Abstract: Background: The acromioclavicular joint (AC joint) provides a ‘keystone’ link between the clavicle and the scapula.
Objectives: To evaluate the functional outcome of clavicle hook plate for fractures of lateral end of clavicle & acromioclavicular joint disruption.
Method: This study is a descriptive analysis, approved by the Institution Review Board and the Ethic Committee for the evaluation of the results of hook plate fixation for acromioclavicular joint disruption (Rockwood and Young III-VI) and unstable fractures of the lateral end of clavicle (Neer type II-III). Duration of study from 1st November 2018 to 31st May 2020.
Results: 35 patients were followed of which 28 were males and 7 were females. Left shoulder was involved in 26 patients and right shoulder was involved in 9 patients. There were 25 patients with lateral end clavicle fractures and 10 patients with AC joint injury. Two patients had Diabetes mellitus and 5 patients had hypertension. One patient had both DM and hypertension. Two patients developed shoulder stiffness and two patients developed impingement during the course of follow up. All the patients had a unified surgical approach and operative procedure. The postoperative protocol regarding medication and physiotherapy was also unified (as mentioned earlier). At the last follow up, 27 patients had a excellent outcome according to Quick DASH score. 6 had a good outcome and 2 had a poor outcome. The score ranged from 2.3 to 25 (avg was 7.26)
Conclusion: It was concluded Hook plate is a good option for treatment of AC joint disruption and unstable lateral end clavicle fractures, limited use of instrumentation, short duration of the procedure, stability to the AC joint attained without the need for ligament repair or reconstruction and short learning curve.
