The hook plate (Best Ltd. ) was used for the patients with acute acromioclavicular dislocation in twelve patients. The average age of the patients was 31.9 years old (range 20 to 58 years old). All patients were male. Eight patients showed a Rockwood type III dislocation, and four showed a Rockwood type IV intheir initial Xrays. The surgical procedure involved removal of the distal end of the clavicle and reduction of the AC joint with the hook plate without transposition of the coracoacromial ligament. Postoperatively, all patients were encouraged to use the arm as normally as possible, but were discouraged from overhead work and sports. The plate was removed after 3 months. The mean follow-up was 22 months. Overall subjective satisfaction was good in all cases. In the operated shoulder with the hook plate, the average flexion was 127 (80-160) and external rotation at side was 77 (60-80). After the plate removal, the average flexion was 166(150-170), and the average external rotation at side was 83(70-90). There was a mean of 1.4 (0-5) mm of correction loss in X-rays between the shoulder with a hook plate and the shoulder after the plate removal. The hook plate provides secure anatomic reduction and early return to daily living without immobilization. After the plate removal, the shoulder without the coracoacromial ligament transfer did not show a significant correction loss of the AC joint.
