Treatment of acromiocravicular dislocation is controversial. Open reduction is usually indicated for grade 3 injury in young patients and athletes. We have previously reported that modified Phemister procedure (P method) produced satisfactory results. We also performed modified Bosworth procedure (B method) in 15 cases.
In this study, we assessed the clinical and roentgenographical results of B method compared with P method.
All 15 patients treated by B method were men, their average age at time of operation was 27 years. The length of follow-up averaged 3 years and 9 months. Clinically we evaluated pain, deformity, range of motion, and fatigability. Radiographically we clasified the results as reduction, subluxation, and dislocation. The patients treated by P method were evaluated in the same way as in B method.
The clinical results of B method were as good as those of P method. There were 5 cases of subluxation in patients treated by B method,3 of which were caused by displacement of the screw. Osteoarthritic changes were obseved in 2 patients, the incidence being about the same as in the P method group. It is very important to insert the screw in the proper position of the coracoid process to achieve a stable fixation.
