Is Autograft Reconstruction Successful in the Treatment of Chronic Acromioclavicular Separation?

Background: In this study, we aimed to present the clinical and radiologic outcomes of patients with chronic AC joint separation who underwent an autograft and double endobutton application. In addition, we examined the results of patients who had coracoclavicular (CC) ligament reconstruction using autogenous hamstring tendon, without the use of implants.

Methods: A retrospective evaluation was conducted on 21 patients who underwent CC ligament complex reconstruction surgery for chronic AC joint separation. All patients were evaluated in our hospital using history taking, clinical examination, radiologic evaluation, Constant, Taft and Acromioclavicular Joint Instability (ACJI) scores.

Results: The postoperative follow-up period had a mean of 37.3 months (min 15 months-max 68 months). The results of the study revealed significant improvements in clinical scores post-surgery among the 21 male patients with chronic AC joint separation. Specifically, the Constant, Taft, and ACJI scores all showed statistically significant increases from preoperative to postoperative assessments (p <0.001). Radiologically, the coracoclavicular distance in the operated joints significantly reduced to near-normal values compared to the preoperative measurements, indicating successful surgical outcomes.

Conclusion: This study shows that reconstruction with autogenous graft in chronic AC separation cases yields successful results in terms of functional scores and radiologic measurements.

Level of evidence: Level 4, Treatment Studies.