The Superior Shoulder Suspensory Complex (SSSC) is a bony and soft tissue ring comprising the glenoid process, the coracoid process, the coracoclavicular ligaments, the distal clavicle, the acromioclavicular joint, and the acromion. The SSSC maintains a normal stable relationship between the upper extremity and the axial skeleton. High-energy injury, such as traffic accident or a fall, can cause disruption of the SSSC. Single traumatic disruption of the SSSC is common. However, double disruption of the SSSC is infrequent and surgical management is generally necessary. We have experienced a case of triple fracture involving the coracoid process, the acromion, and the distal end of the clavicle. Such disruption of the SSSC has not been previously reported in our country and only one case has been reported in the Western literature; the authors obtained positive clinical results with surgical treatment. We report here on this case and include a review of the relevant literature.
Accidents, Traffic ; Acromioclavicular Joint ; Acromion ; Clavicle ; Ligaments ; Shoulder ; Skeleton ; Upper Extremity

No abstract available.
Acromioclavicular Joint* ; Acromion* ; Dislocations*

PURPOSE: Fixation of fracture using modified tension band is a very useful treatment method, but loss of fixation caused by loosening of K-wires still remain problem. So we have studied the usefulness of modified tension band with looped pin in order to prevent loss of internal fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 1999 to June 2002, we had treated 40 patients with this technique, including 16 patella, 8 olecranon, 8 distal clavicle fractures in which three were nonunion fractures, 5 ankle fractures and 3 acromioclavicular joint separations. We looped the pin which has been used for ring external fixator, in line with its long axis. RESULTS: After mean postoperative follow-up of 20 months, there were no loosening of looped pin in all cases and we obtained satisfactory results of functional evaluation. There were no complications of nonunion or metallic irritation. CONCLUSION: We concluded that modified tension band with looped pin could prevent displacement of internal fixation, and reduce the subsequent complications. Especially in elbow and shoulder joint that the displacement of fixation pin occured frequently, It was considered as very useful operative technique.
Acromioclavicular Joint ; Ankle Fractures ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Clavicle ; Elbow ; External Fixators ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Olecranon Process ; Patella ; Shoulder Joint

Fractures at the lateral end of the clavicle inevitably require surgical treatment as there is high potential for delayed union or nonunion. Acromioclavicular dislocation also requires stable and solid fixation for healing, and surgical treatment is recommended for the maintenance of joint function. The hook plate maintains the biomechanics of the acromioclavicular joint, enabling early range of motion. Therefore, for the past 10 years, the hook plate has been widely used in distal clavicle fractures and acromioclavicular joint injuries. However, the hook plate is associated with several complications, such as proximal clavicle fractures, widening of the hook hole, rotator cuff tear, subacromial impingement, and often acromial fractures. We report on two unusual cases of acromion fracture after hook plate fixation in patients with distal clavicle fracture and acromioclavicular dislocation alongside a literature review.
Acromioclavicular Joint ; Acromion* ; Clavicle* ; Dislocations ; Humans ; Joints ; Osteolysis ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Rotator Cuff ; Tears

BACKGROUND: Subacromial erosion remains a major concern after surgical fixation of acromioclavicular (AC) joint using a clavicular hook plate. To minimize postoperative subacromial erosion, we investigated the structural relationship between distal clavicle and acromion around the AC joint by considering the surgical fixation of the joint using the hook plate technique. METHODS: Computed tomography scans of 101 AC joints without any inherent pathology were analyzed. The angle between the distal clavicle and acromion around the AC joint (AC angle), depth of the acromion, differences in height between distal clavicle and acromion (AC height difference), and thickness of distal clavicle and acromion at the AC joint were measured. Descriptive statistics were calculated for each anatomical parameter, and all results were compared between gender groups. RESULTS: The mean AC angle was 17.1°(range, −8.0° to 39.0°), and the mean AC height difference was 3.5 mm (range, −0.7 to 8.7 mm). Both factors showed very high variability (coefficients of variation=62.6% and 46.6%, respectively). The mean AC angle was significantly higher in the female gender than in the male gender (19.8° vs. 13.8°, p=0.048). The mean acromion thickness and distal clavicular thickness were both significantly thinner in the female group than in the male group (p < 0.001) CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, we believe our results might be helpful in minimizing postoperative subacromial erosion when performing surgical fixation of the AC joint using the hook plate, and be valuable in improving future design of the hook plate.
Acromioclavicular Joint ; Acromion ; Clavicle ; Female ; Humans ; Joints ; Male ; Pathology ; Shoulder Fractures

