An Innovative Approach to Chronic and Neglected Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocation: A Cost-Effective and Reliable Solution.
- 1Department of Orthopedics, Shatabdi Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
- 2Department of Orthopedics, Bombay Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Abstract
Acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation accounts for a substantial proportion of shoulder injuries, and chronic or neglected cases - where the coracoclavicular (CC) ligaments have lost healing potential - pose particular management challenges. Numerous surgical techniques exist, but many are limited by graft weakness, hardware complications, or cost. This study presents a technique for chronic AC joint reconstruction using synthetic tape combined with lateral clavicle excision. In this retrospective study, 11 patients with delayed presentation (≥6 weeks post-injury) and Rockwood grade 3-5 AC joint dislocation underwent surgery using a 30 cm × 5 mm Mersilene tape to reconstruct the CC ligaments, without fixation hardware or grafts, combined with lateral clavicle excision. Patients were assessed pre- and post-operatively using the AC joint instability (ACJI) score, visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, and Constant-Murley score, with follow-up to 2 years. Mean patient age was 46.6 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 3:1. The mean ACJI score improved from 63.7 pre-operatively to 81.4 at 2 years. VAS pain score improved from 6.41 pre-operatively to 2.68 at 6 months and 1.25 at 12 months. Constant-Murley score improved from 51 to 92.08 at 12 months. One patient had a 20% vertical clavicle displacement without clinical complaints; all other patients achieved stable, satisfactory outcomes in pain, cosmesis, and shoulder function. Unlike techniques reliant on graft healing or hardware fixation - which carry risks of graft weakening, stress fracture, or implant-related complications - this Mersilene tape technique avoids implant removal and provides durable mechanical support for CC ligament reconstruction. It offers a cost-effective alternative to imported graft materials while achieving comparable or superior functional outcomes. This synthetic tape-based technique for chronic AC joint reconstruction is rapid, reproducible, and cost-effective, providing durable and predictable clinical outcomes with low morbidity.
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BibTeX
@article{rathod2026innovative,
title = {{An Innovative Approach to Chronic and Neglected Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocation: A Cost-Effective and Reliable Solution.}},
author = {Vishal Rathod and Parag Munshi},
journal = {Journal of orthopaedic case reports},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.13107/jocr.2026.v16.i11.8554},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42997078},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - An Innovative Approach to Chronic and Neglected Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocation: A Cost-Effective and Reliable Solution.
AU - Vishal Rathod
AU - Parag Munshi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/01
JO - Journal of orthopaedic case reports
DO - 10.13107/jocr.2026.v16.i11.8554
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42997078
AB - Acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation accounts for a substantial proportion of shoulder injuries, and chronic or neglected cases - where the coracoclavicular (CC) ligaments have lost healing potential - pose particular management challenges. Numerous surgical techniques exist, but many are limited by graft weakness, hardware complications, or cost. This study presents a technique for chronic AC joint reconstruction using synthetic tape combined with lateral clavicle excision. In this retrospective study, 11 patients with delayed presentation (≥6 weeks post-injury) and Rockwood grade 3-5 AC joint dislocation underwent surgery using a 30 cm × 5 mm Mersilene tape to reconstruct the CC ligaments, without fixation hardware or grafts, combined with lateral clavicle excision. Patients were assessed pre- and post-operatively using the AC joint instability (ACJI) score, visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, and Constant-Murley score, with follow-up to 2 years. Mean patient age was 46.6 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 3:1. The mean ACJI score improved from 63.7 pre-operatively to 81.4 at 2 years. VAS pain score improved from 6.41 pre-operatively to 2.68 at 6 months and 1.25 at 12 months. Constant-Murley score improved from 51 to 92.08 at 12 months. One patient had a 20% vertical clavicle displacement without clinical complaints; all other patients achieved stable, satisfactory outcomes in pain, cosmesis, and shoulder function. Unlike techniques reliant on graft healing or hardware fixation - which carry risks of graft weakening, stress fracture, or implant-related complications - this Mersilene tape technique avoids implant removal and provides durable mechanical support for CC ligament reconstruction. It offers a cost-effective alternative to imported graft materials while achieving comparable or superior functional outcomes. This synthetic tape-based technique for chronic AC joint reconstruction is rapid, reproducible, and cost-effective, providing durable and predictable clinical outcomes with low morbidity.
SN - 2250-0685
SN - 2321-3817
ER -