware complications, and the low rate of recurrence, this technique may be an attractive alternative to the management of acute acromioclavicular joint separations.

Key Words: acromioclavicular (AC) joint • acromioclavicular joint disruption • coracoclavicular (CC) stabilization • double-loop suture repair