Fractures at the lateral end of the clavicle inevitably require surgical treatment as there is high potential for delayed union or nonunion. Acromioclavicular dislocation also requires stable and solid fixation for healing, and surgical treatment is recommended for the maintenance of joint function. The hook plate maintains the biomechanics of the acromioclavicular joint, enabling early range of motion. Therefore, for the past 10 years, the hook plate has been widely used in distal clavicle fractures and acromioclavicular joint injuries. However, the hook plate is associated with several complications, such as proximal clavicle fractures, widening of the hook hole, rotator cuff tear, subacromial impingement, and often acromial fractures. We report on two unusual cases of acromion fracture after hook plate fixation in patients with distal clavicle fracture and acromioclavicular dislocation alongside a literature review.
Acromioclavicular Joint ; Acromion ; Clavicle ; Dislocations ; Humans ; Joints ; Osteolysis ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Rotator Cuff ; Tears

Isolated acromial fracture is not common and it frequently accompanies fractures to the coracoid process and glenoid bone and also injuries to the acromioclavicular joint. Furthermore, most of these combined acromial fractures have minimal displacement, which needs no additional treatment other than protection for a certain period of time. We have experienced a case of isolated fracture of the posterolateral angle of the acromion, which we reduced and fixated using K-wire and cannulated screws. We report on the technical aspects and clinical results of this reduction and fixation, along with a review of the literature.
Acromioclavicular Joint ; Acromion ; Displacement (Psychology)

We experienced acromial erosion and subsequent fracture after the treatment of Rockwood type V acromioclavicular dislocation with hook plate and coracoclavicular ligament augmentation. It was treated by using a surgical technique to address an acromial fracture and subsequent losses of reduction in acromioclavicular joint with two trans-acromial cortical screws (crossbar technique). The reduction state of acromioclavicular joint could be maintained by these two screws. Our crossbar technique could be considered as a good salvage procedure for the reduction loss caused by cutout or significant erosion of acromion after insertion of clavicular hook plate.
Acromioclavicular Joint ; Acromion ; Dislocations ; Ligaments

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of two surgical methods with tension band wire and Hook plate for unstable distal clavicle fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with type II distal clavicle fractures were evaluated, who were operated with tension band wire (Group I) and Hook plate (Group II) fixation, from June 2005 to June 2009, and could be followed-up for more than 1 year after operation. The reduction and union were evaluated by the immediate post-operative and final radiographs. The functional outcome was evaluated by Kona's system and Constant-Murley scoring system. RESULTS: All 30 cases showed bony union. By Kona's functional evaluation, there were 16 cases with excellent and good results in Group I and 14 cases in Group II. The average Constant score was 88.3 (71~100) in Group I and 89.6 (72~100) in Group II, but there was no significant difference in both groups. As complications, there were 2 case with subacromial impingement, and 1 case showed subacromial erosion. There was no K-wire migration, deep infection and acromioclavicular joint arthritis. CONCLUSION: Tension band and Hook plate fixation technique gave satisfactory clinical and radiological results in patients with type II distal clavicle fractures. These results suggest that tension band wire and Hook plate fixation technique seems to be an effective method for type II distal clavicle fracture. But we think thal early removal of plate is necessary due to risks for subacromial impingement and erosion in Hook plate fixation.
Acromioclavicular Joint ; Clavicle ; Humans

Craniovertebral junction surgery involves an appropriate philosophical, biomechanical and anatomical understanding apart from high degree of technical skill and ability of controlling venous and arterial bleeding. The author presents his 30-year experience with treating complex craniovertebral junction instability related surgical issues. The facets of atlas and axis form the primary site of movements at the craniovertebral junction. All craniovertebral junction instability is essentially localized to the atlantoaxial facet joint. Direct manipulation and fixation of the facets forms the basis of treatment for instability.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Hemorrhage ; Syringomyelia ; Zygapophyseal Joint