The use of the LARS system in the treatment of AC joint instability – Long-term results after a mean of 7.4 years

Background The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is of great importance for shoulder stability and one of the most frequently injured regions of the shoulder. Hypothesis AC joint reconstruction with the ligament augmentation & reconstruction system (LARS™) leads to a good-to-excellent outcome at long-term follow-up. Patients and methods This study was performed as a retrospective single-centre data analysis of a level-I trauma centre. All patients treated operatively for an acute AC dislocation with the LARS™ between 2003 and 2013 were included. Results The study group consisted of three female (6%) and 44 male patients (94%) with an average age of 37 years and a minimum follow-up of two years. The overall mean clinical outcomes at latest follow-up were: Constant 93, DASH 2.64, ASES 96, SST 97, UCLA 34 and VAS 0.4–representing a good-to-excellent outcome in all patients. Overall, 45 patients (96%) reported to be very satisfied with the achieved result at latest follow-up. In five patients, (11%) complications occurred during the follow-up period, requiring surgical revision in four of the five patients (80%). Conclusion AC joint reconstruction with the LARS™ achieves good-to-excellent clinical and functional outcomes at long-term follow-up with a surgical revision rate of 8.5%. Level of evidence Retrospective follow-up study, case series, level IV.