Biomechanical evaluation of an independent acromioclavicular ligament repair for acromioclavicular joint reconstruction. (June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ibrahim, Daniel K; Lam, Patrick H; Aveledo Anzola, Ricardo J; Murrell, George AC
• Is Part Of: Shoulder & elbow. Volume 12:Number 3(2020)
• Page Start: 184
• Page End: 192
• Publication Date: 2020-06
• Subjects: acromioclavicular joint -- dislocation -- independent acromioclavicular reconstruction -- shoulder -- biomechanical; Elbow -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Elbow -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Shoulder -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Shoulder -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Shoulder -- Periodicals; Elbow -- Periodicals; Shoulder Joint -- Periodicals; Elbow Joint -- Periodicals; 617.572005
• DOI: 10.1177/1758573219857685
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1758-5732

Abstract

Background: A number of surgical techniques for the treatment of acromioclavicular joint separations have been described; however, few have been able to create a strong intra-operative construct that provides minimal joint translation. A biomechanical study was conducted to examine joint translation in an independent acromioclavicular ligament repair. Methods: Three variations of a novel independent acromioclavicular ligament repair technique underwent testing using a Sawbones model. The technique involves threading sutures through two acromial bone tunnels in a suture-bridge configuration and anchoring them into the distal clavicle. Three groups of eight specimens underwent reconstruction; group 1 using FiberTape, group 2 using FiberWire and group 3 using FiberTape in a modified (under-over) suture-bridge configuration. Superior, anterior and posterior translation was tested at loads of 10, 20 and 30 N. Results: Group 3 repair yielded the least translation in both anterior–posterior and superior–inferior planes, with a two-fold decrease in superior translation compared to groups 1 and 2 (P < .05). Both groups 1 and 3 using FiberTape resulted in significantly less anterior and posterior translation compared to the FiberWire group (P < .05). Discussion: The independent acromioclavicular ligament repair, without repair of the coracoclavicular ligament, demonstrated significant translational stability in the anterior–posterior and superior–inferior planes.