Clinical Results of Single-Tunnel Coracoclavicular Ligament Reconstruction Using Autogenous Semitendinosus Tendon

Abstract

Background

Over 60 repair/reconstruction techniques have been described for the treatment of coracoclavicular (CC) ligament injuries.

Purpose

To report the functional and radiological outcomes of single-tunnel CC ligament reconstruction using autogenous semitendinosus tendon.

Study Design

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

Between August 2005 and January 2008, a total of 21 patients, 16 patients (14 men, 2 women) with a Rockwood type IV, type V, or a chronic type III acromioclavicular (AC) dislocation and 5 patients (4 men, 1 woman) with a painful nonunited distal clavicle fracture with CC separation, underwent CC reconstructive surgery using a semitendinosus autograft. All 21 patients were followed up clinically and radiographically. The mean follow-up was 33 months (range, 18–47), and the mean patient age was 39.8 years (range, 18–70). Chronic type III AC dislocations and nonunited distal clavicle fractures with CC separation were scored using preoperative AC scoring (AC Joint Separation Questionnaire). Constant, University of California–Los Angeles (UCLA), and AC scores were evaluated for all patients at final follow-up.

Results

At the final follow-up, 10 patients achieved an “excellent” result and 11 a “good” result according to the AC scoring scheme. Mean final Constant and UCLA scores were 84.7 (range, 67–94) and 30.0 (range, 23–35), respectively. In the anteroposterior (AP) plane, 17 (81%) of the 21 patients maintained complete reduction, and 1 of the remaining 4, a manual laborer, had complete reduction loss. Of the 17 patients with an axillary view at final follow-up, 1 patient (5.9%) showed partial subluxation, although no subluxation was observed in the AP radiograph. The other 16 patients (94.1%) had a complete reduction state in axillary view.

Conclusion

Single-tunnel CC reconstruction with an autogenous hamstring tendon graft after a mean follow-up of 33 months (range, 18–47) appears to be a satisfactory means of treating acute Rockwood type IV, V, chronic type III, and painful nonunited distal clavicle fractures with CC separation.