Treatment of Acute Rockwood Type 5 Acromioclavicular Dislocations with the Tightrope Technique: retrospective 2-year results

Abstract

Acromioclavicular dislocation is a shoulder pathology seen at a frequency of 9-12%. A definitive treatment method has not yet been defined. The aim of this study was to examine the treatment outcomes of acute traumatic Rockwood Type 5 acromioclavicular dislocations treated with the tightrope technique. The preoperative data and 2-year postoperative results were retrospectively screened of patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopy-supported surgery in our clinic between 2018 and 2022. Evaluations were made of the Constant score, DASH score, acromioclavicular distance and the coracoclavicular distance. The Constant score, acromioclavicular distance and the coracoclavicular distance were determined to be statistically significant preoperatively and in the 2-year results (p<0.05). In 39 patients, there was full reduction and no significant difference in the radiological measurements compared to the contralateral shoulder. On the postoperative images of 3 patients, insufficient reduction was determined. The tightrope fixation method in Rockwood Type 5 acromioclavicular dislocations can be considered a successful method in the long term, with the advantages of being performed with minimally invasive incisions and there being no requirement for implant removal.

Keywords

• TightRope system
• acromioclavicular joint
• coracoclavicular ligament
• shoulder injuries.

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