Arthroscopic treatment of distal clavicle fractures: a technical note.

This article describes a new technique for the arthroscopic treatment of distal clavicle fractures. This technique requires the use of posterior and anterior standard arthroscopic portals. The base of the coracoid process is exposed through the rotator interval. The ancillary system drill guide is placed at the undersurface of the coracoid process. A small incision is performed above the clavicular body and the corresponding part of the guide is pushed down to the clavicle. A 4-mm hole is drilled through the clavicle and the coracoid process. A double button device is pushed through both the holes. The first button is pushed below the coracoid. The device is tightened and the second button is fixed on top of the clavicular cortical bone, allowing reduction and fixation of the fracture. Four patients treated with this technique were evaluated at 6 months postoperatively. All patients showed bony union and a full recovery of the shoulder function. The technique provides firm fixation of fractures of the distal clavicle.