Objective The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the functional outcome and complications of unstable acromioclavicular (AC) joint separations repaired with a single coracoclavicular tunnel utilizing an arthroscopic-assisted curved button technique. Methods Thirty-five patients with a minimum of 12 months follow-up underwent arthroscopic-assisted AC joint reconstruction with suspensory button and 2 mm suture tape fixation using 3 mm tunnels. Functional outcome scores were analyzed preoperatively and at final follow-up with all complications noted. Results Comparing preoperative to postoperative values, all functional outcome scores improved. Three of the 16 (19%) patients that had a supplementary graft looped around the undersurface of the coracoid demonstrated loss of reduction compared to eight of the 19 (42%) that were treated with button and suture fixation alone (p = .138). No loss of reduction occurred in the subset of patients with AC joint supplementation. One (3%) patient sustained a distal clavicle fracture. Conclusion Arthroscopic-assisted AC joint reconstruction with a suspensory button construct demonstrates improved clinical outcomes with high patient satisfaction. While loss reduction remains problematic, smaller bone tunnels appear to lead to a low rate of iatrogenic fractures. The addition of a free tendon graft, as well as AC cerclage, appears to minimize loss of reduction.
Keywords: ac separation; acromioclavicular; arthroscopic; button; reconstruction; suture tape.
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