Superior clinical results for early arthroscopic treatment of grade IIIb and V acromioclavicular joint instability compared to delayed operative treatment.

Background: Arthroscopy-assisted cortical fixation devices have been increasingly used in the operative management of both acute and chronic cases of acromioclavicular joint instability (ACJI). It has been hypothesized that delayed surgical management leads to inferior clinical and radiologic outcomes compared to acute treatment. The purpose of this study is to compare clinical and radiologic outcomes, scapula dyskinesia, and failure or revision rates of arthroscopically treated acute and chronic ACJI.

Methods: This retrospective study of prospectively collected data included all surgically treated patients with grade IIIb and V chronic ACJI between 2013 and 2017, matched 1:1 to a group of acute grade IIIb and V ACJI patients treated during the same time period. Chronic ACJI was defined as delayed surgical treatment >21 days after injury. Chronic cases received an additional hamstring autograft next to the suture pulley systems. Follow-up was obtained at an average of 3.2 years (range: 1.4-6.2). Clinical outcome scores included the Constant-Murley Score (CMS), Taft Score (TF), Nottingham Clavicle Score (NCS), ACJI Score, Sick Scapula Score (SSS), Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), Subjective Shoulder Test (SST), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form (ASES) score, and the visual analog scale pain score. Radiologic follow-up was obtained pre- and postoperatively and at final follow-up. The 2-year results were compared to the results of a 1:1 matched-pair group comprising patients who were treated with an acute ACJI during the same period.

Results: Thirty-three (80.5%) of 41 chronic ACJI cases were available for follow-up and were compared with 33 matched-pair cases of acute ACJI (of 41). The clinical scores were significantly better in the acute cohort for the CMS (92 ± 8 vs. 88 ± 8, P = .030), ASES (91 ± 13 vs. 85 ± 13, P = .002), SSS (1.4 ± 1.6 vs. 3.4 ± 2.5, P = .0004), NCS (86 ± 13 vs. 81 ± 13, P = .049), TF (9.9 ± 1.9 vs. 9.0 ± 2.1, P = .030), and ACJI (83 ± 13 vs. 75 ± 1, P = .003). In contrast to the chronic cohort, the acute cohort illustrated a significant loss of reduction at follow-up (P = .020).

Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, early arthroscopy-assisted operative treatment of grade IIIb and V ACJIs seems superior to delayed surgical intervention of grade IIIb and V ACJIs. Furthermore, an additional autograft loop leads to less loss of reduction compared with suture pulley/suspensory loop fixation standalones.