Mini-open vs. arthroscopic double tight-rope reconstruction after acute AC-joint dislocation: a comparison in functional outcome and sports activity.

INTRODUCTION: In athletes, acromioclavicular joint disruptions account for up to 50% of all shoulder injuries. In high-grade injuries, surgery is favored to ensure a correct restoration of the joint, especially in young athletes. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical, radiological and sport related outcomes of the arthroscopic stabilization with the fixation of the AC joint in a mini-open approach.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: 19 patients treated arthroscopically (ASK) and 26 patients with an acute AC-joint dislocation Rockwood V who had undergone the mini-open (MO) surgery were included. Constant Murley Score (CMS), Taft Score (TS) and the Simple Shoulder Tests (SST) were evaluated. The sports activity level was determined according to Valderrabano and the athlete's recovery of their athletic activity level after surgery according to Rhee. Furthermore, all available X-ray images were analyzed.

RESULTS: Patients in the ASK group achieved an average score of 11.7 ± 0.6 points in the SST, 10.3 ± 1.8 points in the TS and 91.2 ± 11.8 points in the CMS. On average, patients in the MO group achieved results of 10.5 ± 1.4 points in the SST, 11.7 ± 0.7 points in the TS and 91.6 ± 9.8 points in the CMS. The ASK group showed significant difference regarding the CC distance in side comparison (Δ = 3.6 mm), whereas no significant difference was found in the MO group (Δ = 0.8 mm). In comparison of both groups, the posterior as well as the combined translation were significantly greater in the ASK group than in the MO group (posterior: ASK: 24.8 mm, MO: 19.3 mm, combined: ASK: 29.1 mm, MO: 20.9 mm). Residual horizontal instability was greater in the ASK group (43%) than in the MO group (32%). Similar results were achieved in sports activity and the recovery of athletic activity (Valderrabano: ASK: 2.8, MO: 2.6; Rhee: ASK: 1.6, MO: 1.5).

CONCLUSIONS: Both techniques prove to be effective for the stabilization of high-grade AC-joint disruptions in athletes and showed excellent clinical results. From a radiographic standpoint, the mini-open procedure appears superior to the arthroscopic technique. After mini-open surgery postoperative loss of correction is less common and greater horizontal stability is achieved. The results also suggest the mini-open technique is superior to the arthroscopic procedure when aiming to restore the athlete's original level of sports activity.