The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical results of acromioclavicular (AC) joint reconstruction. The charts of 196 patients who underwent AC joint reconstruction were reviewed retrospectively. They were classified into 3 types as described by Tossy. Demographic data, pre & postop clinical findings were described. The site of screw insertion and sternoclavicular angle (SCA) were noted on x-rays. The average age of patients was 37.9 years old with an average follow-up of 9.6 months.6 in Type I,8 in Type II & 154 in Type III. At follow-up 82.7% (139) had good to excellent results while 17.3% had slight dysfunction and persistent pain. Of the 196 patients 168 underwent a Dewar procedure while 5 underwent pinning of the AC joint and 23 had resection done. In the good to excellent group, x-rays showed the screw was at the conoid tubercle of the clavicle in 84.2%of 139 patients while in 17.2% the screw was not and belong to the group with poor results. The SCA increased by an average of 7.8 in the former but only 4.1 in the latter. The success rate of AC joint reconstruction was 82.7% using the Dewar procedure. Screw placement and SCA were related to a good outcome.
