Abstract
Background
A common treatment for symptomatic os acromiale is open fixation using two lag screws with a tension band. In several patients, we have used two screws alone inserted arthroscopically and posited that they would achieve equivalent fixation stability.
Methods
Twelve matched pairs of cadaver acromions had a simulated non-union created and were fixed with two cannulated lag screws. Six pairs used a Fiberwire (Arthrex, Naples, FL, USA) tension band in one of each pair; the other six pairs similarly used a stainless steel wire tension band. Specimens were mechanically loaded in a variety of modes to determine fixation stability.
Results
Neither of the tension band constructs demonstrated significantly stiffer or stronger fixations in the testing modes than the screws alone.
Conclusion
An arthroscopic fixation of os acromiale with two screws appears justified.
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