Title: Combined Repair and Reconstruction of Coracoclavicular and Acromioclavicular Ligaments for Acute and Chronic AC Joint Dislocations: A Technical Note and Prospective Case Series
Publication Date: 01/03/2025
Publisher: Journal of Clinical Medicine
Link: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/14/5/1730
Post: The acromioclavicular (AC) joint and coracoclavicular (CC) ligaments are crucial for maintaining the vertical and horizontal stability of the clavicle and acromion. These structures are often damaged following an AC joint dislocation. These injuries are relatively common, as the clavicle plays an important role in weight transfer from the upper body to the head, neck, back, and chest, meaning that they are often exposed to high loading. Previous publications have categorised these injuries based on the extent of the injury / number of ligaments involved, and the time since injury, with different treatments recommended for acute (less than 6 weeks since injury) and chronic (more than 6 weeks since injury) cases.
In this publication we explore a novel surgical technique to reconstruct the AC joint and CC ligaments following both chronic and acute injuries. This technique is novel in that it restores long term vertical and horizontal stability to the clavicle using a tightrope construct, an internal brace, and allograft re-enforcement. This study showed that patients had excellent outcomes, with no changes in clavicle stability at 12 months post operatively.
First Author Bio: Freek Hollman
Dr Freek Hollman is a previous fellow of the Brisbane Shoulder Fellowship.
Dr Freek Hollman is a previous clinical fellow with the Brisbane Shoulder Fellowship. Freek has engaged in several research projects at QUT through the Queensland Unit for Advanced Shoulder Research (QUASR) including the application of deep learning and artificial intelligence to shoulder treatment planning and outcome prediction, tissue quality assessment of the rotator cuff, and evaluation of shoulder instability. After completing the fellowship, Freek has returned to the Netherlands to work as an Orthopaedic Surgeon at the VieCuri Medical Centre in Venlo.
