Comparison of clinical efficacy between arthroscopically assisted Tight-Rope technique and clavicular hook plate fixation in treating acute high-grade acromioclavicular joint separations

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare the results of arthroscopically assisted reduction of acute acromioclavicular (AC) joint separations with the Tight-Rope technique with results of clavicular hook plate fixation. Materials and Methods: The 28 patients with acute high-grade AC joint dislocation were treated with arthroscopic assisted fixation using the Tight-Rope system, the arthroscopic evaluation and treatment of glenohumeral lesions were performed before AC ligament reconstruction. Each Tight-Rope technique group patient was matched with three controls that underwent clavicular hook plate fixation, and preoperation and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) and functional recovery (Constant Score) of the shoulder joint was assessed,. Furthermore, the demographics and clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups. Results: All patients had clinical and radiological results available at 2 years or greater (mean: 34; range: 24–72 months), they were statistically significant improvement in the constant score and VAS score at the end of follow-up respectively ( P < 0.001). Compared with the clavicular hook plate group, Tight-Rope system group patients were incurred significant statistically lower skin incision, hospitalization time and estimated blood loss ( P < 0.001), and the constant score and VAS score at the end of follow-up was significantly higher in the Tight-Rope group ( P < 0.001). Patients who underwent clavicular hook plate had a higher incidence of fixation failure [10 cases (11.9%) versus 2 cases (7.1%)] than those of the Tight-Rope system group. Conclusions: The Tight-Rope technique is advantageous for treating these patients because it is a minimally invasive procedure with low complications and superior clinical outcomes.