Arthroscopic-Assisted Management of Unstable Distal-Third Clavicle Fractures: Conoid Ligament Reconstruction and Fracture Cerclage With Sutures

Surgical treatment is usually indicated for the management of Neer type IIB fractures of the distal third of the clavicle. These unstable injuries have shown a rate of nonunion that oscillates around 30% to 45% when managed conservatively, and surgical strategies often require a second operation for implant removal. We describe an arthroscopic-assisted technique for the treatment of Neer type IIB unstable distal-third clavicle fractures that overcomes the issues related to open surgery, metal hardware, and implant irritation. This technique increases the load to failure of the construct by means of adding a synthetic conoid ligament reconstruction with a nonrigid suspension device, and it allows the diagnosis and treatment of associated glenohumeral injuries. Our technique incorporates a fracture interfragmentary fixation with sutures, thus avoiding a second operation for implant removal

Anatomic Reconstruction of Chronic Coracoclavicular Ligament Tears: Arthroscopic-Assisted Approach With Nonrigid Mechanical Fixation and Graft Augmentation

It has recently been suggested that all coracoclavicular ligament tears could be considered for surgery because nonoperative management might result in irreversible changes in the scapular position that could lead to muscle kinematic alterations that would perturb the shoulder girdle function and result in pain. In this technical note we describe an anatomic technique for the treatment of chronic coracoclavicular ligament tears that overcomes the issues related to open surgery, metal hardware, the inferior resistance to secondary displacement of only grafting and nonanatomic techniques, and the saw effect and anterior loop translation that can be seen in systems that surround the base of the coracoid. Our technique incorporates the use of a tendon graft and a nonrigid mechanical stabilizer that protects the graft from stretching during the process of healing and integration into bone, guaranteeing the maintenance of a reduced acromioclavicular joint

Horizontal and Vertical Stabilization of Acute Unstable Acromioclavicular Joint Injuries Arthroscopy-Assisted

We describe the technical aspects of an arthroscopy-assisted procedure indicated for the management of acute unstable acromioclavicular joint injuries, consisting of a synthetic augmentation of both the coracoclavicular and acromioclavicular ligaments, that anatomically reproduces the coracoclavicular biomechanics and offers fixation that keeps the torn ends of the ligaments facing one another, thus allowing healing of the native structures without the need for a second surgical procedure for metal hardware removal