Summary
the patient’s posture during early postoperative rehabilitation did not affect the outcome regarding pain, function or the changes in the coracoclavicular distance
Abstract
Purpose
Coracoclavicular(CC) distance rewidening is commonly reported finding after arthroscopic treatment of Acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation. We aim to compare the effect of the patient’s posture (erect or supine) during the rehabilitation sessions on the pain, function and the CC distance.
Methods
60 patients with acute AC dislocation injury type III and IV were randomly allocated in two groups according to their posture during the rehabilitation phase (Supine Rehabilitation Group or Erect Rehabilitation Group), arthroscopic stabilization with TightRope was used for all the patients. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Constant-Murley Score (CMS), and coracoclavicular (CC) distance were assessed preoperatively and after 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively.
Results
no significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of the VAS, CMS scores, and CC distance changes. A significant improvement over the follow-up phase in the VAS and CMS of both groups. The CC distance in both groups was significantly reduced from the preoperative (29.34 mm in the ERG and 28.65 mm in the SRG) to the first postoperative day (10.44 mm in the ERG and 10.11 mm in the SRG). However, a statistically significant rewidening in the CC distance after 6 months (13.55 mm for the ERG and 13.50 mm for the SRG) and 12 months (15.51 for the ERG and 15.80 for the SRG, P<0.001).
Conclusion
The patient’s posture during early postoperative rehabilitation did not affect the outcome regarding pain, function or the changes in the coracoclavicular distance.
Level of Evidence: I