Clinical Comparison of Two Types of Hook Plate in Surgical Treatment of Acromioclavicular Dislocation: AO Hook Plate and Wolter Plate

Objective: To evaluate if acromial locking in hook plate is necessary for surgical treatment of acromioclavicular dislocation by compare Wolter plate and AO hook plate. Methods: Seventy one patients who have Rockwood type III to V acromioclavicular joint dislocation treated with AO hook plate and Wolter plate were involved. Among them, 39 patients were treated with Wolter hook plate and 32 patients with AO hook plate. The Constant-Murley score and the range of motion of shoulder joint were measured on postoperative 1st , 3 rd , 6 th and 12 th months, and the radiological complications involving plate and bone were investigated. Results: Constant-Murley score of postoperative one year were 83.2 6.8 in AO hook plate group and 85.2 5.3 in Wolter plate group without statistical difference (p<0.05). Faster recover of forward elevation and external rotation were examined in Wolter plate group at first and third months after surgery than those of AO hook plate group, but there were no significant difference between after six months or later after surgery. Four cases of loosen or broken screws and one case of pull-out of plate were found in Wolter plate group. Seven cases of subacromial bony erosion and one periprosthetic fracture were found in AO hook plate group. Conclusion: Although clinical outcomes of both two methods were same, no matter if acromial locking system was or not. More radiological complication of plate and bone were found in AO hook plate than that of Wolter plate. However also had disadvantage like larger incision during surgery. Key Word: Acromioclavicular dislocation, AO Hook plate, Wolter plate, Acromial locking