A surgical technique for revision of failed acromioclavicular joint reconstruction

Abstract

There is no "gold standard" technique for the surgical stabilization of acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) disruptions and each of the described techniques has a failure rate. The management of failed ACJ stabilizations is a difficult problem and salvage procedures may often be constrained by the original procedure and the resultant anatomy. Reliable anatomic and biomechanically robust revision procedures for failed ACJ stabilization are therefore required. We describe a technique for revision stabilization of the ACJ that utilizes a synthetic ligament in combination with augmentation from the coracoacromial ligament and biceps short head aponeurosis ("biceps flip" procedure).