Arthroscopically Assisted En Bloc Resection of the Distal Clavicle in the Acromioclavicular Joint Lesion

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical results of arthroscopically assisted operation of the acromioclavicluar joint lesion with the rotator cuff lesion. Materials and Methods: We evaluated the clinical results in eighteen consecutive patients with osteoarthritis of the acromioclavicular joint and rotator cuff lesion, who were treated arthroscopically assisteded en bloc resection of the distal clavicle and arthroscopic acromioplasty. The average age of the patients at the time of operation was fifty six years. The average duration of follow-up was one year and ten months. The UCLA shoulder rating scale was used to evaluate the clinical results. Results: Pain score was improved from 2.1 1.1 preoperatively to 9.2 1.0 postoperatively. Function score was improved from 4.2 1.7 to 9.4 0.9, active forward flexion score, from 3.7 0.5 to 5 and strength score, from 4.0 0.9 to 4.9 0.2. On follow-up radiographic examination, there was no specific complication, including heterotopic ossification, remnant bony fragment of distal clavicle, and superior migration of the clavicle. Conclusion: It is considered that arthroscopically assisted en bloc resection of the distal clavicle and acromioplasty is recommendable method for symptomatic acromioclavicular joint lesion and rotator cuff lesion, which could get the satisfactory clinical results.