Functional and Radiographic Outcomes After Anatomic Coracoclavicular Ligament Reconstruction for Type III/V Acromioclavicular Joint Injuries

BACKGROUND: Acromioclavicular (AC) joint separation is a common injury. The anatomic coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction (ACCR) technique is a viable treatment option, designed to restore the native joint anatomy. PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients undergoing ACCR for the treatment of type III and V AC joint injuries with a minimum 2-year follow-up. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on prospectively collected data. Patients who underwent ACCR for type III or V AC joint injuries between January 2003 and December 2015 were analyzed. Clinical outcome measures included the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Rowe score, Simple Shoulder Test (SST), and Constant-Murley (CM) score. To determine the clinical relevance of the ASES score, the minimal clinically important difference (MCID), substantial clinical benefit (SCB), and patient acceptable symptomatic state (PASS) were used. The pre- and postoperative coracoclavicular distance (CCD) and side-to-side difference in the CCD were measured for radiographic analysis. RESULTS: A total of 43 patients (22 acute, 21 chronic) were included in the study. The mean patient age was 43.4 ± 11.4 years, with a mean follow-up of 3.4 years (range, 2.0-7.5 years). With regard to the ASES score, 92% of patients achieved the MCID, 81% achieved the SCB, and 49% reached or exceeded the PASS. There was no significant difference when stratifying by type (III vs V) or chronicity (acute vs chronic) of injury (both P > .05). The Rowe score improved from 66.6 ± 15.9 preoperatively to 88.6 ± 12.3 postoperatively, the CM score from 61.6 ± 18.8 to 87.4 ± 15.1, and the SST score from 6.2 ± 3.6 to 9.4 ± 3.7 (all P < .001). The postoperative side-to-side difference in the CCD was 3.1 ± 2.7 mm, with type III injuries (2.4 ± 1.9 mm) showing significantly lower measurements compared with type V (4.2 ± 3.4 mm) (P = .02). No significant trend was found between joint reduction and the improvement in clinical outcomes (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing ACCR for acute and chronic type III and V AC joint injuries maintained significant improvement in clinical and radiographic outcomes at a minimum 2-year follow-up. Additionally, 81% of patients reached the SCB after surgical reconstruction.