[Open lateral clavicle resection in acromioclavicular osteoarthritis: favourable results after 1 year].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the follow-up outcomes of open lateral clavicle resection 1 year postoperatively in patients with acromioclavicular osteoarthritis. The operation involves resection of a small part of the lateral clavicle. DESIGN: Prospective descriptive. METHOD: Data were collected from all patients who had undergone an open lateral clavicle resection in the period July 1999 to June 2008 and who were examined preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively. This concerned 23 operations in 22 patients. The Constant score for the functionality of the shoulder was determined and visual analogue scales (VAS) were used to determine the pain and satisfaction concerning the operated shoulder. The results were evaluated with the paired t-test and the non-parametric Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: The mean length of the lateral clavicle resection was 7.8 mm. Preoperatively the mean Constant score was 64 (SD: 14) and 1 year after the operation 86 (SD: 14; p < 0.001). Ninety-one percent had an increase in the postoperative Constant score compared with the preoperative score. The median VAS score for pain decreased from 70 (95% CI: 60-77) preoperatively to 25 (0-48) 1 year postoperatively (p < 0.001). The median VAS score for satisfaction increased from 40 (40-50) preoperatively to 85 (68-100) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The open lateral clavicle resection was a treatment option to reduce the symptoms in patients with acromioclavicular osteoarthritis in whom conservative treatment and medication proved to be insufficient