抄録
(Purpose) We used Wolter clavicular plates for the surgical treatment of injury of the acromioclavicular lesion. This study introduces the technique, examines the postoperative results, and reports on the usefulness of this method.
(Materials and methods) Twenty-eight patients with injury of the acromioclavicular lesion who had been treated between September 1992 and June 1996 were used for this study. The subjects consisted of 25 males and 3 females, aged from 17-62, of whom 14 were injured on the right side and 14 on the left. Of the 28 patients,16 were classified as acromioclavicular dislocation of Toss's grade III,10 as distal end clavicle fractures, I as acromioclavicular dislocation with a coracoid process fracture, and I as a distal end clavicle fracture with an avulsion fracture of the coraco-clavicular ligament.
(Results) The patients conditions were followed-up over a period ranging from 9 months to 3 years and 8 months after the operation. The average Japan Orthopaedic Association's shoulder score was superior at 93.4 points at the time of evaluation. The results were thus excellent.
(Conclusion) Wolter clavicular plates are superior in the following three aspects. Firstly, unlike the Kirschner wire, Wolter clavicular plates, do not damage the acromioclavicular joint. Secondly, they firmly fix the acromioclavicular joint by leverage. Lastly, they enable the shoulder joint to be elevated by 140 degrees or more even during fixation with the plate due to their structure that does not restrict rotation of the clavicle.
