Abstract: Background: Acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries are commonly seen with as many as 9% of all shoulder girdle injuries [1], commonly seen in young men, aged between 20 and 40 years with male-to-female ratio of 8.5:1 [2]. There are various surgical methods to treat AC joint dislocation. Recently, the endobutton technique has been elucidated for the treatment of AC-joint dislocation. Hence we employed this technique and analysed its outcome.
Materials and Method: 20 patients aged between 18-65 years with acute Type III–VI AC joint dislocation were included in the study. Radiograph of both clavicle anteroposterior (AP) stress view was obtained to diagnose. All patients were treated with Double Endobutton technique. Postoperative rehabilitation regimen was followed for all the patients. Outcome was assessed using Visual analogue score (VAS), Constant Shoulder Score (CSS) and AP radiograph of affected side at regular intervals. Descriptive statistical analysis done using Microsoft Excel 2016.
Result and Observations: Out of 20 patients, 17 were male, with overall mean age of 37.7±12.16 years. Left side was affected in 11 patients, which was non-dominant side. All 20 dislocations were of Rockwood type III. Most common cause was a fall. Mean postoperative VAS was 0.35±0.48 and mean postoperative CSS was 88.15±10.15 (p<0.001). At final follow-up, 4 patients showed loss of reduction. No other complications were noticed.
Conclusion: Double Endobutton technique is a simple, cost-effective, one-time surgery which restores the coraco-clavicular (CC) interval and maintains it till the native ligaments heal. It proves to be an excellent alternative modality to treat the AC joint dislocation.
