Suture anchors versus hook plates in treatment of patients with acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation

Objective To compare the effect of suture anchors and hook plates in treatment of patients with acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation. Methods Totally 30 patients with acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation were divided into two groups. In the control group(n=17), the acromioclavicular joint was reset and fixed with hook plates, and the coracoclavicular ligament in the experimental group(n=13)was reconstructed with suture anchors, and the acromioclavicular joint was reset and fixed. The range of motion of the shoulder, score of Visual Analogue Scale(VAS), score of Constant-Murley score, maintenance of the acromioclavicular joint restoration and complications were compared between the two groups. Results There were no significant differences in the time from injury to operation, follow-up time, range of body side internal rotation, VAS score and Constant-Murley score between the two groups(P>0.05), but the range of shoulder joint flexion and lifting and the range of body side lateral rotation in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05). There was one case with partially lost of acromioclavicular joint reduction in the control group, and one case with completely lost and one case with partially lost of acromioclavicular joint reduction in the experimental group. The wounds in both groups healed normally, and there were no complications such as postoperative infection and hematoma formation in both groups. Conclusion By inserting suture anchors in the base of coracoid process to reconstruct coracoclavicular ligament and reset and fix the acromioclavicular joint, the occurrence of postoperative shoulder stiffness in patients with acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation can be reduced and the function - of shoulder joint can be restored.