Method and apparatus for internal fixation of an acromioclavicular joint dislocation of the shoulder

Abstract

An apparatus for surgically reducing and internally fixing a shoulder acromioclavicular joint dislocation. The apparatus preferably comprises a button and a washer, the washer being flexibly secured to the coracoid process of the scapula by means of a bone screw, the button and washer being secured together by means of a first suture. A second suture is provided and secured between the button and a needle, such that the needle and associated button, may be advanced through a hole drilled through the clavicle. The button and the washer may then be tightened, reducing the coracoclavicular distance, by means of the first suture connected therebetween, to reduce and hold a desired acromioclavicular joint dislocation.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for use in internal fixation of acromioclavicular joint dislocations of a shoulder, the shoulder including a clavicle, a coracoid process and an acromium, the apparatus comprising:
 a first suture anchor;   a second suture anchor, the first and second suture anchors being adapted for engagement in or on the clavicle and the coracoid process, respectively;   a flexible coupling mountable, in use, between the first and second suture anchors; and   a needle releasably securable to at least one of the first and second suture anchors, in which the first and second suture anchors each have at least first and second apertures and the flexible coupling is a first suture which is double looped through the first and second suture anchors.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , in which the flexible coupling is a first suture which is fed, in use, through a first aperture of the second suture anchor, and through, in turn, the second and first apertures of the first suture anchor and through, in turn, second and first apertures of the second suture anchor, and through, in turn the second and first apertures of the first suture anchor and through the second aperture of the second suture anchor. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , in which the needle is secured to at least one of the first and second suture anchors by means of a second suture looped through one of the first or second apertures of at least one of the first and second suture anchors and operatively associated with the needle. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , in which the first suture anchor comprises a button and the second suture anchor comprises a washer, the washer being adapted and dimensioned to engage with a bone anchor. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , in which the first suture anchor is a button having an oblong body and first and second apertures and the second suture anchor is a washer adapted to engage with a bone anchor and having at least two, preferably at least four, peripheral apertures. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , in which the first suture is fed through a first peripheral aperture of the washer and through, in turn, the second and first apertures of the button and through, in turn, second and third peripheral apertures of the washer, and through, in turn the second and first apertures of the button and through the fourth peripheral aperture of the washer. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for use in internal fixation of acromioclavicular joint dislocations of a shoulder, the shoulder including a clavicle, a coracoid process and an acromium, the apparatus comprising:
 a first member;   a second member, the first and second members being adapted for engagement in or on the clavicle and the coracoid, respectively; and   a flexible coupling between the first and second members, the flexible coupling comprising a suture strand which is double looped through the first and second members.